Parturition (Foaling)

Gestation duration: 340 days on average, but can range from 320 to 360 days.

 

Preparation for foaling:

• About one month before the expected foaling date, the mare should be housed inside during the night in a large, well bedded (straw), clean foaling stall with a non-slippery floor.

• Put a halter on the mare.

• Wrap the mare’s tail and clean her udder and hindquarters with water and mild soap.

• Have your vet's emergency phone number close by!

 

Signs of imminent foaling:

• Swollen udder: 2 to 4 weeks before foaling.

  • Warning! Udder swelling and / or loss of milk before 10 months of gestation is not normal and the mare must be examined by a veterinarian! This can be a sign of pregnancy-related pathology such as placental infection (placentitis), twinning, impending abortion, and so on.

• Edema and loosening of the vulva as well as loosening of the pelvic ligaments and gluteal muscles: usually a few days before foaling.

• Modification of the mammary secretions: presence of wax on the udders in the days preceding the foaling (usually from 1 to 4 days before).

  • Be careful, some mares do not wax or their udder develops very little!

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The stages of the birth:

The mare prefers calm and darkness to foal. More than 90% of foalings take place at night.

 

1. Preparation:

This first step can last from 30 minutes to 4 hours. The mare seems agitated, and seems to suffer from colic. This behavior is due to the movement of the foal in the belly of the mare: the foal is shifting in the ideal position. By doing so, the foal presses against the cervix which opens little by little. When one of the foetal membranes crosses the cervix, it will rupture (also known as the water breaking).

 

2. The birth of the foal:

Following the water breaking, the amnion (white membrane) appears in the vulva. Contractions begin and the foal must be born within 20 minutes. The 2 front legs are visible first with the end of the foal's nose extended over. If this is not the case or if the birth of the foal does not progress significantly in 10 minutes, the mare needs assistance and a veterinarian must intervene. In addition, if the foal does not break the amniotic membrane, it must be broken in order to clear the airways. Also, if a red (and not white) membrane appears on the vulva, it’s an emergency : you must open it urgently and quickly pull out the foal, otherwise it may choke. The mare lays down and remains there after the birth of the foal to allow blood from the placenta to flow through the umbilical cord to the newborn. It is important not to disturb the mare during this stage, if there is no visible problem, to allow the mare and her newborn to bond. Also, if the umbilical cord does not break, do not cut it yourself to avoid excessive bleeding!

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3. Placental delivery:

The placenta must be delivered within 3 hours after the birth of the foal. The hanging piece of placenta should be knotted on itself at the level of the mare’s hocks to prevent her from tearing it by walking on it. Never pull on the retained placenta !!! In fact, you risk tearing it and causing damage to the mare's uterus. If the placenta is not delivered within 3 hours, it is an emergency and a veterinarian must intervene. Once the placenta has been delivered, take it out of the stall and keep it in a bag in the fridge so that the vet can examine it later.

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Other possible complications:

• Tear of the perineum and the vulva: the mare will probably need stitches

• Vaginal perforation causing a fistula: recto-vaginal communication

• Ruptured uterine artery: usually fatal internal bleeding

• Signs of colic

• Signs of endotoxemic shock and / or laminitis

 

In any case, a noticeable change in the mare's attitude should alert you : take her temperature, monitor her and call your veterinarian.