During pregnancy, you should work with your veterinarian to have periodic evaluations to ensure mare and foal are progressing appropriately and both are remaining healthy. When it comes time for parturition (birth), there are several things you need to keep in mind and be prepared for. There are three stages of labor that progress at specific times. If you notice that one of these stages isn’t progressing as expected, contact your veterinarian right away.
Stages of Labor
Stage 1:
- Lasts 1-2 hours during which the mare may appear agitated and may stand up, lie down, and roll several times
- White fetal membranes may be visible at the mare’s vulva
- Stage 1 ends when the sac breaks and there is a rush of fluid out of the vulva
Stage 2:
- Takes no longer than 30 minutes
- If there is no progress within 10-15 minutes after the end of stage 1, call your veterinarian immediately
- Stage 2 ends when expulsion of the fetus occurs
Stage 3:
- Stage 3 occurs after complete expulsion of the fetus when the placenta (afterbirth) is passed
Red Flags (call the veterinarian!):
- Stages of labor are not progressing as they should/lasting longer than expected
- Red bag Delivery (premature placental separation) – red, velvety fetal membranes are present at the vulva at stage 1
- This is an emergency as the foal has lost its oxygen supply
Once the mare has foaled, heed to the 1, 2, 3 rule.
- The foal should stand within ONE hour of birth.
- The foal should nurse within TWO hours of birth.
- The placenta should be passed within THREE hours of birth.
If the mare and foal have not followed the 1, 2, 3 rule, call to consult with your veterinarian as the pair may need to be seen. In general, it is Bristol Veterinary Service’s recommendation that both mare and foal should be evaluated 24-48 hours post foaling to ensure health and catch any problems that may have developed during gestation or foaling. Once the placenta (afterbirth) has passed, please save it for evaluation by the veterinarian during the examination.
Our New Foal examination is designed to evaluate two main areas of concern:
- To find, diagnose, and treat developmental or congenital issues that are present that may affect the foal’s life or future viability
- To find, diagnose, and treat problems that may have occurred during foaling or the first days of life.
Areas of the New Foal Examination include:
- Nursing ability (ability to find teat, suckle, and swallow)
- IgG absorption and blood levels (performed around 12-16 hours post parturition) – evaluation of quality of mare’s colostrum and foal’s absorption of antibodies
- Digestive function, including passing of meconium
- Urogenital evaluation, including urination
- Navel or umbilical health and management
- Cardiovascular and respiratory function
- Mental alertness, attitude, and function
- Visual function
- Limb function and development
Areas of the Mare Examination include:
- Attitude, appetite, digestion, normal gastrointestinal and urogenital function
- Reproductive evaluation for damage to the birth canal
- Milk production, let down and quality
- Maternal instincts (attentiveness/attachment to foal or rejection of foal)
- Complete Placental passage