Foaling is an exciting time!  If this is the first time you have had an in foal mare, it can all seem a little daunting, so we’ve compiled some lists of useful information below.  Be assured that most mares will foal without needing any help and most will  be wonderful mothers.  The majority of foals will be born between the hours of 6.00 at night and 6.00 in the morning so as amazing as it is to watch, it takes quite some dedication to get to see the birth.

Pregnancy

The gestation length for mares is 11 months  (343 days).

Keep up to date with her hoof care and drenching (but make sure you use a drench suitable for pregnant mares)

Throughout pregnancy non-strenuous exercise is good for mares.

By the 7^th month the fetus is only about 17% of its birth weight, so your mare is not feeding for two most of the time.

The last 2 ½ months most important nutritionally for the mare as significant foal growth occurs in this time.

Ready for labour:

Make sure your mare has a suitable foaling area whether in a stall or in a paddock

Have emergency numbers handy

Have torches with fresh batteries

If possible arrange to have an alternative source of colostrum available

Have clean dry towels and blankets on hand

 Getting close to labour:

Signs that your mare is getting close to labour can include her udder ‘bagging’ up and/or milk leaking or ‘wax’ on teats.  But be aware that some mares may show no obvious signs of getting close to labour.

Leave your mare undisturbed unless there are problems

Some people will wrap the mare’s tail – but if she is not used to this she will probably be happier with it unwrapped (you can wash it later)

Signs of labour:

Milk leaking or wax on teats

Pawing/restlessness

Sweating

Lying down and getting up

Looking at her sides and swishing her tail

Things to look out for:

Correct birth presentation – you should see two front feet and a nose.  If you see a birth presentation other than this or any of the things listed below, call a vet:

Mare seems upset and wants to roll

Stained amniotic fluid indicates that the foal is stressed

Placenta comes first

Prolapsed uterus – the uterus protrudes out from the mare after foaling

Normal ranges for a newborn foal:

Heart rate: 60 – 120 beats per minute (should be 80 – 100 beats per minute by 24 hours old)

Breathing: 40 – 60 breaths per minute (around 30 breaths per minute by 24 hours old)

Temperature: 37 – 39°C

Suckle reflex (feeding motions with the mouth as opposed to actually feeding) should be evident within 10 minutes of birth

Colostrum

This is the mare’s first milk and this is in her udder for the first 24 – 48 hours.  It contains protective antibodies which the foal’s gut is able to absorb for the first 24 hours after birth, so it is vital that the foal has access to and receives colostrum during this time.

A healthy foal will try and stand within the first hour after birth and most commonly within 15 – 20 minutes after birth.  The foal will then attempt to latch on to his mother and feed.  The foal may not feed for very long – the most important thing is that he latches on and receives some colostrum.

As a rough guide, a healthy foal should stand within the first hour, feed within the first two hours and pass meconium (first bowel movement) within three hours of being born.

Normal for a foal:

Bonding with its mother

Frequent enthusiastic nursing

Lots of short sleeps

Clear watery urine, thick dark meconium initially followed by regular bowel movements

Normal for mare:

May seem tired, but still responsive

Aware of an attentive to foal including licking, sniffing and behaving protectively

Normal to large appetite