Foaling Information
Dr. Estelle E. Felarise
Greene, Lewis and Associates, Inc.
Preparing for your newborn foal
 Bedding
 Navel Dip
 Placenta
 Thermometer
 Enema
Parturition
 Normal gestation for a mare ranges from 320370 days, with the average being 340 days (see
the foaling chart for estimated due date).
 Mares are normally very efficient with delivery
and equally as secretive.
Stages of Parturition
Stage I
 Normally last 1 to 4 hours.
 It contains the initial uterine contractions
and the final positioning of the foal for
delivery.
Stages of Parturition
Stage I cont.
 Typically the mare will exhibit the following
behavior:
 Restlessness
 Pawing
 Getting up and down
 Sweating
 Urinating frequently
Stages of Parturition
Stage I cont.
 At this point the mare can be prepared for
foaling by:
 Washing the mare’s vulva and udder with warm
water
 Wrapping her tail with a clean bandage
Stages of Parturition
Stage II
 This is the most critical time, when the foal
actually appears.
 If foaling is proceeding normally, the mare should
be left alone.
 In this stage hard labor and the foal delivery is
usually completed within 10 to 30 minutes.
 The mare will experience heavy abdominal
contractions and lie flat on her side.
 Her water bag will appear and should break on its
own during the first part of Stage II.
Stages of Parturition
Stage II cont.
 In the normal presentation:
 Both front feet with the heels down will appear
first and usually one foot will be slightly ahead
of the other.
 The feet are followed by the nose and head
resting between the knees.
 If this is not what is observed, please call your
veterinarian.
 The mare may rest at this time before the
shoulders followed by the hips are delivered.
Stages of Parturition
Stage II cont.
 Once the foal is born patience is critical.
 Its important to allow the mare to lie as long
as possible to prevent early cord rupture.
 Stage II ends following the birth when the
umbilical cord is broken as the mare stands
or the foal struggles.
Stages of Parturition
Stage III
 The delivery of the placenta (afterbirth).
 These membranes should be expelled 3 to 4
hours after the birth
 In our climate please call your veterinarian if the
placenta has not passed at this time.
 Save the placenta to be examined by your
veterinarian.
 The foal’s nursing helps stimulate uterine
contractions aiding in the placental release.
If you are present at the foaling
Picture of a normal presentation of a foal
Pictorial Foaling Process
As the mare begins
to push, one front
foot should appear
out of the vaginal
opening.
Pictorial Foaling Process
The nose, shoulders
and hips appear.
This is the amnion
covering the foal.
Pictorial Foaling Process
The mare should
pass the placenta
within 3 to 4 hours
after foaling.
Call your Veterinarian if:
 Dystocia or no progression from one stage of
the foaling process to next within a 15
minute interval.
 Red bag
 Severe bleeding from the mare.
 Mare exhibits any vaginal discharge prior to
foaling.
 Placenta is retained for more than 3-4 hours
in warm weather.
Call your veterinarian to Discuss
Dystocia is an abnormal or difficult birth
Call your Veterinarian if:
If you see any deviation from normal foaling
position. Such as:
Call your Veterinarian if:
Abnormal foaling presentations continued:
This is a true breech
position
Red Bag
Red bag is premature
placental separation.
When this happens
the foal is no longer
getting oxygen from
the placenta and the
foal must be
delivered as soon as
possible.
Vaginal Discharge
 If your mare exhibits any vaginal discharge before
parturition please call your veterinarian.
 The discharge could be due to a possible placentitis
(infection of the placenta).
 This is not detrimental to the mare but can cause
infection in the unborn foal or premature delivery of the
foal.
After the Birth
 The umbilical cord should break as the mare or
foal begin to rise. The foal’s umbilical stump
should be treated with either tincture of iodine
or dilute betadine after this occurs.
 The foal should rise and nurse within 2 to 4
hours, most stand and nurse within one hour.
 An enema should be administered after the foal
is up and nursing.
Neonatal and Mare Exam
 The mare and foal should be examined by a
veterinarian within 12 to 18 hours of the birth.
 The mare’s perineal area and cervix should be
examined for any tears or abnormalities.
 At the time of the exam, the veterinarian will
administer antibiotics, tetanus antitoxin and
pull blood to test the IgG levels on the foal.
Causes for Concern with New Foals
 Depression or lack of appetite
 Straining to defecate
 Lameness
 Swollen umbilicus
 Elevated Temperature (>102.5 °F)
Please call your veterinarian if
any of the above signs are
observed.