pictures of a mares udder before foaling – Irish Sport Horse Magazine

Foaling Your Mare is an exciting time, and it can mean a lot of sleepless nights. But what are the signs to look out for and when should you worry that things are not going according to plan? With most mares foaling is generally uncomplicated. However for the small % that do need assistance every effort should be made to be present during foaling. In most cases, you will simply need to be a discreet observer as most mares seem to prefer to foal in privacy. Mares have some control over when they foal and tend not to start until they feel safe. Foaling Your Mare - Picture from Pixabay Observing The Mare. According to statistics; 90% of mares foal at night, usually between 10pm and 6am. So it is important to be able to watch them during the night. You really cannot beat actually being able to observe them first hand. In very large studs a night foaling person makes sense but in smaller studs it often falls on senior staff to take a rota. 90% of Mares Foal at night between 10pm and 6am - Picture from Pixabay If you are foaling at home then that is likely to be you. Sleep deprivation can be a terrible thing!! Technology has advanced allot and its unusual to have to put a camp bed in the tack room these days. CCTV can be used to observe the mare with little disturbance and from the comfort of your home. The use of a foaling alarm system can give you more sleep but can give false alarms or not go off at all! These can be of various designs some track the position of the mare, or may measure temperature and sweat, but as some mares don't sweat much and some even foal standing, they may not be activated. Sensors stitched into the vulva that send an alert to your phone are also available. These rely on a good signal and can in some instances fail to notify you; they can also become detached from the vulva. So although helpful foaling alarms are not fool proof, Test strips that measure calcium in mammary secretions are available commercially. These strips aid the owner in predicting when the mare will foal because sudden increases in calcium are associated with imminent foaling. Then you know that you will have to do the night shift. Where to Foal Valuable breeding stocks are closely monitored during foaling and tend to foal indoors. Although some people prefer to foal outside the time of year and weather conditions will influence the decision regarding where to foal. Valuable Breeding Stock Tend to be Closely Monitored and usually stabled at night. Picture from Pixabay The Stable A foaling box needs to be bigger than a standard stable. A stable that is a minimum of 14' x 14'; Preferably 15’ x 15’ for a 16hh mare. Doors should be slightly wider than a standard door; preferably 4’ wide. The stable should have no sharp or protruding objects. Fixtures and fitting should be kept to a minimum. No feed or water buckets on the floor, a mare that foals with no warning could foal into these and the foal can drown or become stuck. Hay can be fed from the ground or from a hay rack positioned high up on the wall with a rounded lower edge. Don’t use a net. The stable should be draft free and needs to be easily cleaned and disinfected. Remove manure and soiled bedding promptly and disinfect the stable thoroughly between foaling's. The stable should be well bedded, straw is preferable to shavings, as it won't cling to the wet newborn the way small wood particles can. A good light source should be available for emergencies, and a more subdued light for general observation. Heat lamps can be useful to have if you are foaling early or have a weak foal. Foaling Equipment Should be Prepared in Advance Consisting of: Clean towels; rubbing down newly born foals and general use.Water and a non scented soap; for washing hands.String; once the mare has foaled the afterbirth should be tied up.Iodine/antiseptic spray; for use on the naval to help prevent infection.Enemas; aid the passage of the meconium in the foal.Cotton wool; for general use.Obstetric lubricant; to be used if aiding a difficult foaling.Head collar; for the mare.Tail bandage (single use); for use on the mare.Feeding bottle and mare’s milk replacer.Frozen colostrum can also be used.Rug for the mare; especially if foaling early the mare is fully coated and could be in a cold sweat.Foal rug; or an old polo neck jumper. Observing the Mare Pre-Foaling So what are the signs of foaling and how do you know when your mare will foal? The first thing is to know the date the mare was covered most mares foal around 340 days after covering. Mares are individual and some will always go over this date, if your mare goes over by more than 10 days it is worth getting the vet to check her to make sure everything is normal, I have heard of mares gong as many as 7 weeks late. An early foal would also be a worry, less than 300 days foals have very little chance of survival. From 300 to 325 days a foal is classed as premature and will need special attention if it is to survive, but any foal carried over 325 days will be full term. It always amazes me that with such a long gestation there is such a small window for a viable foal. Notice Changes in Your Mare's Behaviour as she approaches her due date. Picture from Pixabay You need to be watching out for signs from about 30 days prior to the due date, about 1 month before foaling the mare will start to bag up. Initially you will see this in the morning after being stabled at night, this will reduce as the mare exercises during turn out. During the last week the udder will remain hard and full. Having said this some mares will bag up 2 to 3 days prior to foaling and give little warning. On the other hand some mares will run milk for several days prior to foaling. They all have their own pattern. During the last few weeks the mare may become sluggish due to the weight of the foal, she could start to become restless and solitary or even a bit grumpy. Her legs may fill as the mare will not always exercise and in hand walking may be called for. Also if the mare’s vulva was stitched make sure to get the vet to open the vulva before she is due to foal. Wax on the Teats can be the Final Clue that your Mare is Near Foaling - Picture Courtesy of Elevage De Garros The final clue is the appearance of a wax like substance on the end of the teat. From now on the mare should be closely watched. Again all mares have their own pattern, some wax a few hours before and some days, but it is a clear sign things are moving forward. Combined with this the muscles around the pelvis and tail become slack and relaxed, the tail will look sunken and the vulva elongated. Plus the mare may start to drink excessive amounts of water and may not eat up all her food. Stages of Foaling Stage 1 of Foaling As foaling begins, and the mare enters the first stage of foaling, she will show signs of restlessness (may show colic like signs), looking round