Foaling Information

The following are the notes used by Dr. Conaway in his annual foaling seminar.  We cannot stress enough the importance of preparing for your mare’s foaling.  Please don’t underestimate the importance of prenatal care for your mare and the benefits of professional veterinary care.

Foaling

Length of Gestation

The range of normal gestational length in the mare is wide, 335-355 days, with the average length being 345 days.
Typically the due date is calculated by taking two weeks off of a full year from the last breeding date.
Normal foals have been reported from gestational lengths as varied as 304 days to 400 days.
Gestational lengths are longer by an avg. of ten days for mares that are due in late winter or early spring.
Gestational lengths avg. ten days shorter in mares that have been kept under lights during winter.
Colts have an avg. gestational length of four days longer than fillies.
Seventy percent of mares foal between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM.

Overdue Mares

This occurs often and can be a source of great concern to the owner.  As we have seen, one mare’s normal gestational length may vary greatly from another mare.  Some mares go 365 days every year and deliver a normal foal.  This length is considered outside the average length but can be normal for an individual mare.

Factors that control gestational length:

• Foals are not delivered until they are physiologically ready to exist outside the mare’s protective environment.
• Foal maturity: foals that are genetically slow to mature in the uterus take longer to form and will therefore have a longer gestational length.
• A nutritionally malnourished fetus will take longer to mature in the uterus.  Malnourishment may occur from:
  • poor feeding or poor placentation. 
  • A mare that has a poor placental attachment cannot pass nutrients as readily to the developing fetus.
• Time of the year: a foal due early in the year may take an average of 10 days longer to arrive.

Signs of Impending Delivery

Prior to delivery the mare undergoes changes in preparation for delivery, these changes are most pronounced in the mammary glands and the pelvic ligaments. Close attention to these structures can clue the caretaker as to when to expect foaling.

Parturition is the term used for foaling or delivery

1) Mammary Gland Changes:

• Usually a reliable indicator
• Enlargement begins 4‑6 weeks prior to foaling, initially there is a gradual slow enlargement of both glands with the nipple either recessed in the gland or hanging down and pointed toward the midline.
• As the mare approaches the last 2 weeks of gestation the gland dramatically increases in size and the teats engorge.
• When foaling is close the teats enlarge and move outward from the midline so the foal can find the nipple easily.
• The teats engorge with colostrum (first milk) and usually drip a thick white substance from the ends of the teats that has the appearance of candle wax. This is called waxing up.  It indicates foaling is within 24‑48 hours.
• Colostrum: this is a thick honey colored, sticky substance produced by the mammary gland. It contains high levels of antibodies produced by the mare's immune system and stored in the mammary gland. It contains protection against the common diseases the foal is likely to encounter.
  • The foal is born without a competent immune system and relies on the mare for temporary protection until his own immune system is capable of producing antibodies.
  • The foal can absorb colostrum for the first 12 hours of life.
  • CAUTION!!:  it is important that the colostrum doesn't leak out. It is only produced once and if lost it cannot be replaced by the mare.
  • Colostrum contains all the antibodies the newborn will require to survive for the first few months of life.
  • If the expectant mare is leaking first milk prior to foaling steps should be taken to harvest the colostrum and save it until the foal arrives. It can then be administered to the foal after delivery.
  • If the mare is leaking colostrum she should have both udders milked until the leaking stops, the harvested colostrum is then filtered (coffee filters work well) and frozen. When thawing the frozen colostrum after the foal arrives, use only warm water baths, DO NOT MICROWAVE, administer the colostrum using a plastic Coke bottle with a goat nipple.  The hole in the end of the goat nipple may have to be enlarged. 
  • The colostrum must be delivered to the foal before 12 hours of age. If the new born will not accept the bottle a veterinarian should be consulted.

• Mammary changes are usually consistent from year to year in individual mares; however there is much variation between mares. Some develop early and wax right on schedule but others may only develop a bag a few days prior to foaling and not wax at all. You need to know your mare, keep notes on her foaling habits for future reference.

2) Relaxation of Muscles and Ligaments

• This is seen in the muscles around the pelvis and occurs just prior to foaling
• The gluteal muscles appear to hollow out and the tail head appears to elevate.
• The vulva elongates and appears soft, it is somewhat open and the mucosa may be visible.

The relaxation allows for dilation of the birth canal as the foal passes through.

Stages of Parturition:

Foaling is a continuous process divided into 3 stages for descriptive purposes.

