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Foaling Time Check list

For the EquiGen educated Horse owner

By Dr. Meisenburg

   

So, several months ago I wrote about what to look out for in the way of TROUBLE and empowered you on what to do and expect if your mare had these troubles. The fact is, most deliveries go smoothly, and yes even without our help!

So let me calm your fears and out line how things should go in short form.  This way you can have the time line in your hand at stall side while you await your new arrival.

 Most mares will foal at night, quickly.  When I was still in vet school, my own mare was due to foal.  I was worried about this young maiden mare due to her history of a past pelvis injury so I was extra diligent in monitoring her.  The milk test indicated that she could foal within the next 24 hours.  At 11:00 pm at night I checked her and she was quietly and contently munching hay as comfy as can be.  No udder development to speak of really, ate all her dinner, hadn’t a care in the world.  Back into my study room I went confident that tonight was not the night, but to be careful I’d check her right before I went to bed for the night.  That was 30 minutes later folks.  I found her and a perfect filly at her side already following mom in the stall. So quick means quick!

 

  • Due Date…….  There is NO SUCH THING IN A MARE.   There is a gestation RANGE .  The normal range, and this depends on time of year bred, breed, nutrition status, fetal gender, maiden vs. multiparous mare and other such factors, is 305 – 365 days with a light horse average of 330 – 345 days.  
  • No two stalls or pastures have the same “germs”. So move your pregnant mare to her foaling stall, paddock, or pasture no later than 30 days before the foaling RANGE begins.  That will insure that she will develop the antibodies in her colostrum, her all important first milk, that her foal will need to survive in its new environment.
  • Her udders MAY develop 3 – 6 weeks prior to foaling.  Maiden mares may psyche you out on that one.  Don’t worry, once she begins labor “Ben and Jerry” will blossom!
  • Waxing occurs within 1 – 72 hours before foaling.
  • Your late term mare may begin to seek seclusion. So instead of giving her 1000 acres to herself, try to keep the activity level of your farm to a low and gentle hum during foaling time.

 

Stage one of labor

·         Restlessness, walking, frequent urination, slight to moderate sweating and / or an anxious attitude.  Oh, ya and your mare will show the same symptoms. LOL!

·         This is when the healthy fetus actively participates in its preparation of delivery by positioning itself properly for birth; front feet facing down first followed by nose.

Stage two of labor

  • “Water” breaks.

  • 15 – 20 minutes of forceful and expulsive efforts by the mare.

  • Foal is presented, hooves facing downward, in a blue – grey sack, the intact amnion.

  • Delivery.

  • Placental transfusion of 400 – 1500 ml blood to newly delivered foal via intact umbilical cord.  Don’t break.  Let it break on its own.

 

Important time-lines and vitals for newborns

    • Time for making sucking movements (i.e. sucking your fingers if presented) =2–20 min.
    • Time to laying sternal = 1 – 2 min.
    • Time to standing = 1 -2 hours (> 2 hrs = not normal)
    • Time to nursing = 2 hrs. ( >2 – 3 hrs = not normal)
    • Rectal temp. = 99 – 101.5 F
    • Heart Rate = 1-5 min post delivery = >60 beats/min.; 6 – 60 min. post delivery = 80 – 130 bpm.
    • Respiration Rate = 0 – 30 min. post delivery 60 – 80 breaths/min.; 1 – 12 hrs = 30 – 40 bpm.
    • Blood glucose = >80 mg/dl

 

Stage three of labor

  • The mare will look like she has been tranquilized post delivery. You may as well.
  • The mare may act colicky. You may as well.
  • The placenta is passed within 30 minutes to 3 hours.  Place placenta in a clean trash bag or bucket and keep somewhere where “critters” won’t snack on it.  Have your veterinarian examine it completely ASAP to determine if the whole placenta is out of the mare.  Bad things happen quickly if it has not come out completely.
  • Foal may be up and about before mom.  That is fine. Leave her be but monitor her closely.

 

There is a plethora of information on the internet; where everyone is a self proclaimed expert on any subject.  The best source of information is your equine practitioner. Please take advantage of this valuable relationship and have him/her update you on the newest and most important information on foaling whether this is your first or your one-thousandth.  Enjoy your foaling experience it is a gift to be a part of!

 Horsefully yours,

Dr. Meisenburg

Veterinarian-in-charge

EquiGen

Archer , Florida

 

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