When it's time to birth the baby, knowledge is key

This 3-day-old foal in Gilmer was born without trouble, but mare owners should be knowledgeable about the foaling process "just in case." -- Staff photo by Montgomery

February 7, 2002 -- Last spring, you found the perfect stallion for your perfect mare. You have waited 11 months, approximately 335 days, for your new baby and the time is nearing for her to deliver, but there are certain things you need to know.

"Thirty days before foaling, I give a mare a shot of VEWT (Venezuela, Eastern, Western, Tetanus) vaccine and worm with Ivermectrin," stated Dr. Russell Stocks of Gilmer Animal Clinic in Gilmer.

"I also make sure she is given a Rhino, Pneumabort shot at five, seven and nine months."

"If the mare isn't wormed, the foal will need to be wormed at about two to three weeks of age." the vet stated.

According to the Stocks, an owner should have on hand single dose vials of tetanus antitoxin, enemas, iodine solution and Banamine.

Once you have made sure your mare is healthy and the foaling area is clean, you wait, and wait, and probably wait some more.

"Most foals are delivered between two and four in the morning," said Dr. William Howard of Animal Clinic at the Crossings in Longview.

"Whether you choose for the mare to foal in the pasture or in a stall, you must have a quiet, clean environment," he stressed.

"People need to know the stages of labor so that they do not panic, but know when to be concerned," Howard said.

The first stage of labor is the mare will become anxious and nervous. She may lie down and get up often. Sometimes this may last up to 24 hours. This is the time in which the foal is getting into position for the birthing process.

"If a horse reads the book, this is when waxing usually occurs. Not all horses read so you have to use the words 'usually or generally'," stated Howard.

Waxing is a1/4 to 1/2 inch firm secretion from both teats. It yellow in color and looks like wax. Thus its name "waxing".

Milk will begin to drip from the teat. There are test kits that measure calcium concentrations in the milk. The test measures the level, and when these levels rise above 600 parts per million, foaling usually occurs within the next 24 hours. One kit is called Predict A Foal. You can order this kit from Veterinary Dynamics at 800-654-9743.

The second stage is the cervix dilates. The placenta will begin to show. It is important that the surface membranes be white. If the membrane is red, this is an emergency situation and a veterinarian should be contacted immediately according to Howard.

At the third stage or hard labor, the water breaks and one hoof will appear. The sole of the foot should be down. If the sole is up, the foal is coming backwards. The second hoof will appear about at the fetlock of the first hoof and labor continues until the foal is born. Hard labor usually lasts around three to five minutes.

Howard said he tells his customers that once the baby is on the ground, make sure the membrane is clear of its face. If it is not, tear the membrane and pull it over the head of the foal.

After this stage, the mare and foal will lie quietly for a little while. During this time, blood antibodies from the placenta will be transferred from the mare to her baby. Within minutes, the baby will attempt to stand and then to nurse. The foal needs to nurse within 15 minutes to one hour after birthing. It is during nursing that the foal will receive colostrum, nutrient rich first milk. If the foal will not nurse, you will need to help it try to nurse. The colostrum needs to be in the baby's system within 12 hours after birthing.

Frozen colostrum or artificial colostrum can often be obtained from your veterinarian. But, if the baby nurses its mother, it will get the colostrum it needs.

After the baby has nursed, it should be given a single dose of tetanus antitoxin and an enema, according to the vets. The navel should be swabbed with an iodine solution. Howard recommends swabbing the navel once a day for a couple days.

The mare will pass the placenta within 30 minutes. If the placenta is still intact after 30 minutes, contact your veterinarian.

The baby's bowel movement should be a yellowy, tarry stool not watery. Howard said, "If you get cow patties, that is too lose. A foal that has diarrhea before he nurses, I worry about."

Both Stocks and Howard are strong believers in imprinting your foal. Howard stated that he can tell the adult horses that have been imprinted. If imprinted correctly, you should be able to do anything with your foal.

"You do whatever you want to to that foal. If you want to be able to tube worm, you stick your finger in that colt's nose until it stops resisting. Then do it 25 more time," Howard said. "Pick up their feet and pound on their feet until they stop resisting and then pound 25 more times. Remember the right side of a foal and the left side of a foal is a whole different world. If you imprint the right side, you have to imprint the left side."

"Horses never forget imprinting," replied Stocks. "You may need to reinforce what they have learned, but they never forget."

Information on imprinting can be obtained from the library, Internet or veterinarians. A book is available from Western Horsemen.

As far as key things to remember with having a new foal, Stocks stated, "If you are new to foaling, talk to a vet or an experienced horsemen about foaling. Study and learn everything you can. "