Most horse owners who have decided to breed a foal often miss the actual birth of the foal. The average gestation period for a mare is 333 to 340 days, but horses have a wide variation in gestation (normal foals have been produced from pregnancies as short as 305 days and as long as 400 days), making it difficult for the mare owner to predict the actual date of birth. Also, most mares foal during the night or very early morning, making the birth difficult for the average mare owner to monitor. ....Ever had one of those 'Hey look there's a foal' mornings... Fortunately, mares seldom experience foaling difficulties or require assistance during foaling. However, there are several steps you can take after the foal is born to assure the health of your mare and foal.
Care of the Foal
If you are present during the birth of the foal, your first step after the delivery is to make sure the foal is breathing. Quietly approach the foaling area and remove the birth sack (amnion) from the foal's head. If the foal is breathing, your job is done and you should leave the foaling area and observe the mare and foal from a distance. This allows the mare and foal time to recover from the delivery and bond. If the foal does not begin breathing on its own, run your hand gently in a downward motion, the full length of the nostril cavity to push out any mucus that may still be there & blow into the foal's mouth to stimulate the respiratory reflex. If the foal still does not breathe, try rubbing the foal vigorously, gently squeezing its ribs or lifting it a few inches off the ground and dropping it. This usually shocks the foal slightly and initiates respiration.
A normal, healthy foal lifts its head and neck and rolls onto its chest within several seconds after delivery. Then the foal begins to make creeping movements away from its dam. If the mare has not stood up yet, the foal's movements usually break the umbilical cord. You should wait for either the mare or foal to break the umbilical cord. Do not cut the umbilical cord immediately after birth, because the foal receives blood from the placenta after birth. Cutting the cord before this blood transfer may result in circulatory problems in the foal. Foals with circulatory problems typically seem dumb and may have convulsions, leading to the common terms of "dummy" or "wanderer" foals for this condition.
NOTE:Contrary to popular belief, there is absolutely no excuse for shoving your fingers in every orifice of a new born foal in some socially commercial attempt to 'bond' with your new foal.. I certainly know what I would do if some idiot started shoving their fingers in my babies orifices. think about it. The best dog I ever had I bought from a pet shop and the best horse I ever owned I bought as a late 3yo. Bonding my ass.. it is a trumped up commercial sales pitch to make someone feel better about charging you an absolute fortune to become a 'horse whisperer'... something that can't be taught, it is a naturally occurring gene - you either got it or you don't.
Once the umbilical cord breaks, the stump should be dipped in a mild, 1 to 2 percent iodine solution (I use honey - manuka if you can't get honey from a local bee keeper). The iodine/honey will dry the umbilical stump and prevent bacteria from traveling up the stump and entering the foal's body. Bacteria that enter the foal through the umbilical stump cause a systemic infection known by various names, such as naval ill, joint ill, or polyarthritis. This infection causes severe illness or death in foals and causes swelling and deformities in the foal's joints.
You should examine the naval stump for several days after birth to make sure that it remains dry.
(NOT COMMON) IF - Urine is dripping from the stump, this indicates that the fetal urine passage from the bladder to the umbilical (the urachus) has not closed. Normally the urachus closes at birth. If it fails to close, in a condition called "persistent urachus," the foal should be treated by a veterinarian.
Usually, foals stand within 1 hour after birth. During the first standing attempts, the foal is unsteady and constantly shifting its head, neck, and feet in an attempt to remain balanced. This unsteadiness is normal, and you should let the foal stand by itself. Lifting the foal onto its feet before its legs are strong enough to support it may strain tendons and ligaments, and it interferes with the bonding process between the mare and foal.
Nursing. When it stands, the foal should begin nursing attempts. The foal instinctively searches at the junction of the mare's legs (both front and back) and body for the udder. The exploratory process involved with finding the udder is normal, and, again, you should resist the desire to "help" the foal. Human interference during initial nursing attempts actually may slow the foal's progress in finding the udder, and it interferes with the mare-foal bond. However, if the foal has not nursed by 2 hours after birth or if the mare aggressively rejects the foal's attempts to nurse, then it is time to interfere. Help the foal stand up and gently guide it to the mare's udder. Hand milk a few drops of colostrum (the mare's first milk) from the mare and coat your fingers and the mare's teats with it. Get the foal to suck your finger coated with colostrum and gradually move your finger beside the mare's teat. Then, slowly pull your finger out of the foal's mouth so the foal will switch to the teat. This procedure may have to be repeated several times before the foal makes the switch to the teat. Occasionally a young mare or a mare with a swollen, sensitive udder will have to be restrained for several nursing sessions before she willingly lets the foal nurse. If the mare does not accept the foal after a few nursing bouts, you should call your veterinarian to tranquilize the mare. Keeping the mare tranquilized for a day or two solves most foal rejection problems. Remember to use extreme caution whenever you are working with a foal. Normally gentle, well-mannered mares can become very protective and aggressive if they think you are threatening their foal.
