Birth at one month or even longer over the average figure seldom creates problems. In pregnancies lasting longer than a month over the average period, it is advisable to have a veterinary surgeon examine the mare. It may be advisable to recheck your documentation and in particular the date of last covering.

By early February many foals are already being born. Such foals are virtually all born at stud farms where experienced and skilled personnel are present, having a roat of 'sitting up', and often video monitoring of prospective mothers.

At the opposite end of the scale are breeders of other varieties of horse, and even single mare owners probably of a much loved previously competitive animal, who have no direct hands-on experience of the process of partuition. In the this article we aim to describe the sequence of events in a normal delivery so that the attendant person has some guidance as to when to summon immediate veterinary assistance.

The average duration of pregnancy in the mare is reckoned to be around 340 days. This, like all average figures, has wide variations either way and often perfectly normal and healthy foals are born one month either side of this figure. On the other hand, foals born 6 weeks or earlier have poor survival even if subject to intensive care as normal organ function does not seem to be established. As well as prematurity a condition known as dysmaturity exists whereby the foal although born at full time shows signs of retarded development, probably due to impairment of an adequate blood supply during the period of its intra-uterine environment.

Abdominal distension will be a feature of mares in the latter part of pregnancy, and this will correspond with a decrease in exertional activity. In the last 2 - 3 weeks of gestation a relaxation of the abdominal muscles with a consequent 'dropping' will become evident, this being particular evident on older mares which have gone through a succession of pregnancies.

At the same time relaxation of the muscles round the hind quarters tends to create hollows either side of the root of the tail, which become more apparent about 4 weeks before full term, enlargment of the udder will be apparent, this process continuing with fillinf of the teats by a clear viscous secretion which typically, 24 to 48hrs before foaling coagulates to form the candle wax appearance at the end of the teats. At 12 to 24hrs before foaling, in the classically 'normal' situation, this was liquefies and colostrums can be expressed. The above description of events can be regarded as 'normal' but wide variations occur which lead to foalings which are completely uncomplicated in every respect.

In professional parlance, the act of foaling is devided into three phases:

1 Intra-uterine changes are taking place
and there may be little or no evidence of these changes externally. Some mares may appear restless and exhibit patchy sweating. In phase 1 there is no visible effort on the part of the mare, but uterine involvement has already begun. During this period a dramatic repositioning of the foal is occurring in that the foetus moves from lying on its back with knees flexed and head resting between them, to being right way up with front legs and head extended into the birth canal. This phase can last up to four hours.

2 Actual delivery commences.
and the appearance at the lips of the vulva of a balloon-like sac of allantoic fluid indicates that this phase is under way. Soon, with increasing pressure, this sac will rupture and allantoic fluid will be released. This is the characteristic 'breaking of the waters'. During this phase the mare will nearly always lie down and commence proper abdominal contractions involving muscular effort.

These contractions will commonly occur in a series of three or four, with rest periods intervening, and indeed the mare will often rise and wander around the box, particularly if they are maidens and somewhat anxious about the whole process. Soon the foal will make its first apperance, typically in the form of one fore foot, which is followed by a second 20 to 40cms behind it.

The fore legs are closely followed by the nose. This phase labour averages about 20 minutes, although considerable leeway either side of this can be completely normal. Complete delivery of the foal takes place in this phase, although often the lower hind limbs of the foal will be still within the mare. It seems superfluous to remark that the first breaths of the foal are crucial. Serious bran damage can occur at this stage if there is any oxygen starvation to the brain.

The foaling attendant should ensure that the nostrils of the foal are clear and in particular that no parts of the foetal membrane are covering the newborn's muzzle. It is also ideal if both mare and foal lie quietly for ten minutes, with the two still being connected by the umbilical cord. The contraction of the now empty uterus pushed placental blood into the foal giving it a boost and optimum start in life. In reality this period of inaction is often much shorter, and indeed with younger or first time foaling mares, may not happen at all as quite often complete delivery takes place while the mare is standing.

Sooner or later, either struggling on the part of the foal or the mare getting to her feet will break the cord at its predetermined weak point a few centimetres from the foals abdomen. As soon as practically possible, the umbilical stump, which should stop bleeding almost immediately, should be dressed with an anti-bacterial solution, the most efficient is reckoned to be 0.5% chlohexidine. In the normal uncomplicated foaling phase 2 is a rapid process. Equally problems can arise with similar swiftness and time is of the essence in order to prevent potentially serious and even lethal complications.

The vast majority of deliveries are uncomplicated.
nevertheless, one should try to be present at the event, and even more importantly, be in a position to summon veterinary assistance quickly. Call you vet if:- After one hour of phase 2 ie. after rupture of the amniotic membrane and no further progress is made. This may be due amongst other reasons to abnormal positioning of the foals and requires rapid correction If instead of pale whitish amniotic membrane, a dark red velvety membrane should appear intact, immediate action is called for, and the attendant should attempt to rupture this membrane with fingers or a suitable blunt instrument.

In those cases, early placental separation from the uterine lining may have occurred imprisoning the foal in a sac which is no longer capable of maintaining life. If one or more legs having been presented, further delivery is arrested. Again postional abnormalities of the foal may be responsible and as with all such cases, the sooner skilled assistance is available the more successful the outcome. A normal vigorous foal should be on its feet and at least making attempts to suckle within 2 hours.

Some foals may take a little longer, particularly when faced with uncooperative and often maiden mothers. In such cases some form of restraint such as holding the mare in a head collar, holding up a front leg or even the use of a twitch may have to resorted to so that the foal can access colostrums as soon as possible. With regard to colostrums, some mares may run milk during late pregnancy, but well ahead of foaling and in so losing valuable colostrums which is vital to the well-being of the newborn. If possible this secretion should be milked from the mare and deep frozen.

When the foal is fit to suck, the thawed secretion should be given to the foal by teat or alternatively administered via a naso-gastric tube by your veterinary surgeon. Call your vet if:- If within 12hrs of birth the complete placenta has not been passed by the mare. Even today with the range of anti-biotic and other drugs available to the clinician, it is still important that no fragments of the membrane are retained within the mare. If within the first 2 or 3 days if the mare shows any signs of colic or other discomfort, as such symptoms could be due to internal haemorrhage. Such haemorrhage is into the broad ligmanent of the uterus and it is not necessary or even common for blood to appear externally for such a potentially fatal situation to be present.

It is good policy to have your vet call and check your mare and foal in the first 24hrs post foaling. At this visit, the general condition of the mare and foal can assessed and the placenta checked to see that it is intact, as even small scraps remaining within the uterus can lead ti infection, consequent laminitis. This examination should include checking for meconium retention in the foal and if history warrants, a blood sample for immunoglobin to establish whether enough colostrums has been absorbed. On many studs, anti-biotics are administered routinely to newborn foals with or without tetanus antitoxin, depending on the vaccination history of the mare.

Finally, nearly all foalings are completely uncomplicated.
If in doubt, however, it is much better to call the vet unnecessarily rather than waste time and allow a slight problem to develop into a serious one. In foaling, time is of the essence.