Rural Heritage August/September 2025

break the bag at this point, just let mom contract and push. She will usually lie down shortly after the feet and nose appear. She will lay on her side and push with her contractions. Again, I don’t interfere as long as there is progress. I just stand and watch, waiting to help when and if needed. Remember, foals are not like calves, they need to “squeeze” through the birth canal slowly to get their lungs and heart working, resist the urge to just pull the foal out. Calves, too, benefit from a slower birth, but for foals it is imperative. Once the feet and head are out of the mare, pull the white sack off the foal’s nose. If the bag has not broken, once the head has passed out of the vulva, rip it gently off the foal’s nose. It is still breathing through the umbilical cord, but in a few moments will be needing to breathe on its own. The sack left in place, over the foal’s head and nose will suffocate the foal. You don’t need to bare its whole head, just get it off the nose. The mare may make a short pause once the head delivers. Her next push will usually bring the foal’s mid body out. One more good strain should push the hips out. At this point, the foal has delivered. It is common for its back legs to remain in mom for a bit as she catches her breath and relaxes a bit. This is the time for you to take a breath, too. This is the time that I use to imprint the foal. I pet it. I spray 7% iodine or a vet spray on the navel and feet. The navel will have separated from the sack and will be about 3 or 4 inches long. A small amount of blood is part of the process. Spray liberally with the spray on the cord/navel area. I spray all four feet on the “foal slippers” as they quickly dry and become hooves. I talk to the foal and touch all of it’s ticklish spots. I rub ears, flanks, belly, nose, legs etc. The foal will usually be shaky and wiggly wanting to try and get up. The mare should rise shortly after birth. Let her smell and nicker to her baby. Licking the foal helps to promote oxytocin in the mare’s blood which keeps her contracting, encouraging the passing of the placenta. Here is where the “1, 2, and 3” rules come into play. The foal should be standing within one hour. It should be nursing within two hours, and the mare should pass her placenta within three hours. I like to see the placenta passed before three hours, but make sure it passes – and all of it. Do not

The foal is up, alert and taking first steps.

The foal is out, the bag encircling the foal has been taken off its head, and everyone is taking a breath.

August/September 2025

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