Foaling Crisis Bureau

THE MARE DURING PREGNANCY

IMPENDING FOALING & COLOSTRUM

THE THREE STAGES OF LABOUR

FIRST FEW HOURS OF FOAL'S LIFE

POST FOALING VET CHECK

FUTURE MARE MANAGEMENT

THE MARE DURING PREGNANCY

LENGTH OF PREGNANCY
The length of pregnancy in mares is highly variable (330 to 370 days). A rule of thumb is that the due date is 11 months plus 1 week from the last covering date.

Once your mare is in foal it is important that the last few months of the pregnancy are well planned:

DIET
The aim is to increase the level of nutrition in the last 3 months of pregnancy. A broodmare should not be allowed to become too thin or too fat. The diet for the last stages of pregnancy should ideally be a propriety brood mare diet, as this will include the correct minerals & nutrients in the right balance for foal development. She should initially be fed by eye resulting in a gradual increase in weight prior to foaling.
FARRIERY
It is usual to remove the mare's shoes when foaling becomes imminent, to lessen the damage caused if the mare stands on the foal. Some mares may become foot-sore without shoes - take veterinary or your farrier's advice. It is important to maintain hoof health with regular trims.
WORMING
Ideally you mare should be following a worming programme recommended by your vet. In the last month before foaling you mare should be wormed with an Ivermedtin product, such as Equvalan or Furexel.
VACCINATION
Influenza & tetanus vaccination status should be up to date (FT1, FT2 between 21 - 92 days later, FT3 between 150 & 215 days later, then annual boosters). The mare should be given a booster vaccination within the last month of pregnancy.

Vaccination to reduce the risk of abortion caused by Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV1)can be performed at 5, 7 & 9 months of pregnancy. Mares at risk of EHV1 abortion are those at yards where horses are coming & going & thus may bring infection.

Vaccination to increase the foal's Colostrum derived immunity to diarrhoea caused by Rotavirus infection can be performed at 7, 9 & 10 months of pregnancy.

SWABS & BLOOD SAMPLES
If you mare is going to foal down or to be covered after foaling at a stud, there may be requirements to have her swabbed for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) & to have a blood sample taken to test for Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA). These can be taken prior to foaling. It is essential to check with the stud what is required.
CASLICKS VULVOPLASTY
Some mares require their Vulva to be stitched (Caslicked) in order for them to conceive. This is because air & bacteria are sucked into the vagina as a result of a poor vulval seal. Prior to foaling it is essential that the Caslicks is reversed in order to prevent tearing of the vulva & anus as the foal is born. This is typically done when the mare starts showing signs of mammary gland development. Some mares such as maiden mares give little warning of imminent foaling & as such it is better to have the Caslicks reversed sooner, rather than leaving it to the last minute. In order to plan the best time to perform this task please contact your practice & discuss this with your usual vet. It can usually be tied in with one of the other pre-foaling visits.
STABLE & PADDOCK PREPARATION
Mares can be foaled out in a paddock, particularly if the weather is likely to be good at the time of foaling. Most mares foal at night & as such a stable environment may be preferable as this allows ease of observation. If the mare is to foal in a paddock then a suitable stable should be available in the event of a complication.

The stable should be secure & as clean as possible with a comfortable straw bed. Good lighting & clean water should be available. Ideally a small well fenced nursery paddock, close to the stable should be provided for turn out during the first few days & weeks of the foal's life. The paddock should be clean & level, without any hazards & preferably rested before foaling.

Ideally mares should be moved to their foaling site at least a month prior to foaling. This will minimise any stress & will allow the mare's immune system to respond to any Pathogens in the new environment. Hopefully this new specific immunity will be passed on to the foal in the Colostrum

SIGNS OF IMPENDING FOALING
The mare herself will start to show signs of impending foaling. These may occur several weeks before foaling or may start much closer. The signs include development of the udder; swelling in front of the udder; slackening of the pelvic ligaments resulting hollowing & softening of the quarters; lengthening & relaxation of the vulva; changes in temperament & the production of "wax" on the teats. The "waxing up" of the mare is one of the last signs to occur.
MARE MONITORING
Most mares foal without complication however, it is important that they are monitored regularly as the foaling becomes imminent. Mares prefer to foal when all is quiet, as such it is important that the checks do not disturb them. The stable can be fitted with a low wattage bulb that can be left on. Small cameras are available so that foaling mare can be observed from a distance & sweat alarms can be used to indicate an imminent labour. In high risk mares with complications the milk secretions can be monitored to more accurately identify when labour is likely to begin.
COLOSTRUM WASTAGE
During the last month of pregnancy the udder produced the first milk, Colostrum. THis is rich in antibodies that protect the foal from infection. Prior to foaling some mares drip or run milk & as a result lose the valuable Colostrum - Once lost it is not replaced. If this occurs 200ml volumes can be milked from the mare & frozen, . This stored Colostrum can be thawed & bottle fed to the foal in the first 6 hours after foaling. Alternatively you can buy Colostrum for use in this situation. It may be wise to purchase some Colostrum together with a tub of dried Foal Milk, as a stand-by in case of emergency.

