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PG. 20 THE RURAL VOICE/MAY 1282
IIMANIMAL SCIENCE
Foaling
by Dr. Peter Conlon B.Sc. (Agr.) M.Sc., D.V.M.
At this time of year a number of people are anxiously
waiting for their mares to foal (some for the first time).
Hopefully, this article will make that event a little easier for
all concerned.
The mare has an average gestation of eleven calendar
months from the last breeding date, although pregnancies
of one year are not unheard of. During the last two weeks
before delivery her udder will greatly enlarge and, in the
final few days, "waxing" (the leakage of colostrum from
the teats) will be seen. In the last week the mare's vulva will
lengthen and become flabby and the ligaments on either
side of her tailhead will drop.
The birth of most foals occurs between 10:00 P.M. and
2:00 A.M. The mare is able to temporarily halt the birth
process if she is disturbed by the presence of people or other
distractions, so if you want to observe your mare foaling, do
it quietly. The foaling box itself should be Targe, well
lighted. clean and deeply bedded.
You will notice the mare becoming anxious as the time of
foaling approaches. She may pace. paw the ground and look
at her flanks, and milk may run from her udder. There
might be a few false alarms over several days before she
"gets down to business" so be patient! When ready, she
will usually lie down and a stream of yellow-brown fluid will
flow from her vulva as the placenta ruptures. In about five
minutes a bulge of membrance will show at the opening of
the vulva and the mare begins to strain in earnest. Normally
the foal's front feet will now appear and rupture the
membrane over them. The head should now follow and
most foals are born with no trouble at all. The birth process
may take five to sixty minutes (average twenty minutes). If
the mare seems to be making no progress one hour after
beginning serious labour, you should phone your
veterinarian immediately as there is likely some problem
with the foaling.
The umbilical cord should not be cut - it will break when
the foal struggles or the mare gets to her feet. Once the cord
is broken you should soak the foal's navel with iodine and
repeat this treatment daily for three days in order to prevent
infection. The placenta usually is expelled within an hour
but it can be retained six to eight hours before veterinary
assistance is required to remove it.
Leave the mare alone until she wishes to stand on her
own. When the afterbirth is passed check to see that there
are no pieces missing which have remained in the mare
possibly leading to a severe infection.
Avoid the urge to get the foal up and nursing right away, -
the Tess human interference at this point the better. It will
likely be standing within one hour and nursing in two hours.
The mare should have been vaccinated against tetanus
during her pregnancy - if she has not been then tetanus
toxoid for the newborn is often recommended.
Dr. Peter Conlon B. Sc. (Agr.), M.Sc., O.V.M. has been
employed by Dr. Terry Johnston, Newry Veterinary
Service, in Atwood, for the past two years. He has special
interest in horses and swine.