Foaling Mare and Newborn
Preparing For A Safe And Successful Foal Delivery
Caring For The Foaling Mare And Newborn
If your mare has made it through 11 months of pregnancy, you're almost
home free. Labor and delivery, while momentous, are generally uneventful.
In most cases, you will simply need to be a quiet observer--if, that is,
you are lucky enough to witness the birth. Mares seem to prefer to
foal at night in privacy, and apparently have some control over their delivery.
Despite your frequent visits to the barn, your mare may give birth the
minute you step away. While this is disappointing, don't worry.
She is unlikely to need your help anyway. However, in case problems
arise, it is advisable to have your veterinarian's telephone number nearby.
A Safe Place To Foal
What your mare will need, however, is a clean, safe, quiet place
to foal. Horses have been giving birth on the open range for eons,
and this is still an acceptable choice. Allowing the mare to foal
in the pasture even has some advantages. An open grassy area is likely
to be cleaner than a stall and provides a healthy environment with adequate
room to foal. You won't have to worry about the mare crowding into
a corner or foaling too close to a wall. However, many owners prefer
to confine the mare to observe her progress.
Should you choose to foal your mare in a stall, provide on that is
a minimum of 14' X 14'. If possible, the stall should have a floor
that can be readily cleaned and disinfected. Dirt or clay floors
make sanitation more difficult. Also, provide adequate clean bedding.
Straw (particularly wheat straw) is preferable to shavings, as it won't
cling to the wet newborn or mare the way small wood particles can.
Remove manure and soiled bedding promptly, and disinfect the stall between
deliveries.
The Countdown
Mares provide clues that they will soon give birth. However, the
timetable is far from absolute. Some mares may show all the signs
like clockwork; others show practically none. The following is a
general guideline, but be prepared for surprises:
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The mare's udder begins filling with milk 2-4 weeks prior to foaling
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The muscles of the vulva and croup relax. The tailhead may become
more prominent a few days prior to foaling.
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The teats become engorged 4-6 days prior to foaling.
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"Waxing" of the teats occur. (A yellowish, honey-like secretion (colostrum)
appears 1-4 days prior to foaling. The secretion may drip, and the
udder may even drip milk several days prior to birth.)
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The mare becomes anxious and restless. She may appear to be colicky.
She may kick at her belly, pace, lie down and get up, look or bite at her
flanks, and sweat. She may frequently raise her tail and urinate.
Generally, this is the first stage of labor. (However, be aware that colic
remains a possibility. If such behavior is prolonged for more than
an hour or two without progress towards foaling, contact your veterinarian.)
Preparing For Birth
Most mares foal without difficulty. It usually is best to allow
the mare to foal undisturbed and unassisted. If a problem becomes
apparent, contact your veterinarian immediately.
What can you do:
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Write down your veterinarian's phone number well in advance of the birth
and keep it by all phones.
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Keep a watch or clock on hand so you can time each stage of labor.
When you're worried or anxious, your perception of time becomes distorted.
The watch will help you keep accurate track of the mare's progress during
labor. Take written notes so that you won't have to rely on memory
alone.
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Wrap the mare's tail with a clean wrap when you observe the first stage
of labor. Be sure that the wrap is not applied too tightly or left
on too long, as it can cut off circulation and permanently damage the tail.
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Wash the mare's vulva and hindquarters with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.
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Clean and disinfect the stall as thoroughly as possible. Provide
adequate bedding.
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Test strips that measure calcium in mammary secretions are available commercially.
These strips aid the owner in predicting when the mare will foal because
sudden increases in calcium are associated with imminent foaling.
Understanding Labor & Delivery
Labor is divided into three stages:
Stage One begins with the onset of contractions and generally
lasts 1-2 hours. During this phase, contractions move the foal through
the cervix and into position in the birth canal. The fetal membranes
(allantois) may become visible at the mare's vulva. When the sac
breaks, signaled by a rush of fluid, stage one ends.
Stage Two is the actual expulsion of the foal. This phase
moves relatively quickly. If it takes more than 30 minutes for the
mare to deliver, there could be a problem. Call you veterinarian
immediately. If labor seems to be progressing, wait and watch.
Even in a normal delivery, the mare may stand up, lie down, and roll several
times in an effort to properly position the foal for delivery.
Normal presentation of the foal resembles a diving position, with front
feet first, one slightly ahead of the other, hooves down, followed closely
by the nose, head, neck, shoulders, and hindquarters. If you notice
hoof soles up, the foal may be backwards or upside down, and you should
call your veterinarian immediately. If you suspect any deviation
from the normal delivery position, call your equine practitioner.
Stage Three labor begins after delivery and is the phase during
which the afterbirth (placenta) is expelled. Most placentas are passed
within 1-3 hours after the foal is delivered. If the placenta has
not passed within 3 hours, call your veterinarian. A retained placenta
can cause serious problems, including massive infection and laminitis.
