The birth of the mares.

After 11 months of gestation, the most anticipated moment for owners arrives: the foaling of the mares.

About 4 or 5 weeks before the expected date of foaling, the mare should be taken to the meadow. They benefit from foaling outdoors in a meadow where the birth of the new equine limb will take place so that the mare can get used to it, thus avoiding an increase in stress, and she will make that space her own, so that she will feel calm when everything happens.

It will also improve the mare's immunity to pathogens present in the environment. Antibodies will be added to the colostrum for passive immunity in the newborn.

She should give birth in a paddock where she can be discreetly observed and help can be easily provided if problems arise.

It's best to be in the paddock with the same horses you'll be with after foaling . This allows the social hierarchy to be established before a vulnerable foal enters the group. Ideally, paddock companions will be mares rather than geldings, and young animals other than foals.

Mares may display a variety of behaviors in the weeks leading up to foaling. Mild, intermittent discomfort during the day or night is normal in some mares and often coincides with the foal's activity. During this time, if you closely observe the mare's flank area, you will often see the foal moving.

Mares are quite variable in their signs of readiness for foaling , depending on whether they are older broodmares that have had several foals or first-time mares.

Premonitory signs based primarily on morphological changes can be quite subtle in some mares, difficult to discern, and inaccurate. They indicate that the mare is preparing, but they do not predict the time of delivery to a specific day, especially considering that the mare's gestation period is one of the most variable periods.

The best person to observe a mare is someone who knows her and how she behaves daily in the pasture. In addition to physical changes, you may notice subtle behavioral changes , such as when she acts a little different, more alert, or worried. Mares have a typical routine during the day. If a mare starts behaving a little differently than her normal routine, it's a sign that something is changing.

The classic physical change is mammary development or a significant increase in udder size. During the last month, the udder usually enlarges. The mare's udder may fill at night while resting and shrink during the day while exercising. When the udder remains full throughout the day, foaling is likely imminent.

As the udder grows, the upper part of the teat is stretched so far that it is difficult to distinguish it from the rest of the udder. The lower part of the teat remains small, but as parturition approaches, the teat enlarges and is bulged outward by the increasing pressure from within the udder. Colostrum may drip from the teats and dry to form a waxy material at each teat orifice. It may appear 12 to 48 hours before parturition or a week or two before parturition. It does not occur in some mares, so it is not a completely reliable method for predicting parturition.

Another sign of approaching labor is the relaxation of the pelvic muscles.

Relaxation of this region usually occurs about 3 weeks before foaling. These changes allow the fetus to pass through the birth canal more easily. This process is gradual and may not be seen in all mares, but in most, a distinctive change in appearance can be seen. A hollow develops on both sides of the root of the tail as the muscles of the hip and breech area begin to relax. This area can be examined daily when the mare is checked.

The abdomen becomes increasingly pendulous as it enlarges, and about a week before foaling, it may appear to shrink as the foal shifts position in preparation for delivery. At first, it is very large and round, but the closer it is to the foal, the lower its belly becomes. Some mares even develop some edema (fluid retention) in their bellies.

Within the last 24 to 48 hours before foaling, the mare's vulva may be observed to swell and relax in preparation for stretching to several times its normal size to allow passage of the foal.

In most cases, mares seem to prefer to foal in privacy, at night or just before dawn, as this is when the herd is resting and the mare doesn't have to risk the group moving without her. They apparently have some control over their foaling. Being able to discreetly observe from a distance is the best way to help her and make her feel comfortable during foaling.

Parturition, or the process of giving birth, is divided into three distinct stages. Most mares deliver without difficulty or problems throughout the various stages of labor, but the ability to recognize each stage and follow the normal chain of events that occur during each phase allows the mare's caregiver to assess whether assistance is needed. If we have any concerns at any stage of labor, it is always best to call a veterinarian as soon as possible.

In the first stage, the foal is positioned. The mare may become irritable, restless, and generally wants to be left alone, withdrawing from the rest of the herd. She may pace continuously in the paddock, swishing her tail, looking to her sides, or kicking her abdomen. As foaling approaches, she often begins to sweat. The mare's neck and flanks may feel warm and clammy, or there may be generalized sweating all over her body.

During this period, uterine contractions move the foal into the birthing position . Instead of lying on its back with its legs bent, as it has for most of the pregnancy, the fetus turns onto its belly with its front legs and head extended toward the mare's vagina.

As contractions become stronger and the foal begins to move toward the birth canal, the mare's membranes will rupture and release a large amount of fluid (breaking water) that helps lubricate the birth canal. This marks the end of the first stage. It is the most variable stage and can last for hours in some mares.

In the second stage, the actual delivery of the foal occurs. The mare's contractions become very powerful at this point. She may lie down, stand, or walk at any time, even after the foal's legs are visible outside the vulva.

In a normal presentation, the foal's front legs are extended with one hoof slightly in front of the other, with the head stretched out along the front legs. As the legs become visible, the mare pushes the foal's shoulders through the cervix, after which she usually takes a short break before delivering the rest of the foal's body.

During this time, the foal is still receiving some oxygen through the umbilical cord. The foal's hind legs may remain inside the mare for a few minutes while the mare takes another rest.

When the mare stands up or the foal struggles to stand, the umbilical cord usually breaks, marking the end of this second stage. This stage can be rapid for some mares, while others take up to half an hour to complete labor.

In the third stage, the placenta is expelled. The expulsion of these membranes, which surround the foal during gestation, usually occurs a few hours after birth. It is important not to pull on the placenta but to allow it to separate from the uterine wall on its own. Typically, the mare will stand with the placenta partially expelled while the foal struggles to stand and nurse. Nursing the foal helps stimulate uterine contractions, aiding in the release of the placenta.

It's a good idea to examine the placenta once it's delivered to ensure it's complete , as any retained placental tissue is likely to cause uterine infection. The placenta will be Y-shaped and should only have the opening where the foal came out.

Sometimes brown bodies of similar consistency can be found.

putty when examining the placenta; they can also sometimes be expelled when the mare's water breaks. These are harmless remains and are thought to originate from minerals and proteins during pregnancy.

Some mares rise immediately after the foal is born, while others remain recumbent for a period of time. After foaling, mares may experience mild to moderate colic as the uterus and reproductive tract contract and heal.

During the first week postpartum, there may be a reddish-brown discharge. This discharge is normal. However, if a white discharge develops, this indicates a uterine infection, and a veterinarian should be consulted for treatment.

Allow the mare and foal to rest as much as possible . We value the importance of the undisturbed bond between mare and foal; the mare will lick and nuzzle the foal. The foal should attempt to stand and nurse, and should be able to do both within 4 hours of birth, usually within 1 to 2 hours.

The “1-2-3 rule” is often used: a healthy foal should be standing within 1 hour, nursing within 2 hours, and defecating meconium within 3 hours.

If both the mare and foal are healthy and fit, they can continue to live in the pasture without problems. Exercise is beneficial for helping the mare's uterus recover after foaling and for helping the foal strengthen and straighten its legs. Bonding in the early days is critical for the foal's survival because this is when mortality is highest.

Nature has provided an efficient system for the mare to give birth and care for her foals. Let's be prepared and informed caregivers so we can enjoy the miracle of birth, and help the new mother and foal get off to a great start.