THE THREE STAGES OF LABOUR
While a mare is foaling, it is better to minimise interference & to only respond when there is a problem. There are three stages of labour.

The first stage is when the foal is getting into the correct position to be born, this may take several hours. During this time the mare may become restless, sweat, look at her flanks, get up & down.

The second stage of labour begins with the passing and breaking of the water bag, it ends with the complete birth of the foal.

Ideally mares should foal lying down. The second stage of labour involves the forceful uterine & abdominal contractions required to give birth to the foal. Typically the mare will be lying on her side. Once the foal's head has been passed it may be necessary to clean any membranes from the nostrils. The average length of the second stage is 17 minutes - if, after this length of time, when forceful expulsive efforts have been made & the foal has not been produced, veterinary assistance should be sought.

The third stage of labour involves the passing of the placenta. Once the mare stands after foaling, the placenta should be knotted at the level of the hocks to prevent the mare from standing on it. The placenta is usually passed within one hour, if it is not passed within three hours, veterinary assistance will be required. The placenta should be kept for your vet to examine - See Vet Check of Mare & Foal below.

THE FIRST FEW HOURS OF THE FOAL'S LIFE
Once the foal has been born, if all is well, the mare will usually lie quietly on her side or sitting on her chest for a few minutes. During this time the foal's hind legs will probably still be in the birth canal & the foal's umbilicus will still be attached to the placenta - as such as much blood from the placenta as possible will be retained by the foal. The umbilicus will break at a natural weak point when the mare stands - it should not be cut of clamped. Once the cord has broken it should be treated with a 1.5% chlorhexidine solution or liberally sprayed with antibiotic spray. After a few minutes the foal can be pulled, on it's back by the front legs, under the mare's nose for her to lick - although she may have already moved around to be near her baby. It is essential that the mare-foal bond be firmly established in the first few hours after foaling, thus minimal interference is recommended.
SUCKLING
Foals generally stand within the first 30 - 60 minutes & very quickly hunt for the milk bar. The first suckle is usually observed within 2 hours. With minimal interference the foal may need gentle steering in the direction of the udder. Some mares may need to be restrained to allow the foal to suckle for the first time. If the foal does not suckle within 4 hours, veterinary advice should be sought. the best time for absorption of colostrum is in the first 12 hours. The best time for a veterinary surgeon to check the mare & foal are healthy is between 12 & 18 hours after foaling.
MECONIUM (FIRST FAECES)
The first faeces, the meconium, are usually seen within 6 hours of foaling. Impaction of the meconium is the most common cause of colic in new-born, particularly colt, foals. The first urination is usually observed around 8 hours after foaling. It is important to try to observe & record the normal bodily functions & behaviour of the foal, as this will help the vet with the diagnosis of a problem, if one arises.

VET CHECK OF MARE & FOAL
As long as there are no complications associated with the foaling, the ideal time for the vet to check the foal is between 12 & 18 hours of age. There will be a full clinical examination of both mare & foal. Advice will be given on any congenital problems, such as limb deviations & navel hernias.

It is possible for the vet to check that the foal has obtained enough Colostrum to protect it from infection by collecting a blood sample & measuring the IgG level. This is usually performed at the initial foal check.

To assist in prevention of Tetanus, foals are given a Tetanus anti toxin at the initial foal check.

Examination of the placenta is important to check firstly that it is complete & also to look for abnormalities that may indicate problems with either the mare or foal.

FUTURE MARE MANAGEMENT

After foaling it is important to observe the mare for signs of a problem. Signs may include mild colic, off colour, off food & a temperature.

If your mare is to be covered again this season, the first heat after foaling is important. This is the time that the reproductive tract can be re-checked for post-foaling trauma & a uterine swab can be taken to ensure she is free from bacterial & fungal infections after foaling.