Foaling Do's and Don'ts

DO

Learn the normal steps of foaling

Watch your mare quietly, in as little light as possible –you need to see what is going on, but not so bright as to disrupt your mare

Have your veterinarian’s phone number on hand –alerting your vet to a change in your mare’s behavior during the day is a nice consideration

Provide a safe foaling environment- a roomy (16 x 20) well-ventilated stall with straw bedding is excellent, or a nice safely fenced grass paddock

Have a plan in case of emergency –If a problem arises, you can act quickly and efficiently.

Keep track of time –a normal delivery should be complete in less than 20 minutes…some will be up to 30 minutes, beyond that, the mare and foal may be in jeopardy and your vet will need to know when foaling began and how much time has elapsed.

Have some essentials for when the foal arrives –a basic foaling kit should be easy to grab and have what you need to attend to the foal

Stay calm as foaling begins –a clear, calm attendant is far more useful to the mare than someone jumping up and down

Watch your mare closely for indications that she is not comfortable with you touching the foal or being in the stall. – Even the most kind and gentle mare can become VERY dangerous at foaling

Dip the navel as soon as you can safely do so –dipping the navel frequently (15-30 minutes) helps to disinfect and dry out the umbilical stump to prevent infection.

DON’T

Pace back and forth in front of your mare’s pen/stall or walk in and out frequently –this attention is likely to suppress normal mare behavior

Have a pizza party with tons of friends parading in and out of the barn –too much commotion in the area can upset your mare

Worry about disturbing your vet, if you suspect a problem –it is better to be safe than sorry

Bed with shavings –the small particles can get into the foals respiratory tract and create problems…also shavings tend to be more dusty than straw or grass

Grab the foal and start pulling as soon as you see a hoof–grabbing and pulling on a foal can cause damage to both the mare and the foal

Tear the amniotic sac as soon as it appears – the sac is protecting the foal at this time…once the nose appears, then you can rupture the sac for the foal to breathe

Cut the umbilical cord –When the foal is born, blood is still being transferred through that cord. WHEN IT IS READY, it will break on its own.

Force the mare or foal to rise (unless there is an emergency) –the mare and foal need a few moments to rest. HOWEVER If the mare begins to roll or thrash and endangers herself or the foal, it may be necessary to get her up or move the foal to safety.

Pull the placenta out –pulling the placenta can cause parts of it to tear and remain in the mare or parts of the uterus can be damaged.

Essentials to have on hand for a basic foaling kit

	Halter and leadrope
	Phone (cordless or cell phone)
	Paper & Pencil –good to write down times of significant events….time of birth, foal standing, foal nursing…and any other notes you want to share with the veterinarian
	Watch (stop watches are good, $10 or so at Wal-Mart –begin timing as soon as you note the water breaking (if possible) otherwise as soon as you can…
	Several hand towels –to assist drying the foal (IF the mare permits)
	Large kitchen trash bag –to contain the placenta once expelled
	Flashlight –easier to see wax and other details
	Tail wrap –help keep the mare’s tail out of the way during labor
	Bucket –2
	Navel dip –a dilute Nolvasan (chlorhexidine) solution is the best and safest. 1part Nolvasan : 4 parts clean water (sterile water is not necessary)
	Small dixie cups -excellent for dipping navels
	Baling twine or brown gauze –to tie up the placenta until it passes completely on its own
	Mild soap – Dawn, Betadine Scrub or Nolvasan Scrub to wash the mare’s bag and perineum prior to foaling
	Bandage scissors – should you need to cut a thickened amniotic sac, the placenta in case of a red bag delivery or baling twine
	Thermometer – to check the temp of the mare or foal if you suspect a problem
	Stethoscope –to check the vital signs of the mare or foal after delivery
	Fleet enema –if the foal is straining to pass the meconium
	Sterile Sleeves-to check the position of the foal