#horsesa #horse #horsehealth #horsebreeding Presented at the Horse SA Breeding Seminar June 2019. Dr Jason Andrews of Adelaide Hills Veterinary Services http://www.adelaidehillsvet.com/ Hosted by Horse SA https//www.horsesa.asn.au a non-profit organisation working with and for horse owners on common topics. Why not join, sponsor or donate today https://www.horsesa.asn.au/join-sponsor-or-donate or visit our website for more events, webinars or download free resources. Note: Horse SA has hosted this presentation only. It is up to individuals to seek their own advice. It is also the responsibility of individuals to familiarise themselves with laws relating to the provision of animal services which may fall under Acts or Regulations associated with veterinary services, animal welfare and related areas, which vary between Australian states, and in jurisdictions within different countries.

1. FOALING – WHEN TO
CALL THE VET?
Dr Jason Andrews BSc (Hons) BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Animal Reproduction)
Adelaide Hills Veterinary Services, Woodside SA.
Jason@adelaidehillsvet.com

2. Foaling at The Irish National Stud

3. The Lead-Up to Foaling
• Mares should be relatively fit and in good (but not fat)
body condition for a healthy birth
• If a mare is to be moved to another property to foal,
she should be moved at least four weeks before her
due date
• gives her enough time to
develop antibodies to any
“bugs” that may be present
in the new environment
• so that the antibodies can be
passed on to the foal in the
colostrum

4. Four Weeks prior to the due date
Vaccinate for tetanus (and strangles?)
• Maximises tetanus antibodies in the colostrum
Drench as required
• Ensure the drench is safe for pregnant mares
Trim feet
• Prevents stress of farrier visit with newborn foal
Monitor the mare for signs of preparation for birth
• “bagging up”
• Softening of the muscles around the rump

6. Within 24-48hrs before foaling
• Rump drops away noticeably
• Vulva loosens and slackens
• “Waxing up” – globs of wax-like substance often form at
the ends of the teats
• Dripping or squirting milk
• Signs of labour

7. Milk Testing
• Milk turns from clear and watery to honey-like to creamy white
• Test kits measure Calcium/Magnesium level
• Accurately predicts foaling within 48hrs in most mares
• Pool pH test strips are also useful - drops from 7.4 to approximately
6.4 within 12 hours prior to foaling.

8. Monitoring
• Mercury switch alarms
• Attached to halter
• sets off when mare lies flat
• Sensors
• Transmitters placed in/on the reproductive tract
• Set off when foal passing through the vulva
Audible noise / call mobile phone

9. Parturition in Mares
There are three stages:
1. Stage 1 = initial signs of discomfort as the mare and
foal prepare for birth
2. Stage 2 = begins when the “waters break” and ends
with the delivery of the foal
3. Stage 3 = the delivery of the foetal membranes

10. Stage 1
• Commences 2 to 8+ hours before the foal is born.
• May go for up to 24 hours or even longer in some mares
• Uterus contracts to position the foal for birth
• Cervix dilates to allow passage of the foal
• Mare will usually show
increasing signs of
agitation and discomfort
during this time.

11. Stage 1
The mare may:
• appear restless and pace around her paddock, often with her tail
raised
• have a reduced appetite or eat ravenously between bouts of walking
• paw the ground
• look around at her belly and flank
• urinate or defecate frequently
• repeatedly lie down and get up
• break into a sweat
• circle and sniff the ground
• isolate herself from other horses

12. Stage 2
• The second stage begins with the “breaking of the
waters”

13. Checking the positioning
• The correct position of a foal for birth is very
important.
• Foals should be born in a “diving” position.
• If presentation is normal, most mares will complete the
birth unaided without any trouble.

15. Stage 2
• Usually at this stage the mare will lie down flat and
commence straining to push the foal out.
• The mare may have several short rest periods during this
intense straining,
It should not take
any longer than
about 20 minutes
from when the
waters break to
when the foal is fully
born
Dead by 1 hour!!

17. Placental anatomy in brief

18. Red Bag Delivery
• In a normal birth, you should never see a red velvety bag
appear at the vulva
• Red bag delivery = Chorioallantois visible first
• Premature separation of the membranes from the uterine
wall
Foal needs to be delivered
urgently
Cut bag and pull foal ASAP

19. Stage 3
• The third stage is the expulsion of the foetal membranes
• If the membranes have still not been expelled 3-4 hours
after the foal is born, a veterinarian needs to be
consulted.
• 8 hours post-foaling – Emergency!!
Never pull on the
membranes to try to
remove them

20. Assisted Delivery
If the mare appears to be struggling to push out a large
foal, the attendant can give her some assistance.
However, it is very important to know how to do so
before attempting to assist.
firmly grasp the foal’s legs by the pasterns
pull out and down towards the
mare’s hocks in an arc shape
pull only when the mare has a
contraction, i.e. when it is obvious
that she is pushing
make sure you apply even
pressure to both legs

21. Inspecting the Foetal Membranes
• Weigh the membrane >7kg = likely placentitis
• Lay them out for inspection
• Check for any sign of tears to ensure that none is left
inside the uterus to set up an infection
Allantoic calculi or Hippomanes

22. So When to Call the Vet?
1. First Stage greater than 12 hr.
2. Second Stage more than 20 min
(Note: DEAD in 1 hr!!!)
3. Abnormal position (2 feet and a nose)
4. Red Bad delivery
5. Any Assisted delivery
6. Third Stage Membranes not passed in 3 to
4 hours
7. You suspect there is retained membranes
QUESTION