Warning Signs of Foaling Trouble

Before Labor Begins

• Normal gestation in horses can range between 315 and 365 days. A week or two before the 315-day mark, thoroughly scrub the the foaling stall. Check the stall carefully for protrusions that could harm the foal or the mother. During this time, line up a veterinarian and keep the phone number close at hand -- save it in a cellphone or tape it to your barn phone.

  Bring the mare to her stall when she begins to show early signs of impending parturition (labor), such as relaxation of the musculature around the tail or waxing on the udder. Wash your mare's udder and genital area and wrap her tail. Refresh or reapply the wrap as needed (several times a day if necessary) until foaling is complete.

Stage 1

• In early labor, which can last two to 24 hours, your mare might exhibit signs similar to colic as a part of the natural progression: restlessness and pacing, sporadic eating, and kicking or biting at the abdomen. Keep in mind that constipation associated with labor can cause colic; if colicky symptoms are extreme or continue for several hours, call your veterinarian to ensure the mare's safety.

Stage 2

• Stage 2 of labor, the delivery of the foal, can last from a few minutes to 30 minutes. The mare will usually lie on her side, but some stand. If your mare reclines, make sure she leaves room for the baby behind her, and reposition her if necessary. If she stands, lower the foal gently to the floor during birth, to minimize the risk of injury.

  The major concern during delivery is malposition of the foal in the birth canal. The foal should come out front feet first, soles to the ground, then the nose tucked between the knees. If you see the front feet without the nose, the nose without the feet, more than two feet, or upside-down feet, suspect malposition and call your vet immediately.

  If the foal is well positioned and birth progresses normally, the mare will usually rest after expulsion of the shoulders, and again after expulsion of the hips. Do not pull on a partially birthed foal except in cases of absolute need. If the birth progression stops for more than 10 minutes, apply gentle traction only during the mare's contractions. If the foal feels "stuck," try twisting the body very gently, which might free locked hips or shoulders from the pelvic girdle. If this technique doesn't work immediately, stop and call the veterinarian. Walk your mare until the vet arrives, as long as birth has not progressed so far that walking the mare could injure the foal.

Stage 3

• Once the baby is born, keep an eye on the mare. The placenta should be expelled fully within a few hours. Tie a partially expelled placenta above the mare's hocks where it can't be stepped upon. Never pull on a placenta, as you could tear the placenta or injure the mare's reproductive tract. If the placenta is not expelled fully within four hours, consider it a medical emergency and phone the vet.

  If the placenta is expelled fully, save it for examination by the vet or fill it with water and examine it yourself. Any holes or missing pieces could indicate retention. Any placental retention can permanently damage a mare's reproductive tract and could even be life-threatening.

  Follow the "1-2-3" Rule: A foal should stand within one hour and nurse within two. The placenta should be expelled within three hours. Once the baby is up and nursing and the placenta is properly expelled, you can relax and have a good nap.