How to Deliver a Healthy Foal

Horse lovers enjoy watching their mares deliver new foals. In most cases, the birth goes smoothly and without incident. Most mares can deliver the foal without help, but you can assist with the birth if you'd like to be more active in the process. It's wise to have a phone and your vet's number on hand just in case.

Instructions

1. Prepare for the delivery of the foal. Prep the mare and clean the stall to assure the best conditions for the newborn.

2. Look for signs of labor. You can install a camera system to monitor the progress of the mare or you can set up an area in the stable to quietly and discreetly watch and listen. Any disturbances can upset the mare and prolong or halt labor.

3. Go into the stall when the water has broken and the mare is in active labor. Walk around to the mare's rear end and see what's going on. Usually, the foal's nose and front two legs are sticking out at this stage. If nothing's happening but you can see that the mare is pushing, call your vet right away.

4. Help deliver the foal. When the mare is pushing, gently pull the foal straight out. Use a dry towel and hang onto the front legs to do this. Keep one leg slightly ahead of the other to help deliver the shoulders. Let the mare rest after the shoulders are delivered. When labor starts again, pull at a downward angle to rotate the foal's pelvis and make delivery of the hips a bit easier.

5. Allow the mare and foal to bond after the foal is fully delivered. Get yourself cleaned up and arrange for your vet to come check out both mare and foal within 24 hours of the birth.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider re-vaccinating the mare before she gives birth as she'll pass the antibodies to the unborn foal.

• You may need to assist the foal by reaching in and pulling its legs into the proper position if it is not presenting in the normal fashion. The same applies if the nose is angled wrong and not coming out. Do this gently but quickly. In many cases, the mare will get up and walk around so the foal can reposition itself and try again.

• Pull up instead of down to deliver the hips if the foal is presenting upside down.

• If the placenta is red, you'll most likely need to cut the sac open. Placenta previa is dangerous and the foal needs to deliver quickly.

• Leave the umbilical cord alone. Immediately following the delivery, both the mare and foal will rest. The mare will stand and break the umbilical cord when she's ready and there's very little bleeding involved if she does this at the proper time. If she stands too early, this can be a major hazard and you must tie or clamp off both ends of the cord to control the bleeding for both mare and foal.