The Guide for Foaling Down
Foaling Essentials
Are you expecting a foal this year? How exciting! Are you comfortable with playing midwife? Do you know when you need to call the vet? If not - then read on.
The gestational length of a mare does have some variance - with the average length being 340 days from ovulation, but the normal variation is 320-360 days. Due to this variation, it’s important that a mare is watched closely for signs of labour. Mares should be transferred to their foaling environment 1 month prior their expected date. This allows time for familiarisation and allow the mare to create specific immunity to the foaling environment.
Some mares will give you great clues as to when they will foal - the vulva and muscles of the hips and pelvis can become loose and wobbly. There is generally udder fill and “waxing” up that can occur from 14 days - 24 hours prior a foal. Milk testing kits assess the milk pH, which declines just before foaling, can give you a 24-48 hour window guess of foaling.
There are three stages of a mares labour:
STAGE ONE: is when the foal is moving into position to be born, and the cervix dilates. This phase can last from 1-6 hours. The mare often displays signs of discomfort, loss of appetite, isolation, and occasional distress. Stage One cumulates with the mares water breaking.
STAGE TWO: is when the chorioallantosis or the foetal membranes break. Once the membranes rupture there is generally forceful and rhythmic contractions that start pushing the foal out. Generally this stage lasts 5-20 minutes. The mare will often be up and down, but most commonly they are born lying down. Stage Two ends once the foal has arrived.
STAGE THREE: is the passing of the placental and foetal membranes. Ideally this is completed within 3 hours.
After the foal is born there is an easy way to remember what is normal - the 1-2-3 Rule
1 Hour - Both mare and foal should be standing
2 Hours - the foal should have found the teat and be nursing
3 Hours - the membranes should have been expelled from the mare.
Failure of any of theses stages warrants a call to your veterinarian.
When to worry: If you are concerned about your mare or foal, early intervention is best. We would recommend you call your veterinarian early just to discuss any issues. Below is some guidelines on when to call:
If your mare has foaled before 320 days
Abnormal milk production, or if the mare has run milk before foaling
If the mare has been actively pushing for more than 20 minutes with no progress
If you find anything coming out other than a front leg
If there is excessive tearing or abnormal tissue protruding from the mare
If the mare does not get up after foaling
If the membranes are still present after 3-4 hours
If the foal isn’t up within 1-2 hours
After 24 hours it is vital to examine your foal. A veterinarian will check your foal and mares vital signs, and often take a blood sample to check for adequate passive immunity. The foal relies entirely on the mare to receive its first dose of antibodies, to protect it against infection and disease. If the foal does not receive adequate levels then there is a much higher risk of life threatening infections.
Please call if you have any questions or concerns about your mare or foal!