The birth of a foal is nothing short of a miracle — but it’s one that requires expert care and attention at every step. At Lingfield Equine Vets, we’re proud to support mare owners through the full process of breeding, foaling, and early foal care, ensuring a healthy and safe experience for both mare and foal.

Pregnancy Monitoring: Laying the Foundation for a Healthy Foaling

Once your mare is in foal, regular monitoring is crucial to ensure her health and the proper development of the foal. At Lingfield Equine Vets, we provide comprehensive care throughout the pregnancy, from early ultrasounds to the final stages of gestation. Key aspects of pregnancy monitoring include:

Vaccinations and Disease Prevention

Vaccinations are vital for protecting both the mare and foal from potentially fatal diseases. We will ensure your mare is up to date with the following key vaccinations:

• Equine Influenza and Tetanus: These are core vaccines that protect the mare from serious infectious diseases.
• EHV (Equine Herpes Virus): This can be especially important during late pregnancy to protect against the risk of abortion.

We will also advise you on the timing of vaccinations, with certain vaccines needing to be administered closer to the time of foaling to ensure the foal gets the best start.

Worming treatments and dental care to ensure she is in top condition for pregnancy.

Nutrition and Weight Monitoring

Proper nutrition is vital for the mare’s well-being and for the healthy development of the foal. We’ll help guide you on:

• Diet adjustments: Ensuring the mare receives sufficient energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• Body condition: Monitoring her weight to prevent excessive weight gain or loss, both of which can affect her health and the foal’s development.

Foaling: The Big Day

The foaling process can be a smooth, natural event, but complications can arise that require immediate veterinary attention. It’s crucial to be prepared and know the signs of a normal foaling as well as the signs of complications.

What Happens During Normal Foaling?

When the mare is ready to foal, she’ll usually exhibit signs like restlessness, nesting behaviour, and waxing from her teats. The foal’s birth is divided into three stages:

1. Stage 1 – The mare enters early labour. This can last several hours, and she may display discomfort, sweating, and pawing.
2. Stage 2 – The foal is delivered. This is the most critical stage, lasting up to 20 minutes. Once the foal is delivered, the mare will start cleaning and bonding with her newborn.
3. Stage 3 – The placenta is expelled. This should occur within a few hours after delivery. Any delay in this stage can indicate a problem.

Signs of Foaling Complications

While many mares foal without issues, some complications can arise that require urgent attention:

• Failure to progress — If the mare is struggling to deliver the foal or if more than 20 minutes passes without the foal being born, this is an emergency.
• Abnormal presentations — If the foal is positioned incorrectly, such as coming out tail-first or upside down, the mare needs urgent veterinary assistance.
• Retained placenta — If the placenta has not been expelled within a few hours, this can cause serious health risks for the mare, such as infection.

After the Birth: Checking the Newborn Foal

Once the foal is born, the first few hours are crucial for its survival and development. Veterinary care in the postnatal period ensures both the mare and foal are doing well.

Newborn Foal Checks

We perform essential checks on the foal to make sure it’s thriving:

• Breathing and circulation — It’s essential that the foal starts breathing properly and clears any fluid from its airways.
• Nursing — The foal should attempt to nurse from the mare within a couple of hours to receive vital colostrum, which provides essential antibodies to protect against infections.
• Bonding — The bond between the mare and foal is vital for emotional well-being. Ensuring both are calm and interacting naturally is key to a successful start.

Mare’s Postnatal Care

While the foal is the focus, the mare needs care too. We check for:

• Proper recovery from the birth, ensuring she is not showing signs of pain or infection
• Uterine health, including checking for retained placental tissue
• Milk production, ensuring she is producing enough colostrum for her foal

How Lingfield Equine Vets Support Your Foaling Journey

At Lingfield Equine Vets, we are here to provide expert foaling assistance. Our team of experienced vets can guide you through the entire foaling. We’ll be with you every step of the way, helping to ensure the health of both the mare and the foal.