Time for foals - this is what you need to know

13 Mar 2025

Time for foals: this is what you need to know about foaling

Is there anything more soothing than watching a mare with her foal out on summer pasture? In the spring, when it is time for the mare to foal, the anticipation is most palpable. Every little change feels significant. It's an exciting and expectant time, filled with both joy and questions. How do you really know when the mare is starting to get ready to foal? And what is important to keep track of - before, during, and after foaling?

Before foaling 
All pregnant mares do not show the same signs that foaling is near. Typical signs are that the mare's udder fills, a hollowness/laxity develops on either side of the tail root, and wax plugs in the teats; at these signs, foaling may be just a few hours away. Make sure you have the following ready to be properly prepared for foaling:

  • When foaling approaches, have a foal watch ready.

  • Install a camera in the stable so you can monitor your mare from home

  • Have a large foaling box cleaned and ready, with a thick layer of bedding so that the mare can lie down comfortably. Use new and clean bedding material as the foal is susceptible to infections when it is born.

  • Make sure there is enough light in the stable (feel free to leave a lamp on even at night)

  • Write down important phone numbers, such as the number for your veterinarian and someone who can drive if you need to take your mare and foal to the clinic

  • Have colostrum in the freezer, or a Pavo SOS kit, in case something goes wrong with the mare, or if the foal does not want to suckle.

  • Put a bandage on the mare's tail – so that you can see the entire process clearly

  • Also prepare: towels, a clean bucket, disinfectant (iodine), an umbilical cord clamp, and scissors.

During foaling 
When the foaling starts and the amniotic sac is visible, check that the foal's position is correct. Make sure you can feel two forelegs and the head. If this is not the case, the foal may be in the wrong position. Then make sure the mare is standing and call the veterinarian immediately.

The first day after foaling 
The first 24 hours after foaling are critical for the foal. It is important that you check a number of things (see the table below). The foal is born without antibodies and depends on the antibodies in the mare's colostrum to gain protection against infections. It is only during the first 24 hours that the antibodies can pass through the foal's intestinal walls and thus be absorbed into the bloodstream; after 24 hours, the passage in the intestinal wall closes. The best absorption is within 12 hours after foaling. If the foal does not want to suckle, if the mare suffers from mastitis or has died, it is important to provide frozen, thawed colostrum, plasma, or colostrum from the Pavo SOS kit.

Worst case scenario: A motherless foal 
Problems during foaling are every breeder's nightmare. It is important that you know what to do and who to contact when issues arise.

Check before foaling if there are any Facebook groups or websites for foster mares and orphaned foals. If the foal or mare does not survive the foaling, then turn to these sites. Through these sites, you can attempt to arrange an adoption. If you need a surrogate mother and find one that has lost her foal, check what the cause was. If there is suspicion of disease, it is better not to place the foal there. Be meticulous when arranging the adoption and write down the agreement in writing.

Another solution may be that a mare has not foaled, but lactation is initiated with a special treatment. Usually, it is easier for the mare to accept the foal in this scenario.  

Weaning the foal 
Most foals are weaned from their mother when they are between 5 and 6 months old, when they are no longer dependent on the mare's milk and can eat roughage and mineral supplements/foal pellets. To reduce the mare's milk production, it may be wise to decrease the mare's concentrate feed. Three days before the planned weaning, stop giving concentrate feed entirely. Ensure that the mare gets enough exercise.

Text written in collaboration with Pavo - first published on 2023-03-15