Stage One of Labor:

• During gestation the foal is positioned in the uterus lying on its back with the legs up and the head directed toward the cervix. 
• For the foal to be delivered the head and fore legs must extend and rotate through the cervix and into the birth canal.
• Fetal movement of the head, forelimb extension and increased uterine contractions marks the first stage of delivery.  If the contractions are not strong enough to result in delivery the activity ceases. The result is an episode of false labor.
• If the uterine and fetal activity is strong enough to result in delivery, the uterine contractions become progressively stronger and increase in frequency until the pressure generated in the uterus is sufficient to dilate the cervix and rupture the placenta, expelling the allantoic fluid through the birth canal and out the vulva.
• This is called breaking the water.

Signs of First Stage:

• Sweating on the neck, behind the elbows, and in the flank area
• Restlessness, pacing
• Mild colic symptoms, up and down, wringing tail, looking at side, raising tail
• Frequent passage of urine and manure

The increased uterine contractions cause cramping sensations in the mare and explain the signs of first stage of labor.  The increased uterine activity also causes the fetus to extend its head and forelimbs and rotate it's torso into an upright position in the birth canal.

   
CAUTION:   the placenta may extend through the cervix into the birth canal and out the vulva without rupturing.  This is due to premature placental separation. The placental attachment to the uterus has separated without rupturing and the foal is being delivered inside the placental sac.

•  With this condition the foal has been removed from its maternal oxygen supply during delivery and may not be able to escape the leathery placental enclosure after delivery.
• The diagnostic symptom of premature placental separation is a large burgundy colored membrane protruding from the vulva; it may have white streaks arranged in a star like fashion.
• With this condition, time is important.   Call your veterinarian as soon as possible, consultation is extremely important.

Manual rupture of the protruding placenta is often required, taking care to not injure surrounding tissue or the underlying fetus. Delivery of the foal by assisting with traction on the front legs is helpful.

Stage Two of Labor:

The rupture of the placenta and the passage of allantoic fluid mark the beginning of the second stage. It ends with the delivery of the foal.

Contractions: 

• As the foal is pushed out of the uterus and into the vagina by strong uterine contractions it stimulates strong abdominal muscle contractions that assist in the delivery of the foal.
• As the foal approaches the vulvar opening the white amniotic membrane precedes it.
• At this point the contraction forces mount and occur in groups of 3or 4 with rest periods of 2‑3 minutes.
• Often the mare will stop pushing and get up and change locations and then return to decumbency and start pushing again. This activity may be important in repositioning the foal in the birth canal.

Arrival of the Foal: 

• Soon after the appearance of the white amniotic sac at the vulva, a front leg should appear followed by the second front hoof.
• The normal configuration is two hooves with one in front of the other with the bottom of the fetal hoof facing the mares back legs.  The nose should become visible soon after the hooves. These structures are covered with a white somewhat transparent membrane.
• Continued forceful contractions deliver the torso and hind legs.

Elapsed Time: The time from breaking the water to delivery of the foal should not exceed 20 minutes

CAUTION: 

Call the Vet if:      

• Stage 2 is prolonged and nothing happens within 20 minutes of the water breaking.
• Positioning is not normal, if anything other than two front feet and a nose appears

Premature placental separation occurs, consult over the phone is helpful

Stage Three of Labor

• This involves the delivery of the fetal membranes.
• Once the foal is delivered the strong pushing and contractions should stop, however the uterus continues to contract to expel the placenta and fetal fluid.
• The continued contraction results in a decrease in uterine size and detachment of the placental membrane.
• As the placenta comes loose each horn inverts and rolls out of the uterus. When found on the ground the plaenta is inside out.  The slick shiny surface is the side that forms the allantoic sac and the thick red inside is the placental tissue that was attached to the uterus.
• During the third stage the mare will occasionally show signs of discomfort due to uterine contractions and cramps.
• Passage of the placenta should occur within 4 hours.
• It should be inspected for completeness to insure that all the membrane has been expelled.
  • There should be two horns and a body, any suspicious areas that may be missing could be retained in the uterus and cause problems.
  • If there is any doubt the membranes should be put on ice and saved for veterinary inspection.

CAUTION: retention of the fetal membranes or portions of the placenta past 4 hours can result in severe infection, laminitis and systemic illness. The veterinarian should be consulted if the placenta is retained for more than four hours, or if you expect portions are missing and may be retained in the uterus.

PRACTICAL MONITORING OF FOALING

Preparation:

• The mare should be located in the area she will foal at least 6 weeks prior to due date to allow her to become adjusted to surroundings and produce antibodies to the local disease causing agents.
• When she shows strong signs of impending foaling such as engorged mammary glands, the stall should be prepared by cleaning the walls, the water bucket and removal of feces and urine stained soil. 
• The stall should be examined for protruding objects the foal can injure himself on or spaces the foal may become entrapped in.
• The foaling area should be enclosed to protect from weather and other horses, dogs, people etc. 
• There should be no space at the bottom of the enclosure that the foal can pass through during delivery or afterward while lying down.
• The foaling area should be a minimum of 12x12 however 12x16 is preferable.

