It can be exciting to have a pregnant mare.As her due date gets closer, you might be wondering how to help her through the birth of her foal.Provide your mare with a safe, spacious foaling space to make sure she's comfortable.As your mare starts to show signs of labor, it's a good idea to work with your vet to increase the odds that she will have a safe, healthy foaling experience.
Step 1: If you want the mare to foal indoors, prepare a large, clean birthing stall.
Since you will have more room to move around if you need to assist, choose a stall that is at least 14 feet tall or larger.If you're setting up the stall, make sure to check for any dangers that could be a danger to a new foal, like nails, splinters, hooks, and cracks in the flooring.If you don't know what to use, ask your vet to recommend one.If you live in a place with cold winters, an indoor stall is ideal.
Step 2: If you're using a birthing stall, make sure it's clean.
To prepare the stall, take everything out, including the bedding, and use a mild antiseptic, like 2% chlorhexidine or a 10% bleach solution.When you are done, cover the floors with wheat straw and let the stall air-dry.If the floor is covered with straw it can lead to mold growth.It's a good idea to avoid using wood as bedding.These can block the newborn's nose and prevent it from breathing.If you are going to move the mare to a new stall, you should give her about 3 weeks to get used to it.
Step 3: If you want to foal outdoors, keep the mare in a safe place.
If you live in a mild climate and have a large grassy pasture, you may want to let the mare foal outside.To section off the birthing area before the mare's due date, use a temporary fence, such as a snow fence.The mare should have plenty of room in the paddock, which should be at least 16 ft.The mare should be moved to this paddock when she starts showing signs of labor.It is fine to move her there sooner so she can acclimatize to the area.Try to find a section of land that hasn't been grazed in for 6 months prior to foaling.Don't use wire fence to close off the area.A newborn foal with poor eyesight might get tangled up in the wire and injured.
Step 4: You can store supplies in a container.
Foaling can happen very quickly so it is best to have everything you need.Store it in a large container that is large enough to hold everything, and place it near the birthing stall or inside the area you sectioned off in your pasture.While you should discuss the exact supplies you will need with your vet, here are some things that you might want to have on hand.
Step 5: The mare should not be near fescue grass before the foals birth.
If your mare is regularly grazed on fescue grass, move her to another pasture or board her indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the foal is due to be born.The risk of lowered milk production can be caused by fescue grass.Fescue is a type of tall grass that is normally fine for horses to eat, but it's high in alkaloids, which are dangerous to the foal.The grass can be affected by an endophyte fungus that can produce more alkaloids.
Step 6: The mare needs to bevaccinated about a month before she foals.
As with any vaccinations, you should ask your vet about the specifics.It is a good idea to give your mare a tetanus vaccine.The health of the mare and foal will be protected by these vaccinations.
Step 7: Offer the oats to the mare in the last week before delivery.
Cut the amount of grain you give your mare about a week before she goes into labor.Each day, give her 2 lbs of oats and 4 pounds of Bran, divided into 2 meals.After the foal is born, gradually increase the mare's grain until her feed is back to normal.It is possible that your mare will become constipated before or after the delivery of the foal.Before you make changes to your horse's diet, make sure to check with your vet.
Step 8: The mare needs to be checked daily for signs of labor.
Even if she hasn't gone into labor yet, your mare's body will start to prepare for the delivery in the days before she gives birth.There is a chance that the mare's vagina is swollen.Check under her belly for swollen teats and see if the area around the base of the mare's tail seems more prominent.The signs say that delivery is a few days away.A clear discharge around the mare's vulvar is a normal sign of impending labor.It is perfectly normal for a horse's teats to have a thick, yellowish secretion coming from them.Colostrum is a special milk for newborn foals and is produced by the mare.The foal may take up to 4 days to be born.If you see a lot of milk coming from the mare's udders, call your vet.If it's a sign of a problem with the baby, your vet might want you to collect and freeze the milk.
Step 9: Wrap the mare.
When a mare starts to go into labor, you might see her kick at her belly, lie down, or even bite her flanks.She might urinate more than usual.When you see this, braid the mare's tail, then tie it up with a clean wrap so it won't get in the way of the delivery.The signs indicate that the mare is in labor.Sometimes a mare can only stay in the first stage for 20 minutes, while other times it may take her several hours to progress to the second stage.
Step 10: Warm, soapy water can be used to wash the mare's udder.
