Foaling Information Dr. Estelle E. Felarise Greene, Lewis and Associates, Inc.

Foaling Information

Dr. Estelle E. FelariseGreene, Lewis and Associates,

Inc.

Preparing for your newborn foal

Bedding

Navel Dip

Placenta

Thermometer

Enema

Parturition Normal gestation for a mare ranges

from 320-370 days, with the average being 340 days (see the foaling chart for estimated due date).

Mares are normally very efficient with delivery and equally as secretive.

Stages of Parturition

Normally last 1 to 4 hours.

It contains the initial uterine contractions and the final positioning of the foal for delivery.

Stage I

Stages of Parturition

Typically the mare will exhibit the following behavior: Restlessness Pawing Getting up and down Sweating Urinating frequently

Stage I cont.

Stages of Parturition

At this point the mare can be prepared for foaling by:

Washing the mare’s vulva and udder with warm water

Wrapping her tail with a clean bandage

Stage I cont.

Stages of Parturition

This is the most critical time, when the foal actually appears.

If foaling is proceeding normally, the mare should be left alone.

In this stage hard labor and the foal delivery is usually completed within 10 to 30 minutes.

The mare will experience heavy abdominal contractions and lie flat on her side.

Her water bag will appear and should break on its own during the first part of Stage II.

Stage II

Stages of Parturition

In the normal presentation: Both front feet with the heels down will

appear first and usually one foot will be slightly ahead of the other.

The feet are followed by the nose and head resting between the knees.

If this is not what is observed, please call your veterinarian.

The mare may rest at this time before the shoulders followed by the hips are delivered.

Stage II cont.

Stages of Parturition

Once the foal is born patience is critical.

Its important to allow the mare to lie as long as possible to prevent early cord rupture.

Stage II ends following the birth when the umbilical cord is broken as the mare stands or the foal struggles.

Stage II cont.

Stages of Parturition

The delivery of the placenta (afterbirth). These membranes should be expelled 3

to 4 hours after the birth In our climate please call your veterinarian if

the placenta has not passed at this time. Save the placenta to be examined by your

veterinarian. The foal’s nursing helps stimulate uterine

contractions aiding in the placental release.

Stage III

If you are present at the foaling

Picture of a normal presentation of a foal

Pictorial Foaling Process

As the mare begins to push, one front foot should appear out of the vaginal opening.

Pictorial Foaling Process

The nose, shoulders and hips appear. This is the amnion covering the foal.

Pictorial Foaling Process

The mare should pass the placenta within 3 to 4 hours after foaling.

Call your Veterinarian if: Dystocia or no progression from one

stage of the foaling process to next within a 15 minute interval.

Red bag

Severe bleeding from the mare.

Mare exhibits any vaginal discharge prior to foaling.

Placenta is retained for more than 3-4 hours in warm weather.

Call your veterinarian to Discuss

Dystocia is an abnormal or difficult birth

Call your Veterinarian if: If you see any deviation from normal

foaling position. Such as:

Call your Veterinarian if:

Abnormal foaling presentations continued:

This is a true breech position

Red Bag

Red bag is premature placental separation. When this happens the foal is no longer getting oxygen from the placenta and the foal must be delivered as soon as possible.

Vaginal Discharge

If your mare exhibits any vaginal discharge before parturition please call your veterinarian.

The discharge could be due to a possible placentitis (infection of the placenta).

This is not detrimental to the mare but can cause infection in the unborn foal or premature delivery of the foal.

After the Birth

The umbilical cord should break as the mare or foal begin to rise. The foal’s umbilical stump should be treated with either tincture of iodine or dilute betadine after this occurs.

The foal should rise and nurse within 2 to 4 hours, most stand and nurse within one hour.

An enema should be administered after the foal is up and nursing.

Neonatal and Mare Exam

The mare and foal should be examined by a veterinarian within 12 to 18 hours of the birth.

The mare’s perineal area and cervix should be examined for any tears or abnormalities.

At the time of the exam, the veterinarian will administer antibiotics, tetanus antitoxin and pull blood to test the IgG levels on the foal.

Causes for Concern with New Foals

Depression or lack of appetite

Straining to defecate

Lameness

Swollen umbilicus

Elevated Temperature (>102.5 °F)

Please call your veterinarian if any of the above signs are

observed.