Monitoring The Foaling Mare

• Once the mare shows signs of impending foaling she should be watched through the night, especially between the hours of 10:00 PM and 2:00am
• Monitoring should be unobtrusive; the foaling area should be quiet, dimly lit and secure feeling for the mare.

Methods of Monitoring The Foaling Mare:   
1) Beepers that signal when a mare goes down and starts to deliver, based on either a belly band that senses contractions or a sensor that is sutured into the vulva and senses vulvar separation.

2) Video Cameras or 'Web Cams

3) Viewing window with a cot in the stall or room adjacent to the foaling stall

4) Get up hourly and check the mare.

Normal Foaling

• When symptoms of first stage of labor occur the mare should be closely watched until the foal arrives.
• The foaling area should be kept quiet and free of commotion, neighbors, children, video cameras, dogs, radios etc. should be held to a minimum. Arrivals at the barn should be managed to prevent disturbing the mare.
• During foaling the mare should be watched closely but quietly from outside the stall. When the amniotic sac arrives it is advisable to inspect the delivery to check for normal presentation.
• Once the foal is delivered the mare will lie quietly for up to 20 minutes while the foal is moving around behind her. This is time for the mare to recover from a physically demanding delivery and also time for the fetal blood that is still in the placental membrane to be squeezed through the umbilicus into the foal. Disturbing the mare at this crucial time could result in her jumping up to protect the foal and interrupting the important rest and blood transferal?
• Umbilicus: once the foal is delivered it will lie on the ground behind the mare, DO NOT CUT THE UMBILICUS; the foal will cause separation of the umbilicus with his own activity and attempts to get up. Once the umbilicus is separated dip the stump in Betadine solution or Chlorhexidine solution.
• Newborn: the foal should be active right after birth; it should be able to raise its head and position itself on its sternum. Soon after arrival the foal should be attempting to rise.  It should be up trying to nurse within 2 hours.
• Mare Behavior: the mare should rise soon after foaling, within 20 minutes, and begin to exhibit maternal behavior such as nuzzling the foal, licking, nickering and displaying protective behavior.

REASONS FOR ALARM

• Excessive colic symptoms during the first stage of labor, consult the vet.
• A dark red bulging membrane appears at the vulva and the water has not broken, this indicates the placenta has prematurely separated. Rapid action must be taken!! The placenta must be ruptured either with your finger or a blunt pointed object. Use extreme caution to not injure surrounding tissue or the foal’s limbs. The foal is then grasped and traction is judiciously applied to assist in rapid delivery. If the foal is left too long in the birth canal with a prematurely separated placenta it can suffer oxygen deficit. With this condition there is rarely time to wait for a vet to arrive; consultation on the telephone is helpful, if available.
• Once the water breaks the mare should be timed, if foaling is not complete or nearly so in 20 minutes CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN.
• Elbow lock: if you determine that the nose is located behind one of the knees and the mare is having trouble getting that elbow over the brim of the pelvis gentle traction on the affected limb when the mare is not pushing will often alleviate the problem.
• Any presentation that does not include two front feet and a nose is ABNORMAL and potentially dangerous. CONSULT A VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY.
• A weak foal that does not lift its head or assume sternal positioning right after birth is potentially diseased or damaged. CONSULT A VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY.
• A foal that is not able to rise and attempt nursing by 2 hours of age is potentially damaged or diseased. CONSULT A VETERINARIAN.
• It is imperative that a foal receives colostrum within the first 12 hours of age, if you suspect that this has not occurred CONSULT A VETERINARIAN.
• If the after birth has not passed within 4 hours CONSULT A VETERINARIAN
• The foal should be examined at 24 hours of age to check for adequate levels of antibodies.  This test is done on healthy and unhealthy foals.

Chances are pretty good that your veterinarian won’t need that phone call at 3:30 a.m. to know that everything went fine.

Foaling Kits
                           
Create a foaling kit with the following items:

4.5 oz Enema
4” Vet Wrap for tail wrap
Plastic bag for placenta
1 goat nipple
1 Probios Equine Gel
1 tube of Sterile Lubricant
Chlorhexidine Solution (1 part Chlorhexidine & 10 parts water)
2 pairs of exam gloves
2 pairs of sterile arm length sleeves.