While most mares foal without complications, having the right supplies and knowledge on hand can make all the difference in ensuring a safe and smooth arrival of your new foal.

Prepare a clean, safe environment

• A large, clean, dry paddock with good lighting and good fencing.

Equipment for Observation

• A torch or headlamp for nighttime checks.
• A foaling alarm if available.
• Notebook or phone for recording times and observations.

Personal Protective Gear

• Clean examination gloves
• Antiseptic solution such as diluted iodine

Essentials for the Mare

• Tail bandage or wrap to keep the area clean.
• Mild antiseptic solution to clean the vulva before foaling (very dilute iodine or chlorhexidine)
• Halter and lead in case the mare needs to be moved or assisted.
• Vaccinate your mare 4–6 weeks before foaling to boost colostral antibodies.
• Ensure the mare is in good body condition—not too fat or thin.

Essentials for the Foal

• Clean, dry towels for drying and stimulation.
• Iodine or chlorhexidine solution for dipping the navel (0.5–2% iodine or 0.5% chlorhexidine).

Emergency Supplies

• Scissors in case you need to break the membranes stuck over the foal’s face.
• Obstetrical lubricant (for assisting with delivery if needed) and rectal gloves.
• Your vet’s emergency number on speed dial—know who to call.

Stages of Foaling

The foaling process is divided into three stages:

Stage One
The mare may start to become restless and pace, lie down or exhibit mild colic signs. This stage generally occurs 1-2 hours before the actual birth, but it can be extended if the mare is disturbed too much. The end of stage one is marked by the rupture of the chorioallantois, which is seen as a shiny membrane protruding from the vulva. The rupture of this is often described as the waters breaking, but there isn’t always a lot of visible fluid from the outside.

Stage Two
This stage usually lasts between 10-30 minutes from the time the membranes appear to the foal being produced. The mare will begin to have periods of intense straining and the foal will start to enter the birth canal. The mare may get up and down and roll during this time to adjust the position of the foal.

In a normal foaling, the foal should present at the vulva with two front legs first and a head in a diving position. One leg will be approximately 10-15cm in front of the other in order to fit the shoulders through the pelvis easier.

The foal will be pushed out in stages of intense straining, while the mare is lying down. Once the hips of the foal have passed through the pelvis, the mare will often have a rest and can lie down with the foal’s hind legs still in the birth canal for up to 30 minutes. At this point it is unnecessary to interfere with the foal, provided you have checked that there are no membranes caught over the foal’s face to restrict breathing. The umbilical cord will break at a weak point when the mare stands.

Occasionally mares will foal standing up, especially maidens or mares with an audience. The foal will generally not have problems associated with falling from a height at birth. It is not

recommended to try catching these foals – they’re large and slippery!

Stage Three
Stage three of foaling is the passage of the placenta. A placenta is considered to be retained if the mare has not passed it within 3-6 hours of birth. Heavy horses are especially prone to retained membranes and I would generally start to think about taking further action at about the two hour mark. Prompt treatment of retained membranes can prevent life threatening uterine infections, so it is better to be safe and contact your veterinarian early if the membranes have not been passed routinely. For the same reasons, once the placenta has passed it is important to check that there are no holes or tears, except for the one the foal came out of. If you feel there is a piece of the placenta missing, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Call your veterinarian when:

• The foal doesn’t present the normal birthing appearance (two feet and a head) within five minutes of the water breaking.
• One or both legs appear, but the head doesn’t present within five minutes of the water breaking.
• If the first thing appearing from the vulva is a red velvety sac (known as “red bag delivery”).
• The placenta is retained for over 3 hours.
• After delivery, the mare exhibits signs of colic, depression or inappetence.
• If the foal is not up, standing and nursing within two hours after birth.

The 1-2-3 rule is a simple way to remember normal milestones:

• 1 hour – Foal should be standing.
• 2 hours – Foal should be nursing.
• 3 hours – Mare should pass the placenta.

Newborn Foals

A foal that appears normal at birth can rapidly deteriorate, so it is important for foals to be

monitored closely during their first week of life. There are several things to make sure you have checked on after the birthing process is complete.

• Ensure the mare is standing quietly allowing her foal to feed.
• Check that the foal is actually attaching properly to the teat and drinking milk. You’ll need to get quite close to be sure as foals will often look like they’re feeding properly when they’re not.
• Watch to make sure the foal has passed meconium (the first poo) and continues to defecate normally. Unproductive straining or a tail ‘flagging’ in the air can be a sign of constipation and should be investigated. Also check that the foal is urinating properly, from the correct place.
• Regularly observe the mare’s udder – if it is too full it may indicate the foal is not suckling properly, which could be the first sign of illness.
• Check that the foal is not lame – any signs of lameness in a newborn foal should be investigated by a veterinarian immediately.
• Perform an IGG blood test on the foal 24-36 hours post birth to ensure that the foal has received enough antibodies from the mare to fight off infection. This is especially important if there is any doubt over the foal’s milk intake in the first 24 hours or if the mare has run milk in the lead up to foaling.

Being well prepared helps ensure the best outcome for your mare and her foal. If you’re expecting a new arrival this season and have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at Bungendore Veterinary Surgery.

We’re here to help—before, during, and after the birth.