Breeding from your mare is both an exciting and anxious time. It is important that you are able to recognise the start of foaling (labour) and its different stages. You can then enjoy the experience, reassured that you know what to do if problems occur. Difficult foalings are not common but you need to be able to act quickly if the mare is not making progress.How long is pregnancy?
In horses the average pregnancy (gestation period) is 342 days (approximately 11 months) but can range between 321 and 365 days. In other words normal foals can be born up to 3 weeks late. In contrast to humans, it is rarely necessary for mares to be induced because they are overdue - you will just have to be patient!
How can I prepare for birth?
Your mare
During pregnancy your mare will require special attention. Ensure that her feet are trimmed regularly and do not allow her to become overweight. Regular paddock exercise in late pregnancy is essential. For the last three months she will need to be fed a purpose made stud-mix or stud cubes which, along with good hay or grass, will provide all the nutrients she needs. Resist the temptation to feed a 'home mixed' diet.
For more information on the care of in-foal mares see Factsheet No .7 'Looking after Mum'.We strongly recommend that all pregnant mares are vaccinated against Equine Herpesvirus (EHV or virus abortion) at 5, 7 and 9 months.
It is good practice for your mare to have booster vaccinations against 'flu and tetanus one month before foaling. This ensures her first milk (colostrum) contains high levels of antibodies, which will provide instant protection for the foal against these diseases in the first few weeks of life. It is extremely important that the foal receives the colostrum. Therefore if milk is seen dripping from the udder before foaling, collect it in a clean container and freeze it. This will then need to be given to the foal by bottle or stomach tube in the first six hours after birth.
Some mares will have had their vulva stitched after covering to prevent infection of the uterus during pregnancy. It will be necessary for us to open the vulva surgically at least two weeks before the anticipated foaling date. This is a simple procedure done under a local anaesthetic.
Mares that have never foaled before should be accustomed to having their udder and teats handled by gently stroking them every day for the last few weeks.
Where to foal
Move your mare to the foaling premises at least six weeks before she is due to foal. Provide a clean safe environment, preferably a large loose box bedded with clean straw. Alternatively, although less ideal as supervision is less easy, use a small clean grassy paddock. Make sure that the fencing is non-hazardous for mares and newborn foals, and that there are no ditches, ponds or wet areas.Have a watch, pen and paper ready to accurately record the time of each stage of labour. This information is important in the, thankfully, rare event that veterinary assistance is needed later.
You will need to bandage your mare's tail with a clean bandage to keep the tail hairs out of the way.
How will I know when my mare is starting to foal?
There are important clues that can alert you to the approach of foaling. However some mares will only show a few of these signs and some will show none at all. The first signs can appear several days and even weeks before actual delivery
- The udder begins to fill with milk up to 2-4 weeks before foaling, so watch for any signs of enlargement
- Relaxation of the birth opening (vulva) and birth canal (pelvic canal/ligaments), making the mares tail head more pronounced and the vulval lips longer, can occur a few days before foaling
- Enlargement of the teats occurs 4-6 days before foaling
- A clear waxy secretion ('waxing') on the teats can appear 1-4 days before foaling and is usually a good sign of imminent birth. Occasionally dripping milk will be seen
- Your mare may be nervous and restless, and show signs similar to mild colic
Most mares foal at night or in the early hours of the morning so be prepared for some sleepless nights!
Does a vet need to be present?Most mares foal without assistance and it is not necessary for a vet to be present unless problems occur. Foaling is a rapid process and difficulties arise quickly. It is essential that you detect the signs of abnormality promptly. However do not interfere excessively during the early stages of labour - watch quietly from a distance.
If you have no prior experience of foaling, ask an experienced friend to help you, or consider sending your mare to a stud farm to foal. It is safe to transport mares in late pregnancy although they should be given at least 4-6 weeks to adjust to their new environment.
What happens during foaling?
Foaling is divided into three stages.
STAGE 1 - LABOUR BEGINS
Contractions of the uterus (womb) begin. The aim of these contractions is to move the foal into the birth canal, which opens ready for the foal to pass through. Signs you may observe are
- Restlessness
- Signs like colic e.g. looking at the flank, pawing the ground
- Sweating
- Frequent passage of small quantities of faeces
This stage can last about an hour. Do not disturb the mare during this time. Have a few people as present as possible. Stage 1 ends with the 'breaking of the waters' which flow out of the vulva, and the appearance of a whitish portion of afterbirth protruding from the vulva. Note the time when the 'waters' break.