Colostrum. It is important for the foal to receive colostrum soon after birth because it contains antibodies needed for disease protection during the first few months of the foal's life. These antibodies can be absorbed by the foal's intestinal tract for up to 36 hours after birth, but absorptive ability begins decreasing drastically at 12 hours after birth. Therefore it is important that the foal receive colostrum before this time has passed. If you have any doubts about your foals health, if it seems lethargic or depressed your vet can perform a simple test (igg) to determine if the foal has received adequate protection from colostrum. This test should be done about 6 hours after birth. This gives you an opportunity to correct potential deficiencies in immunity during the time the foal can absorb antibodies from its intestinal tract. You vet will administer plasma to aid the foals recovery.
To ensure that the mare has high amounts of antibodies in her colostrum, vaccinate her approximately 30 days before foaling. If you miss this vaccination time, make sure the foal is protected against tetanus by giving it a tetanus antitoxin injection at birth. The tetanus antitoxin is less efficient than immunity from colostrum because it protects the foal for only 2 to 3 weeks while its umbilical stump heals. Because the foal's immune system is not mature enough to use a tetanus toxoid vaccination until it is 3 to 5 months old, the foal is unprotected for 2- 1 / 2 to 3 months if it does not receive protection from the colostrum.
Colostrum has a laxative effect on the foal, which helps it pass the meconium (firm dark poop). Most foals pass the meconium within 4 hours after birth. If the meconium is not passed, the foal can become constipated. A constipated foal frequently stops moving, squats, and raises its tail trying to poop. Constipation can be relieved easily by giving the foal a warm, soapy water enema (1 to 2 cups - use natural, unscented soap only) or a prepackaged human mineral oil enema (pick up from your local chemist). You should observe the foal for several days for signs of constipation and correct any problems.
Placenta
While the glistening allantois surface is still outermost, check for any tears or any abnormalities. The most common area for tears is the tip of the non pregnant horn. Once assured that the placenta is complete, turn it "right-side" out, exposing the "velvety" chorionic surface. Lay the placenta out in a "Y" or "F" shape. The 3 arms of the "Y" correspond to the placenta occupying the 2 uterine horns and the equally long uterine body ending in the cervical star. This is usually the point of rupture through which the foal exits. (Placenta diagram on Pre-Foaling Page)
Examination of the normal placenta may reveal slight edema and/or thickening of the tips of the uterine horns, small (0.1 - 1.0 cm) bare foci scattered at random over the chorionic surface, and distinct folds of the chorionic surface of the non pregnant horn. These folds are prominent since they were not stretched by the pregnancy. Often a brown "liver-like" material, ( hippomane), is found floating in the allantoic cavity, this is normal.
It is common to see five or six twists of the umbilical cord with no apparent problem, while 16 twists have been associated with death of the foal. Local hemorrhage and edema of the umbilical cord are observed in some cases.
The presence of yellowish brown meconium staining of the placenta and foal should be noted. It indicates fetal stress, as seen with herpes virus abortions, ergot alkaloid toxicity and other diseases. Your Vet should be called to examine all postpartum mares, foals and placentas, if a placenta is not intact.
Red Bag Delivery
The placenta consists of two membranes: the inner amnion, which surrounds the foal, and the outer chorioallantois, which attaches to the uterus. During the normal onset of labor, uterine contractions cause the placenta to rupture ( the "water breaks"). The broken membrane allows the amnion-covered foal to slip through the cervix and be delivered. In a normal foaling you should see this thin opaque membrane protrude first from the vulva. Then, after the foal is born, continued contractions release the placenta from the uterine lining, and it passes from the mare's body, generally within three hours. Occasionally, the chorioallantois doesn't rupture at the cervix, separates from the uterus too soon and begins to protrude through the vulva. This is known as premature separation of the placenta or "red bag" due to the thick red color of the membrane. When the placenta separates prematurely, the foal is deprived of oxygen and is in danger of death by asphyxiation. If you encounter a red tissue protruding from the vulva instead of the thin opaque amnion, it is an extreme emergency. Contact your vet immediately for delivery instructions.
Foal Health Problems
Diarrhea in the newborn foal is not common and may indicate a serious illness in the foal. A squirting type of diarrhea can result in dehydration and death of a newborn foal in a few hours. Immediately consult your vet if your newborn foal develops diarrhea. However, mild diarrhea is common in older foals (1 to 2 weeks of age). This diarrhea often occurs during the mare's foal heat (a fertile heat beginning approximately 7 to 9 days after foaling - may vary in some mares 3 -10 days) and is commonly termed "foal heat scours." If the foal is alert and nursing regularly, mild foal heat scours usually do not harm it. However if the foal stops nursing and becomes weak or dehydrated, consult your vet immediately. You should keep the scoured areas around the foal's butt clean. Wash the area with mild soap and water and coat it with honey to prevent scalding (do not use vaseline or any other oil based product as they may cause the skin to burn or blister in the sun).
