Newborn foals begin to arrive in this part of Alberta around mid-April, about the same time the prairie crocuses bloom on the pine forest floor. Not only are both a miracle, but both are meant to unfold in an orchestrated time and manner.
Good nutritional support and appropriate exercise are fundamental to a healthy pregnant mare, foal and foaling.
The roots of unexpected and often undesirable outcomes can often be traced back to the two pillars of nutrition and exercise.
The physical foundation for the unborn foal, its vigour and early growth are the results of excellent nutrition in the pregnant mare.
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The delivery of that healthy package requires a healthy uterus. The uterus is a muscle and like other muscles, it strengthens with exercise.
Horse pregnancies are usually 330 to 345 days, but can range from 310 to 387 days.
Most mares repeat their gestation schedule, but tend to foal five days earlier with their first foal, five to 10 days later as they get older than 12 years, and extend five to 10 days longer for the birth of colts.
Mares should be at the intended foaling location at least one month before their anticipated foaling date. This allows the mare to familiarize itself with its new environment and companions.
Its immune system produces colostrum specific to that environment. Foaling in a safe, clean, well-drained pasture, preferably with green grass, is the best choice.
Signs of approaching foaling vary. They may or may not include a pronounced distended abdomen three to four weeks before foaling, a distended udder two to four weeks before foaling, and a relaxation or softening of the buttocks, tail head, and vulvar region two to four weeks before foaling.
Teats may “wax” or weep a clear, watery secretion 24 to 48 hours before foaling.
But while helpful, none of these signs accurately predicts when the mare will foal.
A FoalWatch test kit can narrow this window of expectation by measuring the concentration of calcium in the mare’s colostrum, which rises sharply before birth. The test often predicts birth within 24 hours.
Testing a small amount of colostrum once or twice a day starting about two weeks before the mare’s expected foaling date considerably narrows the window of readiness.
Most mares foal between evening and dawn. This is likely an inherent protection mechanism in the wild. By morning, the foal has nursed and is easily following its dam.
Assistance at foaling is needed in only a small percentage of cases, but when needed, it may be necessary to save the mare and foal.
In the initial stages of foaling, the mare may seek isolation, stop eating and become restless. It may lie down and get up repeatedly. This is normal and is a part of the process that prepares proper positioning of the foal for delivery.
The initial uterine contractions may cause signs of mild discomfort, tail switching, sweating and frequent urination.
As the uterine contractions become stronger and more frequent, they force the white glistening fetal membranes forward, dilating the cervix. When the “water breaks,” fetal fluids are released.
Most mares then lie down and begin much stronger abdominal labour. Both of the foal’s feet should appear now, with heels and soles down, and with one foot leading by a hand’s breadth. This unlocks the shoulders and allows easier passage through the birth canal.
The nose of the foal follows close behind near the knees. From this point the foaling process is almost explosive.
Progress should happen quickly, with each abdominal effort from the mare moving the foal through the birth canal within 15 to 20 minutes.
Veterinarian assistance will be needed if there are variations in this normal presentation and duration.
Following delivery, a mare usually remains lying for up to 30 minutes. This allows the mare to rest and the foal to become familiar with its new environment. The attached umbilical cord transfers more blood from the placenta.
As the foal begins to move around, the umbilical cord will separate at a predetermined location, usually 15 to 20 centimetres from the umbilicus. The fetal membranes are normally passed within two hours of the foal’s delivery.
Foaling is a remarkable process that few owners will witness because it happens so quickly. Most arrive to find a healthy foal that is already dry, nursed and following beside the dam. Of course, this is the best surprise, for then all is truly well.
