What to Do When Your Mare is Foaling?
The crucial thing what to do when mare is foaling? is to observe from a distance, allowing her to foal naturally while being prepared to intervene if necessary to ensure a safe delivery for both mare and foal. This readiness includes having the appropriate supplies and understanding the stages of labor.
Understanding the Importance of Preparation
Foaling is a natural process, but being prepared is paramount to ensure a safe and healthy outcome for both mare and foal. A well-thought-out plan can significantly reduce the risk of complications. Knowing what to do when mare is foaling? beforehand is key to stress-free foaling season. This article will serve as a guide to help you through this critical time.
Preparing for Foaling: Setting the Stage
Before the big day arrives, take the following steps:
- Veterinarian Consultation: Consult with your veterinarian well in advance. They can assess your mare’s health, estimate the foaling date, and provide specific advice tailored to your mare’s needs. Discuss emergency plans.
- Foaling Area Preparation: Prepare a clean, safe, and spacious foaling area, ideally a 12′ x 12′ (or larger) stall bedded deeply with straw. Straw is preferred over shavings as it is less likely to cling to the foal.
- Foaling Kit Assembly: Assemble a foaling kit containing essential supplies, including:
- Clean towels
- Antiseptic solution (e.g., povidone-iodine) for the foal’s umbilical cord
- OB lubricant
- Sterile gloves
- Tail bandage for the mare
- Watch or timer
- Scissors
- Flashlight
- Enema for the foal (if necessary)
- Bottle and nipple for the foal (in case of mare rejection or insufficient milk)
- Know Your Mare’s Baseline: Familiarize yourself with your mare’s normal vital signs and behavior. This will help you recognize any deviations that may indicate a problem.
The Stages of Labor: A Detailed Breakdown
Understanding the stages of labor is crucial when determining what to do when mare is foaling?. Knowing what to expect and when to intervene is critical.
| Stage | Description | Duration | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| :———- | :————————————————————————————————————————————— | :————— | :—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| Stage 1 | This is the preparation stage. The mare may show signs of restlessness, pacing, frequent urination/defecation, and mild colic-like symptoms. | 1-4 hours | Observe from a distance. Ensure the mare is in a safe and comfortable environment. This is not the time for intervention unless the mare is clearly distressed for a prolonged period. |
| Stage 2 | This is the actual delivery of the foal. The amniotic sac (water bag) ruptures, followed by the appearance of the foal’s front feet and nose. | 20-30 minutes | Allow the mare to strain naturally. If the foal is not progressing after 20-30 minutes of active labor, or if the presentation is abnormal (e.g., only one foot visible, a head turned back), call your veterinarian immediately. |
| Stage 3 | This is the passing of the placenta (afterbirth). | 30 minutes – 3 hours | Observe the placenta to ensure it is complete and intact. Retained placentas can lead to serious complications. Contact your veterinarian if the placenta is not passed within 3 hours. |
When to Intervene: Recognizing Potential Problems
While most foalings proceed without complications, it’s essential to know when to intervene. Knowing what to do when mare is foaling? in an emergency can be the difference between life and death.
- Red Bag Delivery: If a bright red, velvety membrane appears at the vulva before the water breaks, this is a red bag delivery, indicating premature placental separation. This is an emergency. Quickly cut open the membrane and pull the foal out.
- Dystocia (Difficult Birth): If the mare is straining forcefully for more than 20-30 minutes without progress, or if the presentation is abnormal, call your veterinarian immediately. Do not attempt to pull the foal without professional guidance, as this can cause serious injury to both mare and foal.
- Retained Placenta: If the placenta is not passed within 3 hours after foaling, it is considered a retained placenta. This can lead to infection and laminitis. Contact your veterinarian for treatment.
- Foal Not Nursing: Ensure the foal nurses within the first few hours of life to receive colostrum, which provides essential antibodies. If the foal is unable or unwilling to nurse, consult your veterinarian about providing colostrum supplementation.
Post-Foaling Care: Ensuring a Healthy Start
After foaling, focus on providing essential care for both the mare and foal.
- Dip the Foal’s Umbilical Cord: Dip the foal’s umbilical cord in antiseptic solution (e.g., povidone-iodine) several times a day for the first few days to prevent infection.
- Ensure the Foal Receives Colostrum: Colostrum is crucial for the foal’s immune system. Observe the foal nursing and check for proper colostrum absorption with a blood test 12-24 hours after birth.