If you notice that the mare is going into early labor, it is advisable to clean her thoroughly.Put a bucket with soap and warm water in it and wipe the mare down all over her body.The soap should be washed away with warm water.Warm water will make your horse more comfortable.The mare should be moved to her birthing stall or sectioned-off area if she isn't already there.If you plan to be present for the birth, stay close.In most cases, a mare will deliver her foal on her own.
Step 11: If the water breaks, stay close to the mare.
The start of the second stage of labor occurs when the foal's membranes breaks.If you are going to be present for the birth, this is a good sign.The foal must be delivered within 30 minutes or it will die.It is easy to confuse the horse's water break with urination.It will be between 2 and 5 US gal of fluid.A horse usually produces 2.5 US gal over the course of a day.If labor doesn't progress within 10 minutes of the mare's water breaking, call your vet.
Step 12: If something is not right, let the mare foal on her own.
Most of the time, mares are able to deliver their foals unassisted.It might be tempting to help her, but the best thing you can do is give her plenty of space as she goes through the foaling process.In a normal birth, you should see one front foot first with the hoof down, followed closely by a second.The foal's neck, shoulders, and hindquarters should come next.The foal may be in the wrong position if you notice any deviation from the order.The vet can help you turn the foal.You need to put on gloves and a sterile sleeve.
Step 13: The membranes should be torn open immediately if they are red or maroon.
The membranes are usually translucent.The appearance of red streaks is a sign that the placenta has separated.If you want to open the placenta quickly, use your hands or round-tip scissors.This can be fatal and is called a red bag delivery.
Step 14: If the foal feels stuck, gently rotating it one way.
A foal's hip bones can get trapped and keep it from sliding.If the foal isn't moving, gently twist it counterclockwise.Time the movement so you can see how the mare is pushing.If it doesn't work on the first try, call your vet.Pull on a foal that is stuck in the birth canal.You can cause a lot of damage to the mare.
Step 15: If the mare is standing, assist the foal to the ground.
Occasionally a mare will stand.If it is possible to catch it and lower it to the ground, the foal can be seriously injured if it falls during birth.Don't get kicked if you avoid the mare's hooves.
Step 16: The foal's airway should be clear if it doesn't break on its own.
The foal will either break as it emerges from the mare or it will clean it away.If the foal isn't breathing and the membranes are covering its mouth and nose, you can use a soft, dry towel to remove it.There is no need to do this if the foal is breathing normally.When possible, leave the mare and foal undisturbed.
Step 17: If the foal isn't breathing well, Rub it vigorously with a towel.
There are times when foals need help to start breathing on their own.If the foal is breathing weakly or not breathing at all, rub its neck, chest, and sides with a dry towel.This can help it breathe easier.If you have someone else call the vet, you can rub the foal with the towels.
Step 18: If the cord doesn't break after 25 minutes, twist and break it.
Once the mare stands up, the cord will break on its own.If it doesn't, find the narrowest spot on the cord, which should be about 2.5 cm from the foal's navel.If you want the cord to break, you have to twist it and pull it.If the cord doesn't break right away, you may see a pulse.The transfer of blood from the uterus to the foal is still happening.If it hasn't broken on its own, wait until the cord stops throbbing before you break it.The risk of excessive bleeding increases if you cut the cord with a knife or scissors.Call your vet if the cord is gushing blood.You can tie off the cord with a piece of string.
Step 19: Give the mare and foal time to rest.
Foaling is tiring for the mare and the foal need time to recover.They need to be allowed to spend time together.Encourage them to rest, and keep other animals and people away for the first few days.
Step 20: The mare needs food and water.
The mare may want to eat right away, but she will probably be thirsty after her experience.She should have plenty of fresh food and the same blend you gave her during her pregnancy.Provide plenty of fresh water but make sure the trough or bucket is high enough off the ground to prevent the foal from falling into it.
Step 21: If the mare rejects the foal, remove it temporarily.
The foal should be removed from the stall if the mare does not clean or nurse it.If you restrain the mare with a harness and lead, then lead the foal back to her, have someone else hold the baby.As the foal approaches the mare, talk to her in a soothing voice.Place your fingers in the foal's mouth, similar to how you would milk a cow, and use your hand to express a little colostrum from the mare.Continue until the foal starts nursing from the teat.If the mare has a swollen udder, nursing may be uncomfortable for her at first, which is why it is important to restrain her long enough for the foal to start suckling.It is rare for a mare to reject her foal, especially if it is her first birth.