A foaling mare should not be placed in a strange environment or have a stranger act as
night attendant immediately prior to parturition. Any sudden changes may delay foaling.
Ideally, mares should be placed in the foaling environment 2 to 3 weeks prior to her
expected foaling date.
Mares can foal in a variety of locations, depending on the weather and facilities available.
Whatever the choice of foaling locations, the environment should be clean, have adequate
space, and be reasonably quiet. Mares due to foal in the winter months will require a large
(14' X 14' minimum), clean foaling stall. During warm weather, many producers choose to
allow their mares to foal in grassy paddocks or pastures. Dirt lots should be avoided, if
possible.
For mares foaling in a stall, the stall should be freshly bedded with clean, dry straw rather
than shavings. An 8- to 10- inch-thick bed of straw will decrease dust, chances of infection,
and is easier to clean. Safety to the mare and foal should be kept in mind when selecting a
foaling stall. Stalls should be constructed to allow isolation of the mare and safety to the
newborn foal. Thorough disinfection of the stall prior to bringing in the mare will help prevent
disease. The mare should be allowed ample exercise up to foaling. Stall confinement for an
extended period just prior to foaling may predispose the mare to impaction colic and
abnormal swelling.
Mares foaling in paddocks or pasture should either be isolated or have sufficient space to
separate themselves from any other horses in the pasture. Additionally, the
pasture/paddock should be examined for possible hazards to the foal. A shelter should be
provided in case of wet or cold weather.
Regardless of the place, the foaling area should be isolated and quiet. Safety of the mare
and foal should be kept in mind when deciding where the foaling will occur. The cleanliness
of the foaling area cannot be stressed enough. Foaling in contaminated areas can
predispose the foal to bacteria invasion and neonatal septicemia via the navel stump.
Preparations for Foaling-Caslicks Removal
Early in gestation, some mares require a Caslicks operation to partially suture together the
lips of the vulva. Caslicks are used to prevent problems in mares that have abnormal vulva
conformation. Mares that have a Caslicks must have the lips of the vulva opened at least 30
days prior to foaling. If the Caslicks is not opened, there is the possibility of oblique tears to
the vulva or vagina which are difficult to repair and may result in a deformity that leads to
uterine infection.
Inducing Parturition?
With the great variability in determining the foaling time in mares, the question of labor
induction frequently arises. Although it is possible to induce parturition in mares, it is not
recommended. Only in extreme situations, such as a life threatening condition to the mare
or foal or some type of medical emergency, is parturition induction recommended. If this
procedure is used, it should be done under supervision of an experienced veterinarian. A
mare improperly induced could result in severe complications to both the mare and foal.
If conditions warrant a mare to have labor induced, she must only be induced once certain
criteria are met. First, the mare must have reached a gestation length of at least 330 days.
Substantial mammary development with colostrum present is critical. Additionally, the cervix
must be soft and dilated the width of one to two fingers. Finally, the foal should be in the
correct position for a "normal" presentation. If these conditions are not in place, the mare
may not be close enough to parturition for a safe induction.
There are various methods your veterinarian may choose to induce labor. It is important to
remember that induction of parturition in mares should not be practiced routinely, due to the
risks involved to both mare and foal.
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