19/03/2023
*** it’s that time of the year again**
Preparation for a Normal Foaling
Foaling is a very exciting time which is more than just anxiously watching the start of a new life. It is the fruit of months or even years of planning and anticipation. The anxiety reaches its peak as soon as the mare goes into labor and a tiny hoof makes its appearance, followed by another, then the nose, the neck, shoulders, and finally in a rush, the rest of the body.
While most of the foalings are straightforward and uncomplicated (normal foaling rates of as high as 95% or even higher have been reported!!!); unfortunately, it still can go wrong, and a potentially extraordinary experience turns into an absolute nightmare. Even when a foal survives the explosive event of foaling, up to 10-11% of all mortality rate in neonatal stages may be due to trauma, or complications that occur at birth.
It is important to note once advance signs of labor begin and the mare’s water breaks, often the foal would be on the ground in 30 minutes–45 minutes. Of course it might sound like not a long time to some, but the actual window of opportunity to recognize potential problems is only a small fraction of this time frame!!! The potential problem is by the time horse owner or caretaker realizes something has gone wrong, there can often be a delay in the arrival of or access to professional help and little time left to correct the problem before potentially more serious or irreversible damage might be done to both mare and foal.
Therefore, in preparation for foaling, it is paramount for the mare owner or caretaker to have a reasonable understanding of foaling.
Understanding the Fundamentals of a NORMAL foaling:
Weeks before getting close to foaling (~4 weeks), the foal’s primary organs are all fully developed and rapidly maturing. The foal is floating in the amniotic sac within the placenta and is getting nutrition and oxygen via the umbilical cord, which continue to be the foal’s lifeline until the foal has been delivered.
At about a week prior to birth, the foal has grown to the point where it has little room to move within the uterus. A transabdominal ultrasound exam of pregnant mares at this point shows a foal that is upside down often with the front end of the foal positioned closer to the mare's pelvis. During the final hours prior to delivery (the stage one of foaling), the foal will rotate until it is in the correct position for delivery with front feet and nose moving up into the birth canal in a sort of diving position.
As the mare gets closer to foaling, she will go through two basic stages of labor. During the “first stage” (earlier stage that is often hours prior to delivery of the foal) she often is restless and agitated; may paw at her bedding and lie down and get up frequently. These are good signals for the owner or attendant to be on the alert as the second stage of labour can follow at any time. Unfortunately, the exact time frame between the start of these behavioural changes of restlessness and agitation varies substantially between different mares (breed, age, previous foalings, …) and has not been determined. However, if there is a long period of time between the onset of discomfort and the breaking of the water to signal the start of the second stage, recording it could help you recognize potential trouble.
When all goes well the mare’s distress and level of discomfort will increase as contractions increase in frequency and severity, and soon will be the start of serious labor with the breaking of water (second stage of foaling). Normally, most of the mares will lie on their side to facilitate the foal’s passage through the birth canal.
To better understand the relationship between the foal and its fetal membranes better, it may help imagine the foal wrapped in double bags. At this point the “outer sac” of the double bags containing the foal, is the actual placenta and should be still attached to the inner surface of the mare’s uterus and filled with its own fluid. The second layer (inner bag!) which is called the amniotic sac, is the one that is the translucent membrane we often see as the first membranes protruding at the time of foaling and contains the foal is also filled with fluid. When the foal enters the birth canal, it is still contained in this inner sac (Amniotic sac) and pushes its way through the outer sac at the cervix into the birth canal when the mare’s “water breaks” and the fluid between the placenta and the amniotic sac (outer layer of bags!!!) gushes out, lubricating the va**na. Shortly thereafter, with continuous contractions of the mare a translucent white “bubble” filled with fluid appears at the v***a. This sac, which surrounds the foal while it is still being delivered, will break on its own as well. Even if it doesn’t, there normally is little danger to the foal, because at this point the foal is still dependent on the umbilical cord for oxygen until it is delivered, and its chest can expand to breathe on its own.
preparations for foaling during last few weeks
It is prudent to communicate the expected due date with the attendants at the foaling barn and your veterinarian, and if a Caslick’s procedure has been done on the mare (stitching the v***a nearly closed to prevent contamination of the reproductive tract). A Caslick’s should be opened ~14 days prior to the anticipated due date. Tt is also the time to prepare the foaling stall if you foal your mare at home, and put together the items needed for a basic foaling kit.
A Normal Delivery in a Glance:
Here is a brief sequence of events that can determine whether you are facing a normal foaling once the mare is down, in labor and the water bag is bulging or broken:
first one foot,
then the other should make an appearance,
followed by the nose and head.
What to watch for!
During this stage of labour, once the first foot makes its appearance the attendant may carefully reach into the birth canal to determine whether the foal is in proper presentation (check the presence of a second foot and nose!!!). This information helps to make certain all is going well and normal. In a large size horse, usually the second leg should be easily detected ~15-20 cm inside the birth canal behind the first foot, and the nose often about the same distance behind the second foot. confirming this normal presentation gives peace of mind that one limb being slightly forward of the other allows only one shoulder passing through the birth canal at a time.
*** If that is the case, you may step back to watch and monitor the birth of your foal.
However, if you notice even one of the legs or the head is out of position, it is a clear indication that FOALING IS GOING WRONG and there is a problem. Do not delay asking for professional help!!!
