Foaling and Neonatal Care

Leah C. Gray, DVM, diplomate ACVIM

PRAIRIE EQUINE HOSPITAL, PLLC
920 West Prairie Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83858
208-762-0930 * Fax: 208-772-3386

Delivering and raising a foal is exciting for both the novice and experienced horse owner. The process of foaling (parturition) can be both stressful and exhilarating at the same time. Paying special attention to detail and having some basic information can lead to a healthier and happier outcome.

A mare's gestational period is approximately 342 days on average. At approximately 30 days prior to foaling, the mare should receive her vaccinations. These usually include a 4-way (influenza, eastern and western encephalitis, tetanus) and rabies. This allows maternal antibodies to accumulate in the colostrum for maximum passive transfer when the foal suckles. In the last thirty days of pregnancy, you will notice some physiologic changes in your mare. She will start to "bag up" and develop a large udder. Her sacroiliac ligaments will start to relax so that the foal may be easily passed through the pelvic canal. This will appear as "softening" on either side of the tail head. Closer to foaling, she will develop "wax candles" at the end of her teats. Waxing usually occurs 24-48 hours prior to parturition but may occur as early as five to seven days. Maiden mares may have minimal mammary development with little to no waxing. You may notice a difference in the appearance of her abdomen. Closer to foaling, the foal will start to shift from a ventral dependent position to higher up in the flanks. Some mares may have decreased appetite and appear colicky when parturition is impending.

Mare and stall preparation: The foaling area should be clean and dry and free from drafts. A 12 X 24 foaling stall should suffice. My preference for bedding is good quality oat or wheat straw rather than shavings. The latter tends to be dusty and allows for greater contamination of the umbilical area. A video camera will allow you to monitor the mare without intruding on her privacy. The mare should have her udder and perineum (the area around her vulva) cleaned and her tail should be wrapped. Be careful not to wrap the tail too tight.

Stage one of parturition: The mare will appear colicky: restless, pacing, pawing, sweating, looking at her flanks, rolling, occasionally taking bites of hay. She is in the process of positioning the foal for a normal delivery.

Stage two of parturition: Within 5 minutes or less, you will notice a light blue translucent membrane protruding from the vulva. At this point the placental membranes will rupture and "water will break." Abdominal contractions will become evident and the rear limbs will be stiff with each contraction. Most mares will lay down at this point. In a normal presentation, the foal will present with two front feet, soles down, one usually in front of the other. The head will be seen at about the level of the knees. This stage of parturition (the actual delivery of the foal) should take no longer than 20-30 minutes. If you do not see the foal very soon after the "water breaks," please call immediately. This could be an emergency. After the foal has been delivered, the mare may remain laying down for up to 45 minutes. This is an important time period because a significant amount of blood is passed through the umbilical cord to the foal. The cord will eventually break naturally about 2 inches from the abdominal wall. Please do not cut or tie off the umbilical cord. If it remains bleeding, please call.

Stage three of parturition: This is the passage of the fetal membranes. This should occur within 3-6 hours following parturition. If the mare retains the placenta after this time, please call immediately.

Foal Emergencies: "Red bag" premature placental separation, only one leg presenting, one leg and the nose presenting, only the nose presenting, soles of feet facing upwards, prolonged parturition, meconium staining of the fetus, prematurity. Mare Emergencies: Mare unable to stand after delivery, continued signs of colic after delivery, hemorrhage, tears around the vulva, premature lactation, lack of mammary development and no milk.

Routine postpartum care of the newborn foal (neonate): It is routine practice to apply a disinfectant solution to the umbilical stump shortly after delivery. Chlorhexidine (nolvasan) 0.5% is preferable to the 1-2% iodine solutions. Do not use strong iodine or iodine tincture; this will burn and increase the chances of a patent urachus. The umbilical stump should be dipped daily for one week or until it is dry. Foals born in our region of the country, known to have selenium-deficient soils, should receive supplementation soon after birth if the mare has not received adequate selenium in her diet. The foal that is not passing its first fecal material (meconium) or has not urinated or is dribbling urine from the umbilicus should receive immediate medical attention.

The newborn foal's behavioral patterns should be observed closely following parturition. Healthy full-term foals are precocious neonates that have an effective suckle reflex within 20 minutes after birth, can stand within one hour, and nurse from the udder within two hours of delivery. A postpartum mare and foal examination should be performed within the first day of life, but a foal that deviates from this time line should be examined promptly. Furthermore, any high-risk foal (i.e. at risk for neonatal septicemia, foals with diarrhea or respiratory disease and weak foals) should receive broad-spectrum antimicrobials. The administration of one dose of penicillin at the time of birth is not recommended.

The behavior of the mare toward her foal should be assessed, and care should be taken to avoid activities that disrupt the bonding process. Maternal behavior is an instinct that begins during the immediate postpartum period. In some mares it is replaced by direct aggression or fear toward the foal. Many maiden mares are afraid of their foals. Possible causes of foal rejection may include pain associated with udder edema, uterine trauma following a difficult delivery, colic pain, interference with normal bonding by too much stall traffic, and lack of maternal experience. When working with a fearful mare, introducing the foal's hindquarters rather than the foal's face is far less threatening. If the aggression continues, the mare may need chemical or physical restraint both for your safety and for the safety of the foal. Please call if there is persistent aggression.

Have a wonderful foaling season and do not hesitate to call with questions or concerns.

Leah C. Gray, DVM, DACVIM