If the foal is positioned correctly, it is time to help the mare a bit. Pull with feeling and in step with the mare’s contractions in both legs, but so that they are shifted 10-15 cm in relation to each other, this is done to reduce the “width” of the shoulder of the foal (it is the largest part of the foal) . Pull gently the foal out, this must be done obliquely downward, ie diagonally relative to the mare, if she was standing. Pull untill only the hind legs are inside the mare, it goes easily as soon as the foal’s shoulders have come out, and then wait.
The foal should breathe normally by now, if necessary remov the sack around the muzzle, open if necessary, the mouth. Wait up to 5 minutes. As long as the foal’s hind leg is still in the mare she will normally lye still, which is a great advantage because the foal receives important substances (and oxygen) through the umbilical cord, while having the possibility of its own breathing to stabilize.
At this stage, the mare would start calling the foal with some deep, short throat sounds – very characteristic. It is at this point that the foal is “imprinted”, ie is related to the mother. Be careful not to speak a lot to the foal who may be confused, and possibly imprinted too much on human beings.
After a few minutes, the mare gets up, or the foal will attempt it, thereby getting completely out.
Let the umbilical cord burst by itself, it must happen in a calm haul, then it will close by itself. If the umbilical cord is ripped or cut over, the foal will bleed to death, if so, stop the bleeding with your fingers, and pull the remains of the umbilical cord / belly skin out to an end that can be tied up with a cotton thread – contact if necessary your vet. This will often happen if the mare foals standing up.
Has the foaling been hard for the mare (normally the case for first-timers), it may be a good idea to move the foal to front of the mare, and possibly help it to dry the foal. However, it is important that the mare lick the foal, since this ritual strengthen the mare’s instincts, gives a signal to the afterbirth going out, and is further linking mare and foal together. The mare will perhaps bite into the foal’s hooves, this is normal, and happens to get the foal to stand. But keep an eye on this behaviour, my own mare Saga used to exaggerate this to a point where the foal couldn’t sleep.
When the mare and foal has good contact, and everything seems to be okay, you should leave them alone for a while – for example one hour. Thereafter, the foal hopefully gets up by itself and drink, otherwise you have to help it. It is very important that the foal gets the so-called rawmilk/colostrum from the mare within a few hours (3 – 4), as the foal’s intestine later will “shut out” the important immune substances in the milk. The foal is born without immune systems.
Check out the afterbirth, it must come within 6 hours, and be whole – ie take the form of a pair of trousers where one leg is slightly longer than the other. Some mares have colic symptoms when the afterbirth is coming out. If the mare rolls / throws herself, move the foal out in a corner of the box. If necessary, walk with the mare, but, mark my words; the mare can react very strongly to separation from the foal! Is there a problem, contact your veterinarian, who can give contraction-aiding medicine. Some mares will eat some of the afterbirth, this is normal.
The foal should be vaccinated against foal disease and tetanus within 24 hours. Furthermore, one must – especially for colts – keep an eye on the intenstine wax, that is dark, tough feces, located in the bowels of the foal from birth. When the foal has not had any feces within the first 12 hours, call veterinarian, who will provide a remedy for constipation. The end of the umbilical cord should be lubricated plenty of ie Formo Cibazol, this protects against infection and prevents flies in to keep the wound open (a summer problem). You can also use iodine, and then dust with penicillin powder.
Yours sincerely
Bjørn Boesgaard – Studfarm Boesgaard