Broodmare: Gestation & Foaling - Most equine pregnancies proceed naturally without complication. This handout provides general husbandry and health care guidelines. It also outlines the normal gestation and foaling sequence of events. The purpose of this handout is to assist you in recognizing “normals”; so that your mare’s pregnancy will proceed with minimal stress to her and to you, and so that, in the rare event, when a complication does arise you are prepared to call for assistance.

Normal Gestation, Feed, & Exercise:

• 330-350 days. The fetus initiates foaling.

• Gestational colic is not uncommon. Veterinary Examination is indicated.

• Do not allow mare to become overweight.

• Feed a quality grass forage free choice throughout gestation.

• Avoid overfeeding grain (energy supplementation). Feed grain to maintain condition only.

• Supplement with a Balanced Vitamin & Mineral Mix, if indicated by forage analysis.

• I do NOT recommend Calcium supplementation during gestation. Hypocalcemia is rare in broodmares.

• Vaccination & Deworming Schedules: See separate handouts.

• Blood type to rule out Neonatal Isoerythrolysis before breeding. (At Risk Multipartum Mares)

1st Trimester:

• Regular diet, exercise, & training can be maintained in most mares.

• Ultrasound on Day 20 of Gestation to terminate twinning.

• Pregnancy Examination on Day 45 to confirm fetal settling.

• 2nd Trimester:

• Maintenance Diet

• Discontinue forced training/ exercise. Light workouts acceptable. (avoid stressful events)

• Pregnancy Examination once during Trimester.

2nd  Trimester:

• Maintenance Diet

• Discontinue forced training/exercise.  Light workouts acceptable.  (Avoid stressfull events)

• Pregnancy Examination once during Trimester.

3rd Trimester:

• Pasture rest.

• Remove Endophyte-infected Fescue forages from diet 2 to 3 months prior to expected due date.

• Increase grain supplementation to meet energy needs (mare, fetus, and lactation).

• Lactation begins last 5-6 weeks of gestation: greatest energy demand.

• Open Caslick Suture 30 days prior to expected due date.

• Vaccinate Mare to increase colostral antibody levels 30 days prior to expected due date.

• Deworm Mare with an Avermectin 30 days prior to expected due date.

• Udder begins to fill 3 weeks prior to foaling.

• Get Mare acclimated to foaling stall and attendants (1-2 Max.) 2-3 weeks prior to expected due date.

• Udder “waxes” 1 to 3 days before foaling.

• Pregnancy Examination once during Trimester.

Normal Foaling (Parturition):

• WATCH THE MARE CLOSELY WHEN APPROACHING HER OR THE FOAL. ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE CONTROLLING THE MARE WHEN HANDLING THE FOAL. NEVER STAND BETWEEN A MARE AND HER FOAL.

• Mares prefer to foal in a solitary environment at night and will not usually foal while being observed.
  Parturition usually proceeds rapidly & without complications. Let nature take its course!

Stage1 (Positioning of Fetus & Cervical Dilation):

• 2 to 4 hours long. Mare’s attitude will vary from restlessness to sweating and marked colic.

• Loose tail wrap can be applied.

• Wash vulva, perivular area, & udder with warm water and mild soap. Rinse soap clean and Dry.

Stage 2 (Delivery of Foal):

• Keep all human intervention to a minimum to facilitate mare-foal bonding.

• Mares usually foal lying on their sides.

• Water breaks and delivery usually proceeds within 20 minutes.

• Foal must be breathing within 45 minutes of Breaking Water.

• Foal will routinely rupture amnionic sac. Assist if necessary. If the amnionic sac is red or discolored (should be white), assist foal in rupturing sac immediately.

• Do NOT cut, tear, or ligate the umbilical cord from the placenta, it will break naturally. The placenta is still supplying the foal with blood after birth. Encourage mare to lie quietly for a few minutes while blood transfers from the placenta to the foal.

• Mare will clean foal. Assist in removing amnionic fluid from nostrils and mouth with a clean, dry cloth.

• Once umbilical cord separates, Dip foal’s navel with iodine or betadine solution.

• The foal should stand within 1 hour after birth, and should nurse and pass the meconium within 3 hours. Assist if necessary. Maiden mares may have to be held while foal nurses.

Stage 3 (Expulsion of Fetal Membranes):

• Mare usually passes fetal membranes between 30 minutes and 3 hours postpartum.

• Mare usually lies down and acts restless.

• Brown discharge for about a week is normal.

• SAVE THE PLACENTA FOR VETERINARY EXAMINATION.

• RETAINED FETAL MEMBRANES IN A MARE IS AN EMERGENCY!!!

Postpartum Care:

• Mare’s nutritional requirements double. Grain to maintain body condition. 

• Feed a quality grass forage free choice and supplement forage with Broodmare/Foal Ration.

• Mare and Foal should receive daily moderate exercise.

• Deworm Mare with an Avermectin 12 hours after foaling

• Deworm Mare and Foal at 6 weeks. Do NOT use a Piperazine Product on foals.

• Begin Creep Feeding the Foal between 2 and 8 weeks of age.

• Foal Vaccinations should begin at 3 months.

• Most foals are weaned between 4 and 6 months of age.

When to call a Veterinarian:

• ANY TIME YOU PERCEIVE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION!!!

• If your mare colics during gestation.

• If the mare’s udder is not full of milk 1 week prior to expected foaling date. Mares on fescue should start Domperidone treatment 10 days before expected foaling date.

• If the mare drips milk excessively before foaling.

• If the mare presents and delivers a “Red Bag.” Foal must be cut out of Amnionic Sac.

• If the foal is not presented into the birth canal with the front feet (with soles down) and nose first.

• If the foal is not delivered within 20 minutes after Breaking Water.

• If the placenta is not passed within 3 hours, or if the placenta is incomplete or discolored.

• If the foal does not stand within 1 hour and nurse within 3 hours, or pass the meconium within 3 hours.

• Foal Diarrhea can be life threatening.

• The Mare, Foal, and Placenta should be checked by a veterinarian 24 hours after foaling.

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