- Monitor the Mare and Foal: Closely monitor the mare and foal for any signs of illness or complications, such as fever, lethargy, or diarrhea.
- Schedule a Veterinary Checkup: Schedule a veterinary checkup for both the mare and foal within 24 hours of foaling to ensure they are healthy and thriving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Understanding common mistakes can help prevent them. These mistakes can impact the health of the mare and foal.
- Over-Intervention: Resist the urge to interfere unless necessary. Allowing the mare to foal naturally is generally best.
- Lack of Preparation: Failing to prepare a foaling kit and the foaling environment adequately.
- Ignoring Warning Signs: Missing early signs of labor or complications.
- Delaying Veterinary Assistance: Hesitating to call your veterinarian when faced with a difficult birth or other complications.
FAQs: Decoding Foaling Concerns
What to do when mare is foaling? comes with a variety of questions; here are a few to help you better understand the entire process.
What are the first signs that my mare is going into labor?
The first signs of labor (Stage 1) in a mare can be subtle and include restlessness, pacing, frequent urination/defecation, and mild colic-like symptoms. The mare may also show signs of nesting behavior, such as pawing at the ground. Monitoring your mare closely in the days leading up to her expected foaling date is crucial to detect these early signs.
How long does each stage of labor typically last?
Stage 1 typically lasts 1-4 hours, Stage 2 (the actual delivery of the foal) typically lasts 20-30 minutes, and Stage 3 (the passing of the placenta) typically lasts 30 minutes to 3 hours. Any significant deviation from these timelines warrants veterinary consultation.
What is a “red bag delivery” and why is it an emergency?
A “red bag delivery” occurs when the placenta prematurely separates from the uterine wall before the foal is delivered. The bright red, velvety membrane seen is the chorioallantois. This deprives the foal of oxygen, making it a life-threatening emergency. You must quickly cut open the membrane and deliver the foal.
How can I tell if the foal is in the correct position for delivery?
The foal should be positioned in the anterior presentation, meaning the front feet and nose are presented first. The front feet should be one slightly ahead of the other. Any other presentation (e.g., breech, head turned back, one leg back) is considered abnormal and requires veterinary assistance.
What should I do if the foal is not breathing after delivery?
Clear the foal’s nostrils of any mucus or debris. Gently rub the foal’s chest to stimulate breathing. If the foal is still not breathing, consider mouth-to-nose resuscitation or contact your veterinarian immediately for further guidance.
How soon after foaling should the foal nurse?
The foal should nurse within the first 1-3 hours of life to receive colostrum. Colostrum provides essential antibodies that protect the foal from infection. If the foal does not nurse within this timeframe, you may need to milk the mare and bottle-feed the foal or consult your veterinarian.
How can I ensure the foal receives enough colostrum?
Observe the foal nursing and check for proper colostrum absorption with a blood test 12-24 hours after birth. This test measures the foal’s immunoglobulin (IgG) levels. If IgG levels are low, the foal may need colostrum supplementation or a plasma transfusion.
What is meconium, and when should I be concerned?
Meconium is the foal’s first feces, which is typically dark and sticky. The foal should pass meconium within the first 24 hours of life. If the foal strains excessively without passing meconium, an enema may be necessary.
How often should I dip the foal’s umbilical cord?
Dip the foal’s umbilical cord in antiseptic solution (e.g., povidone-iodine) several times a day for the first few days of life. This helps prevent infection from entering the foal’s bloodstream through the umbilical stump.
What are the signs of a retained placenta in the mare?
A retained placenta is diagnosed when the placenta is not passed within 3 hours after foaling. Signs of a retained placenta include visible placental membranes hanging from the vulva, fever, depression, and laminitis. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect a retained placenta.
When should I schedule a veterinary checkup for the mare and foal after foaling?
Schedule a veterinary checkup for both the mare and foal within 24 hours of foaling. The veterinarian will assess their overall health, check for any complications, and provide guidance on post-foaling care.
What are the long-term considerations for mare after foaling?
Continue to provide optimal nutrition to support milk production and recovery. Monitor for signs of uterine infection or laminitis, and maintain a deworming and vaccination schedule as recommended by your veterinarian. Ensure the mare has adequate turnout and socialization.
Knowing what to do when mare is foaling? is a great start, but be sure to contact your veterinarian when you have additional questions or if anything seems out of the ordinary.