Foaling

The 'not so scientific' method of judging whether your mare is going to foal for those who are not home during the day to watch for the usual pacing, sitting on anything that is stationary, belly kicking, higher than usual tail carriage, hunting up her paddock buddies, udder changes, foaling plug
expulsion, blah blah blah.....

if the milk has a small grainy type appearance - she is going to foal if not - go to bed and get some sleep

NOTE : Since this is clearly not a scientific test - I certainly won't guarantee it but it works for me.

COUPLE OF TIPS

• Get to know your mares standing body temp - you can do this by visiting her in the foaling yard at the same time every night and running the back of your hand (not the front - the back is more sensitive to the temp changes) down her shoulder to her chest, her neck and flank. - this way you will know when her temp rises and her coat feels clammy to touch - foaling is eminent.
• Take your torch out every night when you check her - this way on the night she does foal, the torchlight will not startle her unnecessarily.
• If you have a mosquito problem around foal time, hang a kero lantern and burn citronella oil in it.

Foal Kit

• Phone - your Vets phone Number on speed dial
• Iodine (betadine or Honey) - for the foals umbilicus (If you can't get honey from your local bee keeper use Manuka honey)
• latex gloves or long plastic sleeves - needed if you need to assist internally
• towel - to dry & stimulate foal if cold
• baby bottle (2ltre coke bottle and a goat nipple is fine)
• baling twine
• colostrum pot - a tupperware container that can hold 300 - 600ml
• new born foal rug - for use of weather is miserable and cold
• torch - new batteries
• Foal pullers - (explained below)

Colostrum Bank

If you don't have one already then start this year. Milk 300ml off your first mare to foal this season. Store upright in your freezer in and air tight container. Be sure to milk the opposite teat to the one the foal first chooses to drink from. It is best if the mare is an experienced foaler, however if your first mare to foal is a maiden only milk 300ml from her if she is well bagged. The colostrum can be kept from season to season.
If you have access to a colostrum measure - great, if not you can judge the consistency of your mares colostrum by touch - thicker sticky consistency is good.

Know the Anatomy of a Horse

Especially the differences between the front and hind legs. Now I know the differences may be obvious however under pressure you may have some disorientation. Your vet may be able to walk you through some of the more common foaling problems with you over the phone and this will be easier if you have a good grasp of the anatomy of the legs.

Foaling Pullers (pics below)

Ask your vet or local Stock & Station Supply store if they stock them or get them in for you. If you do not have this option available you can make them

If you have to pull the foal, attach the slip knot above the fetlock and pull out and down toward the mares fetlocks. Be sure to keep your hands low and don't make the mistake of pulling up as this will hinder your efforts.

Red Bag Delivery

The placenta consists of two membranes: the inner amnion (the thin opaque membrane), which surrounds the foal, and the outer placenta (the thick grey-purple shiny membrane), 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 translucent gray membrane protrude first from the vulva. Then, after the foal is born, continued contractions release the chorioallantois from the uterine lining, and the placenta passes from the mare's body, generally within three hours. Occasionally, the placenta 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 gray amnion, it is an extreme emergency. Contact your vet immediately for delivery instructions.

• As soon as it is apparent it is a redbag delivery - the bag, placenta, chorio-allantois (what ever name you feel comfortable with) must be ruptured immediately and delivery assisted because the foal will rapidly become hypoxic and anoxic