The Stages of Foaling
Looking at the Birth of a Foal and the Horse's Three Labour Stages
Oct 12, 2009
August 1 through to December 31 marks the foaling season for the Thoroughbred industry in the Southern Hemisphere. Breeding isn’t legally allowed to start until September 1 and with the horse’s 345 day gestation, it’s anticipated that mares bred on this date will foal early August.
July sets the scene for breeders that have mares due early in the season. Those due the following month will be moved closer to foaling facilities, may be wormed and given shots to ascertain that vaccinations are up to date before foaling. Doing so helps to ensure that precious antibodies are available in the mare’s colostrum.
Each Mare is Checked for Signs of the First Stage of Labour
- an increase in the mare’s bag or udder as it fills with milk
- her belly taking on a more triangular shape as the foal drops into position for delivery
- the muscles around the mare’s tail becoming slack and the vulva lengthening
- the mare developing wax on her teats or running milk
- general signs of increasing restlessness
The Breaking of the Mare's Waters
This marks the second stage of labour and before this it is quite common that she will sweat up and be pacing. The release of oxytocin into her system which brings on contractions and let’s down milk can also cause milk to squirt out of her teats. At the second stage of labour it is worth assessing the position of the foal to check that it is correct.
The correct position for the foal should be two forelegs, one slightly in front of the other with the muzzle resting on top of these, a little further back. The hooves should be pointing down toward the mare’s feet. If they are pointing up toward her tail, the foal is upside down.
At this point it’s not a cause for concern as when the mare’s waters break the foal is often upside down in utero, being repositioned at times by the mare getting up and down frequently.
A straight forward foaling from the second stage of labour takes about half an hour. If things aren’t progressing or the foal doesn’t get repositioned so that the hooves are pointing downwards after thirty minutes, it may be worth getting onto your vet. Having a phone and the vet’s number available prior to foaling is a good precaution.
If the muzzle isn’t visible, check that the legs showing are indeed front legs by feeling past the fetlocks to ascertain that there are two knees rather than hocks. When feeling inside the mare, obstetrical gloves that go up to the shoulder should be used or if not available, consider disinfecting your hands and arms with iodine and water to minimise infection being passed to the mare.
All going well, the foal should come out feet first, followed by the muzzle, then the shoulders which are often the most difficult for the mare to push, the brisket, body and hind legs.
Passing of the Placenta
This is the third stage of labour, which should preferably occur within 6 hours from foaling.
The mare should be observed to see that she is responsive to her newborn and didn’t find the foaling too difficult, but focus quickly turns to the foal. All proceeding smoothly within a few hours of the mare’s waters breaking, you should have a healthy foal that has stood, nursed, passed meconium (its first manure) and bonded with its mother.
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