STAGE 2 - THE BIRTH OF THE FOAL
This stage is remarkably short, lasting about 30 minutes. If it takes longer let us know straight away.
The mare will lie down and have strong belly contractions that push the foal down the birth canal. The foal normally comes through the vulva in the following order:
- Front feet first, one slightly in front of the other, hooves facing down
- Then the nose, head, neck, shoulders etc.
- The foal is usually delivered lying on its side. It lays still for a little while after expulsion with the hindlegs up to hock level still inside the vulva, and the umbilical cord still intact
- If the foal is not coming in this sequence let us know immediately
Do not intervene when the foal is delivered unless there is something wrong (see below).
The foal will be covered by the birth membranes (amnion) which often break at the moment of delivery and which the mare will lick and nibble off. This is an important in the bonding process between the mare and foal and also stimulates the foal to breathe, stand and suck.
If the membrane is covering the foal's muzzle and the mare does not clean it away immediately, you must remove it and clear the foal's nostrils of any mucus so that it can breathe freely.
Watch carefully for normal breathing.
The umbilical cord attaching the foal to the mare usually breaks when the foal struggles to its feet or the mare stands up. It is preferable to allow it to break naturally so do not break it yourself or disturb the mare so that it breaks early. The umbilical stump (foal's navel) will need to be treated with an antiseptic several times during the first 24 hours of life to prevent infection. Ask us for an appropriate product to use.
STAGE 3 - THE AFTERBIRTH IS EXPELLED
This can last 1-2 hours but usually occurs within one hour of foaling. The mare may be mildly colicky as she expels the afterbirth. If it has not been expelled within 3 hours contact us and tie up with string any membranes which are hanging from the vulva so that the mare does not tear them or step on them.
Keep the afterbirth in a bucket for us to inspect later as it can often provide us with valuable information about the birth. If some of the afterbirth is retained within the mare this can lead to serious post-foaling problems such as womb infections (metritis) and laminitis.
What are the signs that something is wrong?
Foaling difficulties occur in only 4-6% of births. These can be life threatening to the mare and foal and can also prevent her having further successful pregnancies.
Signs to look for
- Prolonged stage 1 or particularly stage 2. If either of these stages is prolonged by even a short amount of time there is much less chance of having a healthy foal. If the mare is not making obvious progress within 30 minutes of the appearance of the initial part of the membranes at the vulva something is wrong
- Incorrect presentation of the foal.
How do I care for the newborn foal?
Remember that foaling is a natural process and try to intervene as little as possible. This is especially important with maiden (first foaling) or nervous mares. Give the mare and foal time to rest and establish a strong maternal bond. Disturb them as little as possible e.g. there is not need to dry the foal or handle it any way. If you must be with them do not put yourself between the mare and foal.
The foal should be standing within 1-2 hours of birth, and sucking with 1-3 hours. If the foal takes longer that this it may be a sign that something is wrong so please contact us.
The foal should urinate and pass its first droppings (meconium) during the first day. Sometimes the foal will strain a little to pass the meconium but if it fails to do so it may need our assistance to enable it to be passed.
We recommend you contact us in the first day of life to arrange an examination of the foal to ensure it is healthy and that no deformities are present. We will usually give the foal an anti-tetanus injection at this time. At the same time we will check the mare to ensure her genital tract has suffered no ill-effects from the birth process.
What follow-up care does my mare need?
Watch her carefully for any abnormal signs such a colic, lack of interest in or rejection of the foal, profuse bloody discharge from her vulva, inability or reluctance to stand, or loss of appetite.
Provide your mare with good quality hay, stud cubes or stud mix, and grass to encourage her milk production. Check her udder for signs of mastitis (heat, swelling, pain) or inadequate milk production
The foal will suck at least four times per hour in the first week of life. Between bouts of sucking it will sleep or explore its environment. Decreased frequency or cessation of sucking is an early warning of a sick foal and should be watched for.
DISCLAIMER
This factsheet is intended for use by registered clients of EqWest only. The advice offered is general advice only. EqWest clients who wish to discuss the individual circumstances of their horse should contact the Clinic.
To speak to a vet please phone between 8.30 - 9.30 am on weekday mornings.
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