Many foalings are unattended and most foalings work out well for both mare and foal thus the owner. However in the up to 20% of foalings that don’t work out well, it can be emotionally and financially devastating to the owner and potentially fatal for the foal and/or the mare.
Foal taking its first steps
When the mare begins to show signs of beginning the birth process, it is important to watch carefully for any warning signs or irregularities that could endanger the foal or possibly the mare.
If you are considering breeding your mare, the following is a list of things that need to be considered seriously and timely in the last month of pregnancy, during foaling, and following foaling. You should show this list to your veterinarian(s) and go over it thoroughly with them.
Pregnancies in mares are variable in length; therefore, it is important to be prepared for foaling in plenty of time. When the mare begins to show signs of beginning the birth process, it is important to watch carefully for any warning signs or irregularities that could endanger the foal or possibly the mare.
Preparations for labor
Long before the mare is due to foal, it is important to prepare for the birth of the foal by collecting the necessary supplies and keeping them in the stable or barn area in a covered container. Supplies should include:</p>
- Tail wrapping material for the mare's tail
- Several pairs of latex or rubber gloves, preferably sterile
- Betadine or Nolvasan iodine solution
- A flashlight with new and spare batteries
- Several large towels and a few hand towels
- At least two prepared commercial enemas
- Clean, sharp scissors
- Clamps or hemostats to control bleeding
- A large, thick garbage bag for the placenta
- A clean bucket with soap for washing hands and arms, the foal and mare
- Plenty of clean, fresh water
- Suture thread or sterilized fishing line
- Roll cotton
- A watch or clock
- The veterinarian's phone number
In addition to the supplies, an adequate clean stable with a bed of straw should be made ready. Straw is preferred over shavings because dust that might affect the foal is minimized. In some cases, owners choose to have their mares foal outside in a pasture, but having the mare inside a confined area makes it easier to control the situation.
Signs of impending labor
- Udder increases in size and milk may be produced
- Muscles in croup area will show shrinkage
- Mare may isolate herself from other horses
- Calcium concentrations increase in mammary secretions
- Mare may become nervous and show signs of discomfort
During stage one of labor the muscles in uterine wall begin contractions and the water breaks expelling 2 to 5 gallons of fluid. Contractions continue as the muscles in the mare's abdomen begin positioning the foal for the actual birth.
The second stage is the actual delivery. The uterine walls contract forcefully and the mare lies down. Forceful straining of the muscles of the mare's abdomen push the foal through the birth canal, and initially, a membranous sac will appear at her vulva. The foal's leg and neck movements usually break this membrane that is called the amnion.
As the head is exposed, breathing begins and within a short period of time, delivery of the hind legs and body occur. Any abnormality during the second stage of labor is an emergency. The foal is born with the umbilical cord attached and is being nurtured with the mare's blood. It is important that the cord is not severed. The cord breaks naturally as the foal moves.
Stage three of labor is the cleaning-out stage when the placental membranes are expelled from the mare';s uterus. Normally this process will take about an hour. The placenta should always be checked carefully to determine that is has all been expelled and that no pieces have remained in the mare to cause infection.
Prevention of problems during equine delivery
It is important for the foal that the environment is safe and clean, and that manure is removed regularly. It is best to keep the iodine solution nearby along with clean towels. In many cases, wax will develop at the tips of the mare's nipples, and they may begin to drip.
If there is evidence of extended dripping, (white spots on the mares hind legs where drops have fallen), the mare should be lightly milked, if she allows it, and the colostrum stored in a sterile container to be fed to the foal as soon after birth as possible. The colostrum contains important antibodies to boost the foal's immune system. Once it is obvious that the birth process has begun, the mare's tail should be wrapped and the perineal area thoroughly washed.
During this first stage the mare will be restless and shifting positions. This helps position the foal in the birth canal. Once the water breaks, the mare moves into the second state of delivery. This stage may take only a few minutes or may last an hour or so.
Any abnormality during the second state is an emergency. If after a few minutes' effort, two feet and a muzzle do not appear, contact the vet immediately. Normally the mare will be in a recumbent position and should begin to present a white amniotic sac.</p>
If the sac is velvety-red in color, it should be ruptured and the foal removed as quickly as possible. The vet should be called immediately. It is perfectly normal for the mare to get up and down or roll, but if prolonged agitation occurs or labor exceeds two hours, an experienced individual or veterinarian should determine the best course of action.
As soon as the foal's head is presented, remove fluid from the nostrils and evaluate the breathing rate of the foal. If the foal is distressed or is limp or weak, the amnion should be broken immediately and the head lifted and nostrils cleared to aid breathing. The mare will normally extend her neck to sniff her new foal, and it is important to give her time to begin the bonding process.
As the foal exits the birth canal, the umbilical cord should be left attached and left to break naturally to prevent blood loss. It will break naturally when the mare stands and should be treated with iodine or chlorhexidine solution. If it doesn't break naturally, it should be crushed approximately 1 inch from the navel and treated.
The mare will rest for as long as thirty minutes and this should be encouraged. It prevents the still-relaxed vulva from possibly sucking in air and the risk post-partum endometritis or acute metritis which delays uterine involution. If the mare's vulva is torn at foaling, it will be necessary to perform a minor operation called a Caslick's operation to restore the tissues to normal.
During the third stage, the mare expels the afterbirth. This stage lasts roughly an hour. It may be expelled with the foal, but if not, it is best to tie it up so that the mare won't step in it and risk breaking off pieces in the uterus. Once the placenta is delivered, it should be checked for completeness, placed in a strong plastic bag and saved for the veterinarian';s examination.
Roughly twenty minutes after birth, the foal should be attempting to stand and then walk. It should be given a phosphate enema to ease the passage of meconium. Some foals might require two enemas, but only if necessary.