Foaling in Love - Caring for the Mare and Her Offspring

Starting the Process

A maiden mare may require multiple breedings for conception to occur. Chart her cycles closely to determine the optimum ovulation moment. An experienced broodmare retains her optimum fertility if her breeding program is continued uninterrupted, instead of letting her lie fallow for a few years. A mare may be bred by live cover or artificial insemination.

The Waiting Game

Mares cycle approximately every three weeks. Teasing the mare by hand-walking her past a stallion's stall is one way to determine whether she is in-foal. A pregnant mare will not some into season again. She will not respond favorably to the stallion. In fact, she may pin her ears and squeal at him.

Once bred successfully, a fit and thriving fertile mare is likely deliver healthy, full-term offspring. A horse's gestation period is approximately 340 days. Foals are generally born in the spring.

Confirming Conception

Pregnancy is confirmed by a physical examination and ultrasound, performed by an equine veterinarian. Occasionally, the scan will indicate the sex of the fetus. It will also rule out the possibility of twin offspring.

Prenatal Care

The veterinarian will project an approximately foaling date and offer instructions for prenatal care and nutrition. Regular vaccinations and deworming (every two months) are essential for the broodmare. In addition, the veterinarian may recommend a series of vaccinations, given at 3, 6, and 9 months. Medications should be avoided, as much as possible, during the first two months and the last month of gestation.

A mare-in-foal may be ridden, as usual, throughout most of her pregnancy, as long as she remains fit and unstressed. During the final months, hand-walking and light exercise are sufficient.

Throughout the pregnancy, the farrier should continue to maintain the mare's hooves, whether she is in continued training or not.

Nutrition

Good nutrition is essential for a successful pregnancy. Aim to maintain the mare's usual diet, and supplement, if needed. Offer her plenty of roughage and clean water. A salt or mineral lick is an excellent idea as well.

During the last few months, a mare's nutritional needs will increase. The foal will grow approximately a pound a day in the last month before birth.

After foaling, a mare may need additional grain and hay, as she will be lactating to feed her foal. Her milk production is greatest during the foal's first two months of life, before he begins to eat on his own.

Signs of Impending Foaling

Shortly before giving birth, the mare's body will begin to provide some clues that the time is near. Her belly may drop and shift, as the foal moves into birthing position. Her udder will become larger, and her teats will drip a waxy white substance (which is colostrum). She may appear restless, and she will likely lay down in the field or her stall more often than usual.

A few hours before she delivers, the mare's tail muscles will slacken. She may urinate more often than usual, and she will probably appear to perspire.

Visible contractions may occur, and the mare may bend often to look at her belly and hind quarters.

Labor Begins

When these signs appear, it is time to bring the mare into the birthing stall, if she has not already moved in. This ultra-clean, larger-than-usual (12' x 14') stall should be bedded with soft straw. Wood shavings, sand, and sawdust can carry bacteria and also cause respiration problems for the newborn foal.

If possible, wrap the mare's tail with vet-wrap to keep it out of the way for foaling.

Try to provide privacy, as mares may postpone delivery for hours, while they wait for the coast to clear.

The Foal's Arrival

The majority of foals arrive in the middle of the night, when the barn is enveloped in peace and quiet. (It's important to have a knowledgeable and capable person designated for foal-watching, just in case the mare requires assistance.)

When the mare's water breaks, it's a sign that the foal will arrive very soon, probably within 30 to 60 minutes.

Usually, the foal arrives head down, with his front hooves appearing first. In some cases, a foal may have shifted, and veterinary assistance may be needed for breach birthing.

The newborn foal is encased in the amniotic membrane, which must be punctured for him to breathe. If the foal is unable to punch through this himself, human help may be needed.

Ideally, the mare and foal can be undisturbed, as long as the umbilical cord still connects them. Breaking this accidentally can be quite hazardous to the foal.

Beginning Nursing

A newborn foal should be standing and nursing within an hour of his arrival. The first feedings are the mare's colostrum, which is essential for building the baby's immunity to germs. If the pair is not immediately successful, it is advisable to milk the mare and offer the foal a baby bottle for the first feeding or two.

By morning, the two will probably have the system down. A healthy foal will usually nurse at least once an hour.

Delivery of the Placenta

Within a couple of hours, the mare should expel the placenta naturally. If this does not occur, she may require medication, such as a prostaglandin to stimulate this. If the placenta is hanging partially outside of the mare, it may be tied to her tail with twine or vet-wrap to prevent it from re-entering her body.

The afterbirth should be retained for the veterinarian to view, ensuring it has been completely expelled from the mare. Retaining even a portion of the placenta can lead to serious infection.

Initial Observations

The veterinarian will likely examine the mother and baby. He may do blood tests and other diagnostics on the baby.

Once mother and baby have been fully checked, it is important to offer them some privacy, so they can establish a bond.

Foal Scours

During the first few weeks of life, many foals suffer from frequent diarrhea, known as foal scours. It may become so severe that their rumps become bare and raw. Washing this with clear water is the best solution. Open-air drying will help to heal the sore spots. After a few weeks, their digestive systems will mature, they will grow accustomed to mother's milk, and the scours will disappear.

Shared Exercise

Almost immediately, the mare and foal will usually enjoy each other's presence. Within a day or two, they can go outside to a private paddock to exercise together. The foal is certain to put on a show. Often, breeders will place a halter and lead on the mare and begin walking to the paddock, with the foal bouncing along by her side. As the baby grows stronger and more independent, he will require a halter and lead of his own.