There are 3 stages of foaling. While all mares are individuals, they all should progress through these stages in some fashion. By being familiar with the different stages, it will help you feel more confident and be ready to assist your mare, if needed.
Stage 1: Breaking of the water bag.
This stage NORMALLY lasts about 1-2 hours. The mare may act colicky and paw the ground, bite her sides and swish her tail aggressively. She may sweat around her neck and flanks. Frequent urination or slight discharge dripping is normal. She may pace and snatch small bites of hay. She may lie down and get up frequently. The birth canal is dilating during this time and the water bag may become visible at the mare's vulva. Do NOT break the water bag yourself. When the bag breaks, there will be a rush of fluid (two to five gallons). This is the ending of Stage I.
Stage 2: Delivery of the foal.
This stage normally lasts about 15-20 minutes. If it is delayed over 30 minutes, please call your veterinarian immediately! If you observe a red velvety sack during this period, also call your vet immediately! These are both emergent situations!!
During this stage, the mare may stand up, lie down, or roll to properly position the foal for delivery. Most mares lie down to deliver but if your mare stands and delivers her foal, you should try to catch the foal to prevent injury to it. The proper position of the foal during this stage resembles a diving position where the front legs will appear first with the foal's nose tucked between them. The foal's hooves should be positioned so that one hoof is slightly ahead of the other. If the soles are up, you should call your veterinarian immediately! This is an emergency situation!! If you see a backend coming out first (or trying to come out first), this too is an emergency and you need to call the vet ASAP!! A mare may rest with the foal half in and half out. That is not common, but is certainly not unusual.
Stage 3: After delivery of the foal, when the afterbirth (placenta) will be expelled.
This can take up to 3 hours. If it goes any longer, call your veterinarian for advice. You do NOT want to leave this unattended. You also do NOT want to forcefully pull the afterbirth out. This can tear the mare's uterine lining and can be a life-threatening situation! In addition, a retained placenta is toxic to your mare in less than six hours. If the mare hasn't passed it on her own within 3 hours, call the vet please!
Most mares will pass the placenta without assistance within one to three hours after the foal has been delivered. A mare will usually stand up after delivery and this is when the umbilical cord should break. Do NOT cut the umbilical cord. Necessary immunities, nourishment and blood are still being passed to the foal through the placenta. If the afterbirth is delivered and the umbilical cord still hasn't broken on it's own, ask your veterinarian if you should cut the cord then.
Here's a photo of one of our own foals, newly born. He's a miniature colt. Mother stands 32 inches tall and father stands 29.5 inches tall. He birth height was about 18 inches tall, with a cannon bone measurement of 7 inches. This should put him about 30 to 31 inches tall as an adult. No name yet. Look closely and you can see the umbilical cord still attached to the placenta (which the mom has not passed yet). When she stood up, the umbilical broke as it should. She passed the placenta/afterbirth about 30 minutes later.
That's all for this week's blog! Next week, what to do AFTER the foal is born. Enjoy your week!
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