Postpartum Care For Mare and Foal
In the excitement of birth, it is important to remember some tried and
true guidelines:
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Allow the foal time to break the fetal membranes. Once the foal breaks
through, be sure it is breathing.
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Generally, it is not recommended to cut or break the umbilical cord.
If it has not broken during delivery, it will usually break when the mare
or foal gets up. The cord should break at a site approximately one
inch from the foal's abdomen, where the cord's diameter is slightly narrower
than the remainder of the cord. If it is necessary to manually separate
the cord, it should be held firmly on either side of the intended break
site, then twisted and pulled to separate. (NEVER CUT THE CORD!)
Twisting and pulling of the cord stimulate closure of the umbilical vessels
and reduce the likelihood of hemorrhage from the cord stump. If bleeding
persists following cord separation, pressure can be applied to the stump
for several minutes by squeezing with a thumb and finger.
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Encourage the mare and foal to rest as long as possible. Give them
an opportunity to bond undisturbed.
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Treat the umbilical cord with an antiseptic solution, recommended by your
veterinarian, soon after the cord breaks and for several days thereafter
to prevent bacterial infection.
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Observe the mare and foal closely for the next 24 hours.
Importance Of Observation
Following birth of the foal, the mare and foal should be monitored for
the following:
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Foal is breathing normally.
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Foal is bright and alert to its new surroundings. The foal should
make attempts to rise within 30 minutes following its birth.
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Mare is non-aggressive, curious, and accepting of her newborn. (Occasionally
a mare will reject her foal. In such a case, the foal should be removed
and reintroduced with the mare under restraint. Foal rejection is
more common in maiden mares.)
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Foal should stand and nurse within 2 hours of birth. If the foal
has not nursed within 3 hours, call your veterinarian. The foal may
be weak and in need of assistance or medical attention.
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Foal should pass meconium (the first sticky, dark stool) within 12 hours
after birth. If not, an enema may be needed.
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Mare should be bright and alert. Allow her to eat as soon as she
is ready, and supply plenty of clean, fresh water.
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Once the placenta has been expelled, examine it to make sure it is intact.
The afterbirth will be Y-shaped and should have only the hole through which
the foal emerged.
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If you suspect the mare has retained part of the placenta, call your veterinarian.
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You may wish to check the mare's temperature and other vital signs periodically
within the first 24 hours to make sure they are normal. An elevated
temperature may indicate infection (normal is 100.5*)
Importance Of Colostrum
It is essential that the foal receive an adequate supply of colostrum.
Colostrum, the mare's first milk, is extremely rich in antibodies.
It provides the foal with passive immunity to help prevent disease until
its own immune system kicks in.
A foal must receive colostrum within the first 8-12 hours of life in
order to absorb the antibodies. If a foal is too weak to nurse, it
may be necessary to milk the mare and give the colostrum to the foal via
a stomach tube.
If a mare appears to be leaking an excessive amount of milk prior to
birth, consult your veterinarian. This pre-foaling milk is not typically
colostrum-rich. However, depending on your veterinarian's recommendation,
the mare may be milked and the colostrum frozen to give to the foal shortly
after birth. For orphan foals, or mares without an adequate supply
of colostrum, it is important to locate a back-up supply. Without
it, the foal is at an increased risk of infections. Your veterinarian
can test the colostrum to determine whether it is rich in antibodies.
Also, the foal's serum can be tested at 18-24 hours of age to evaluate
IgG antibody levels. If IgG is inadequate, treatment for Failure
of Passive Transfer (FPT) should be instituted by your veterinarian.
Other Foaling Caveats
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If a mare appears to require assistance during foaling, call your veterinarian.
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If you suspect a problem during the foaling process (such as a foal which
is not in the normal birth position), call your veterinarian immediately.
If caught early enough in labor, your veterinarian may be able to reposition
the foal for a normal delivery. Remember, a prompt delivery is crucial
to the health of the newborn foal.
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Unless it is a dire emergency, do NOT try to pull a foal. An exception
to this rule might include a backwards presentation, because the foal can
suffocate unless delivered promptly. Under No Circumstances should
you ever pull with anything more than your mown muscle power, and pull
ONLY during a contraction (when the mare is straining). Improper
pulling risks damage to the mare's reproductive tract, injury to the foal,
and premature separation of the umbilical cord, which will deprive the
foal of oxygen.
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Many foals begin life with weak legs. Don't be overly concerned if
the baby is down in the pasterns and fetlocks for the first day or two
of life. The will generally straighten up. However, if you
see extreme deviations of limbs or note other physical problems, or the
condition persists, consult your veterinarian.
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It is always a good idea to have your veterinarian do a post-partum examination
of both the mare and foal, as well as the placenta.
A Final Note
Nature has provided an efficient system for the mare to deliver and
care for her young. Be a prepared and informed owner so you can enjoy
the miracle of birth, keep your anxiety in check, and help the new mother
and foal get off to a great start.
This information developed by the American Association
of Equine Practitioners through a grant from Bayer Corporation.
copyright@1996,1998 Bayer Corporation