Many foals have limb weaknesses or angular deformities at birth. These include knuckling over at the fetlock joint, weak pasterns in which the back of the fetlock touches the ground, knock knees, and crooked legs. Many of these conditions correct themselves with exercise. In more severe cases or if you are simply worried, your farrier can assess the situation and recommend a treatment.
Some foals may be born with hernias (defects in the body wall that allow part of the intestines to protrude under the skin). Hernias occur most frequently at the naval and scrotal areas. Small hernias often correct themselves with time, and larger hernias may require surgical correction. Again, this is a situation that your vet should assess.
Occasionally the newborn foal's eyelids and lashes are turned in toward the eye rather than turned out as normal. This is a condition called "entropion" and causes tearing and irritation of the eye. If your foal has entropion, gently roll the eyelid out and consult your vet for the proper eye ointment or treatment.
Umbilicus Leaking Urine - Treatment of a leaking umbilicus, medically referred to as a patent urachus, does not usually require surgery. In fact, most of these problems resolve with minimal medical care. Have your Vet perform an ultrasound examination of the internal umbilical remnants--the blood vessels from the umbilicus that reside inside the abdomen--in a foal with a patent urachus to determine if a more severe infection is present. With this knowledge your Vet can prescribe a proper course of antibiotics, topical umbilical dip, and close observation.
Another infrequent problem in newborn foals is caused by an incompatibility between blood groups of the mare and foal. This condition is known as "neonatal isoerythrolysis" or "jaundice foal." Antibodies to the foal's red blood cells are formed by the mare and secreted in her colostrum. When the foal nurses and absorbs these antibodies, its red blood cells are destroyed. Without prompt treatment, the foal becomes anemic and dies. If you suspect neonatal isoerythrolysis, prevent the foal from consuming colostrum until you can get a vet to test for the condition.
A quick check of the foals eye will give you an indication (see pic right) - note the yellow discolouration of the usually white area of the eye
Care of the Mare
After foaling, allow the mare to lie quietly as long as possible. This allows the mare a rest after birth and prevents premature breaking of the umbilical cord. Most mares will stand within 15 -20 minutes after birth. After standing, the mare begins licking the foal vigorously. The mare bonds to the foal when licking. You should not interrupt the mare or dry the foal (unless it is cold enough to threaten the foal's health), because it might interfere with the bonding process.
Most mares expel the afterbirth within 1 hour after delivery. If the afterbirth has not been expelled after 3 hours, get your vet to treat the mare. Retained afterbirths can cause colic, founder (laminitis), or septicemia in the mare. You should never pull on the afterbirth, because this can tear it and leave small pieces in the mare. Never cut off the expelled portion of the afterbirth or tie it to the mare's tail, because its weight helps gradually to pull it away from the mare's uterus. If the mare is bothered by the afterbirth swinging around her hind legs, tie the afterbirth in a ball with a piece of baling-twine until she delivers it.
Spread the afterbirth on the ground after delivery and examine it carefully to make sure no small pieces have been retained. A normal afterbirth consists of a large sack (allantochorion) that is a shiny gray color on the outside and a velvety red color in the inside & the sack that surrounds the foal (amnion), and the remains of the umbilical cord. Piece together any broken pieces to make sure the complete afterbirth was expelled.
Check the mare for several days after the delivery for any signs of discharge. A slight, watery, blood-tinged discharge is fairly common, but a thick, sfoul smelling, whitish discharge usually indicates a problem that may require veterinary care.
Care of Orphan Foals
Orphan foals can result from death of the mare, inability of the mare to produce milk, or maternal rejection of the foal. Orphan foals can be raised successfully with some extra care. As with mothered foals, you should make sure the orphan receives colostrum soon after birth. If the foal cannot receive its mother's colostrum, look on our colostum bank page or try to locate frozen colostrum (large breeding farms and your vet). Thaw the frozen colostrum at room temperature. Microwaving or heating the colostrum can destroy the protective antibodies in it. In the absence of any colostrum, your veterinarian can give the foal a plasma transfusion or an oral colostrum replacer to get antibodies into its system.
Several simple post-foaling management practices will help ensure the health of your mare and foal. A checklist follows.
Make sure the foal is breathing.
Put iodine/honey on the foal's umbilical stump.
Make sure the foal (including orphan foals) receives colostrum soon after birth.
Make sure the foal is protected against tetanus, either through the colostrum or by a tetanus antitoxin injection.
Make sure the foal passes the meconium and treat constipation or diarrhea promptly.
Check the umbilical stump for several days for the presence of urine.
Check that the foal's eyelids and lashes are turned outward.
Follow your veterinarian's advice about any limb deformities and hernias.
Make sure the mare expels the afterbirth and check it for completeness.
Check the mare for several days after foaling for any sign of reproductive tract infection.
To horse owners unfamiliar with raising foals, this post-foaling checklist may seem like a large amount of work. However, it only takes a few minutes to perform these management procedures, and then you can relax and enjoy your new foal knowing that you have done your best to ensure its well-being
