Foaling
Understanding the signs of impending foaling and the normal stages of labour can help you recognise when your mare needs veterinary assistance.
Most mares foal without complications, but when problems occur, they can become emergencies very quickly. Make sure you have your vet’s emergency telephone number available and contact them immediately if you are concerned about the mare’s progress.
Signs of impending foaling
Signs that your mare may be approaching foaling include:
Ventral oedema or swelling beneath the abdomen
Increasing udder development
Waxing-up, where beads of colostrum appear on the teats
Elongation and relaxation of the vulva
Relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and muscles around the tail head
Changes in behaviour, including restlessness or seeking isolation
Predicting exactly when a mare will foal can be challenging, as the signs and their timing vary considerably between individuals. Foaling alarms and cameras can be useful when monitoring mares close to their due dates, but they should support rather than replace regular physical checks.
Changes in the electrolytes and pH of the mare’s mammary secretions may also help indicate that foaling is approaching. In many mares, these values change approximately 24–72 hours before delivery. However, no individual test can predict the timing of foaling with complete accuracy.
stage one: preparation for delivery
Typical duration: up to 12 hours
During the first stage of labour, the foal moves into the correct position for delivery and the mare’s cervix begins to dilate.
The mare may:
Become restless or unsettled
Look repeatedly at her flanks
Sweat
Walk around her stable or paddock
Get up and down frequently
Paw the ground
Raise her tail
Urinate or pass droppings more frequently
Show mild signs resembling colic
Separate herself from other horses
These signs may be subtle or intermittent, particularly if the mare feels that she is being watched.
Contact your vet if the mare appears to be in significant pain, shows prolonged signs without progressing, or you are uncertain whether she is foaling or experiencing colic.
Stage two: delivery of the foal
Typical duration: no more than 20–30 minutes
The second stage begins when the chorioallantoic membrane ruptures – commonly described as the mare’s “waters breaking”.
The mare will usually lie down and begin strong abdominal contractions. The normal presentation is:
Two front feet, with one slightly ahead of the other
Soles of the hooves pointing downwards
The foal’s nose resting on or between the front legs
The feet should appear shortly after the waters break, and there should then be clear, continuous progress. The foal is normally delivered within approximately 20–30 minutes.
Call the vet immediately if:
A thick, velvety, bright-red membrane appears at the vulva instead of a thin, translucent membrane. This is known as a “red bag” delivery and is an emergency.
No feet become visible shortly after the waters break.
The mare is straining strongly but there is no clear progress.
Only one foot is visible.
The head appears without both front feet.
The feet are pointing upwards.
The foal appears to be positioned backwards.
The foal becomes stuck.
Delivery is taking longer than 20–30 minutes.
The mare stops straining or appears exhausted.
Do not attempt to reposition or pull the foal unless your vet specifically instructs you to do so. Incorrect intervention can seriously injure both the mare and foal.
Stage three: passing the placenta
The placenta should pass within three hours
The final stage of labour is the expulsion of the placenta, which should be complete within three hours of foaling.
As the mare stands, the placenta may hang down behind her. If it is at risk of being stood on, it can be carefully tied up at approximately hock level, or tied into a knot, to prevent tearing. Do not pull on it or attach additional weight.
Pulling a placenta that is still attached can cause severe internal damage, haemorrhage or uterine prolapse.
Once passed, place the placenta in a clean bucket or strong bag and keep it covered and away from dogs and other animals. Your vet should examine it to confirm that it is complete and check for abnormalities that could indicate placental disease.
Call the vet immediately if:
The placenta has not passed within three hours.
Only part of the placenta has been passed.
The placenta appears torn or incomplete.
The mare shows signs of colic, excessive bleeding or distress.
A retained placenta is an emergency because it can lead to serious complications, including uterine infection, septicaemia and laminitis.
The 1-2-3 rule
The 1-2-3 rule provides a useful guide to the newborn foal’s early progress:
The foal should stand within one hour.
The foal should suckle within two hours.
The mare should pass the placenta within three hours.
Call your vet if any of these milestones are not met or if you have concerns about the mare or foal.
After foaling
We recommend arranging a veterinary examination of the mare and foal approximately 12–24 hours after birth, even if the foaling appeared straightforward.
During this visit, your vet may:
Examine the foal for congenital abnormalities, injury or signs of illness
Check the foal’s heart, lungs, eyes, limbs and umbilicus
Confirm that the foal has passed meconium
Assess whether the foal is suckling effectively
Take a blood sample to measure IgG levels and check the transfer of antibodies from the mare’s colostrum
Perform additional blood tests if infection or sepsis is a concern
Administer tetanus antitoxin if this is appropriate, based on the mare’s vaccination history and the foal’s individual risk
Examine the mare for foaling injuries or signs of illness
Check the mare’s udder and milk production
Examine the placenta for completeness and abnormalities
An IgG blood test is commonly performed when the foal is around 12 hours old. Identifying inadequate passive transfer at this stage allows treatment to begin promptly, while there may still be an opportunity for the foal to absorb additional antibodies from colostrum.
Your vet may recommend a further reproductive examination of the mare after foaling, particularly following a difficult delivery or if there are concerns about uterine involution, trauma or infection. The timing will depend on the individual mare.
Call the vet immediately Ii the mare:
Shows signs of colic or abdominal pain
Is unusually quiet, distressed or not behaving normally
Refuses to eat or drink
Has a rectal temperature above 38.3°C
Has excessive or foul-smelling discharge
Is bleeding excessively
Continues straining after the foal has been delivered
Has not passed the placenta within three hours
Appears weak, unsteady or collapses
Call the vet immediately if the foal:
Does not breathe normally after birth
Is weak, unresponsive or unable to lift its head
Does not stand within one hour
Does not suckle within two hours
Is unable to locate or attach to the udder
Has milk coming from its nostrils
Shows signs of colic or repeated straining
Has not passed meconium
Has swollen joints, lameness or abnormal limbs
Has a swollen, bleeding or persistently wet umbilicus
Appears unusually sleepy or does not interact normally with the mare
Foaling complications can progress rapidly. If you are unsure whether something is normal, it is always safer to contact your vet promptly for advice.
This information provides general guidance and is not a substitute for individual veterinary advice. Please contact us to discuss your mare’s foaling plan or if you have any concerns during or after foaling.
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