Health Care for Your Pregnant Mare and New Foal
Feeding the Pregnant Mare
During the last three months of gestation, the foal is growing rapidly, and this is the time to consider increasing the mare's feed by 25%. Research has shown that the mare's diet in late gestation has tremendous impact on the normal development of the inutero foal. Feeds with a special balance of minerals are available to be fed on a daily basis to provide all the minerals the developing fetus needs.
Signs that Foaling is Near
The average length of gestation is 335-350 days, and is influenced by the sex of the foal, month of conception and individual traits of the mare. Mares tend to prefer privacy during foaling, and most will foal at night.
Signs of approaching parturition:
1. Development of mammary glands begins 2-6 weeks prior to foaling.
2. Approximately 7-10 days prior to foaling, the muscles in the croup (around the tail head) appear to shrink and the pelvic ligaments relax.
3. A waxy secretion oozes out of the nipples and begins to build up 24 hours to 4 days before foaling. Within 24 hours the wax may drop off and the mare may drip milk.
4. Finally, the mare may begin to sweat and show signs of mild colic, i.e. getting up and lying down, stretching, swishing her tail, and looking at her flank.
At Time of Foaling
The birthing process begins when the placenta ruptures and a small amount of urine-like fluid passes from the vulva ("breaking water"). Normal foalings average 15-20 minutes, but can last up to 45 minutes. The mare should be allowed to lie undisturbed for 30 minutes after the foal is born.
The foal should stand up and nurse shortly after birth. It is important that the foal nurses within 4-6 hours of life to allow for adequate absorption of antibodies from the mare's colostrum into the foal's bloodstream. Disinfect the navel with a dilute chlorhexidine (Nolvasan) solution (a dilution of 1 part Nolvasan to 4 parts water is recommended) and administer an enema to aid passage of the meconium.
The mare should pass the placenta shortly after foaling. (If she has not passed it within 3 hours please call our office for further instructions.) Once the mare passes the placenta, collect it in a plastic bag and place it in a cool place so that a vet can examine it later. Then, call our office to schedule an appointment to check the overall health of the foal and mare and to test for adequate colostral antibody absorption into the foal's bloodstream. This exam should be done when the foal is between 12 and 24 hours old.
During the last three months of gestation, the foal is growing rapidly, and this is the time to consider increasing the mare's feed by 25%. Research has shown that the mare's diet in late gestation has tremendous impact on the normal development of the inutero foal. Feeds with a special balance of minerals are available to be fed on a daily basis to provide all the minerals the developing fetus needs.
Signs that Foaling is Near
The average length of gestation is 335-350 days, and is influenced by the sex of the foal, month of conception and individual traits of the mare. Mares tend to prefer privacy during foaling, and most will foal at night.
Signs of approaching parturition:
1. Development of mammary glands begins 2-6 weeks prior to foaling.
2. Approximately 7-10 days prior to foaling, the muscles in the croup (around the tail head) appear to shrink and the pelvic ligaments relax.
3. A waxy secretion oozes out of the nipples and begins to build up 24 hours to 4 days before foaling. Within 24 hours the wax may drop off and the mare may drip milk.
4. Finally, the mare may begin to sweat and show signs of mild colic, i.e. getting up and lying down, stretching, swishing her tail, and looking at her flank.
At Time of Foaling
The birthing process begins when the placenta ruptures and a small amount of urine-like fluid passes from the vulva ("breaking water"). Normal foalings average 15-20 minutes, but can last up to 45 minutes. The mare should be allowed to lie undisturbed for 30 minutes after the foal is born.
The foal should stand up and nurse shortly after birth. It is important that the foal nurses within 4-6 hours of life to allow for adequate absorption of antibodies from the mare's colostrum into the foal's bloodstream. Disinfect the navel with a dilute chlorhexidine (Nolvasan) solution (a dilution of 1 part Nolvasan to 4 parts water is recommended) and administer an enema to aid passage of the meconium.
The mare should pass the placenta shortly after foaling. (If she has not passed it within 3 hours please call our office for further instructions.) Once the mare passes the placenta, collect it in a plastic bag and place it in a cool place so that a vet can examine it later. Then, call our office to schedule an appointment to check the overall health of the foal and mare and to test for adequate colostral antibody absorption into the foal's bloodstream. This exam should be done when the foal is between 12 and 24 hours old.