at flanks, getting up and down her heart and respiratory rate will increase and she may begin to sweat. Stage 1 of Foaling - The Mare will be restless and may exhibit Colic like symptoms Picture from Pixabay Apply a tail bandage at this point so that from now on you can easily observe without disturbing the mare. This stage lasts about 2 hours, however it is very variable. If these signs become constant and more exaggerated and yet nothing appears to be happening then it may be wise to call in the vet. The restlessness is caused by the onset of contractions and generally lasts one to two hours. Even in a normal delivery, the mare may stand up, lie down and roll several times in an effort to properly position the foal for delivery. During this phase, contractions move the foal through the cervix and into position in the birth canal. The foetal membranes (allantois) may become visible at the mare's vulva. Stage 2 of Foaling When the sac breaks, signalled by a rush of fluid, stage one ends. The rupture of the allantoic membrane and rush of placental fluids may be confused with urination. At this point the mare enters the second stage of foaling. She continues to get contractions, and will likely get up and down and start to strain at this point. Stage 2 of Foaling - The Foals Feet Emerge - Picture Courtesy of Elevage De Garros Within 5 minutes of the waters breaking the foal's hoof, covered in a whitish membrane, will appear. The foal will appear with one forefoot first, with the other forefoot just behind, followed by the nose. As the foal is expelled the white membrane will burst and uncover the foal. This bluish, white/opaque bag is the amniotic membrane. From the 'waters' breaking to the foal being on the ground the time should not take more than 30 minutes This actual expulsion of the foal moves relatively quickly. If it takes more than 30 minutes for the mare to deliver, there is most likely a problem. Normal presentation of the foal resembles a diving position, with front feet first, one slightly ahead of the other, with the soles of the hooves facing toward the mares hocks, followed closely by the nose, head, neck, shoulders and hindquarters. If you notice hoof soles up, the foal may be backwards or upside down, and you should call your veterinarian immediately. Stage 3 of Foaling At this point the mare enters the stage three. Once the foal is out the mare will lie down for up to 20 minutes - do not disturb the mare at this point. However, there are a couple of things that are important to ensure. These are that the foal is breathing and its nose is clear of the white membrane also that the foal has lifted its head and moved off it’s side onto its sternum. Generally it is not recommended to cut or break the umbilical cord. If it has not broken during delivery, it will usually break when the mare or foal gets up. Stage 3 of Foaling - Once the Foal is Born The Mare will rest for a while - Picture Courtesy of Elevage De Garros The cord should break at a site approximately one inch from the foal's abdomen, where the cord's diameter is slightly narrower than the remainder of the cord. Treat the umbilical cord with an antiseptic solution soon after the cord breaks and for several days thereafter to prevent bacterial infection. Expulsion of the placenta - in the majority of mares this will occur within 30 minutes of foaling (no longer than 3 hours). The placenta should be tied up with string to prevent the mare standing on it and tearing it. The weight will help encourage it to gently pass. Once passed the placenta should be checked to ensure it is complete (place in a sealed plastic bag and store in a cold room and ask your vet to examine it to ensure it is complete and healthy). Post Foaling Following the birth of the foal, the mare and foal should be monitored. Mare should be bright and alert. Allow her to eat as soon as she is ready and supply plenty of clean, fresh water. The mare should be comfortable; some mares can show colic like signs after foaling. You may wish to check the mare's temperature and other vital signs periodically within the first 24 hours to make sure they are normal. An elevated temperature may indicate infection. The mare should be non-aggressive, curious and accepting of her newborn. Occasionally a mare will reject her foal. In such a case, the foal should be removed and reintroduced with the mare under restraint. Foal rejection is more common in maiden mares. Initially check that the foal is bright and alert to its new surroundings and breathing normally. New born foals breath about 60 to 80 breaths/minute and this drops to around 30 in an older foal. The heart rate at birth is about 80 and soon rises to around 100 beats/ minute. Quite quickly the foal should make attempts to stand, usually within 30 minutes following its birth. Allow the foal to find its feet and only help to balance it in its attempts if it is getting tired. Most foals are up and exploring the environment within 1 hour. The First Milk Known as Colostrum is Extremely Important for the Foal's Immunity. Once on its feet it will start to make its way to the mare and look for the teat. Foals have a reflex called the "suck reflex" they will suck you fingers if you allow them but don't. This reflex is why the foal latches onto the teat and sucks. Foals should stand and nurse within two hours of birth. If the foal has not nursed within 3 hours, call your veterinarian. If a foal is too weak to nurse, it may be necessary to milk the mare and give the colostrum to the foal via a stomach tube. The foal can be blood tested eight hours after its first drink and if it is deficient it can be supplemented. If you wait until the foal is 24 hours old to do this and absorption proves to be inadequate, your only option will be a plasma transfusion from the mare. As well as immunity the colostrum has a laxative effect on the foal. The first droppings the foal passes are call the meconium. It is quite dark in colour and sticky. Straining to pass a retained meconium can cause the foal to rupture its bladder so It is routine to administer an enema to the foal to aid passing the meconium within 12 hours of birth. Colts tend to be more prone to meconium retention than fillies but generally pass urine quicker at around 6 hours old, whereas fillies may take around 11 hours. Your foal will quickly become quite strong over the first few days but they are vulnerable to infections that would not affect an older horse so. There system can become overwhelmed very quickly. Monitor them carefully, after all you have waited the best part of a year to meet them.Many Thanks to FB - Elevage De Garros / FB - Gascony Connemaras for Sharing Some Fantastic Foaling Pictures with us. This Article was originally published in the March 2020 Issue of Irish Sport Horse Magazine. If you liked this Article by Jessica Soley BHSI, check out her piece on Preparing Your Mare for Breeding Here>>