One of the most exciting and rewarding experiences for horse owners is raising a foal. Watching a foal grow and mature into a good youth horse, pleasure mount, or even a world champion can be a thrill, but it does require effort, time, and horsemanship skills. Early management decisions help determine the relative success of the foal's entire life.
Newborn Foal Checklist:
• After birth, make sure the foal is breathing. You may need to clear mucus from its nostrils. Also, check the mouth for foreign materials that could choke the foal.
• Mares generally foal lying down. Ideally, the mare should lie quietly for 15 to 20 minutes after foaling to allow the blood in the placenta to transfer to the foal. Once this has occurred, the umbilical cord normally breaks 2-3 inches from the abdominal wall. If you need to sever the cord, never cut it or pull against the foal's abdomen.
• Bacteria can invade the body through the navel stump. An infection of the navel may lead to neonatal septicemia, a common disease of young foals. To disinfect the navel stump, treat with 2 percent iodine or a 50-50 mixture of strong iodine and glycerine. Be careful, as large amounts of iodine can cause severe irritation and burns on the abdominal skin.
• If the mare has not had a tetanus immunization before foaling, give the foal a tetanus antitoxin injection. Some veterinarians recommend this injection even if the mare has had her tetanus booster.
• In cold or damp weather, dry the foal thoroughly. A brisk rubbing with a towel or clean straw stimulates the muscles, respiratory efforts, and circulation. Consider using heat lamps in the foaling stall in cold weather.
• The foal should be able to stand 1-2 hours after foaling and nurse within 2-3 hours after birth. Weak foals may need assistance. If necessary, place some colostrum on the foal's nose and lips, as well as over the mare's udder. If the foal has not nursed within 4 hours of birth but has a strong suckle reflex, you can strip colostrum from the udder and bottle feed the foal. Do not force feed a foal that lacks a suckle reflex. If the foal will not nurse, call a veterinarian for medical assistance.
• Constipation frequently is seen in newborns because fecal material (meconium) accumulates in the foal's rectum before birth. Constipated foals flag their tails and strain to defecate. "Milk feces" is a yellow, pasty material that indicates the meconium has been passed. You may give a 4-ounce fleet phosphate enema from the drug store to ease the passage of the meconium.
• Observe foals closely for normal urination, as ruptured urinary bladder may occur. Colts are more affected than fillies.
• If weather permits, allow the mare and foal to exercise for 1 hour in a small paddock the day after foaling. If the ground is wet or the weather is cold, bring the mare and foal inside as soon as the foal tires and wants to lie down. The foal should not overexert itself, especially if it has crooked legs or weak tendons.
• Most foals are born at night. A veterinary examination the following day is essential to identify foals at high risk for septicemia. At this time, the vet can identify any other potential problems requiring immediate attention.
• It is the responsibility of the foal owner or farm manager to continually observe the foal, especially during the first 48 to 72 hours. Foals generally are very active and play with each other. Keep foals of the same age and size together.
• Foals sleep about half the day, usually on their sides. A foal with abdominal pain may sit upright, resting on its chest, may curl its legs and neck in unusual positions, or may roll up on its back. A foal standing by itself or close to its dam with its head down and ears drooped needs attention.
• Within the first 4 days of life, the normal foal temperature varies between 99 to 102°F. The resting heart rate is between 70 to 100 beats per minute or higher if excited or active. Resting respiration rate in the first weeks is between 20 to 40 breaths per minute. Foals should weigh about 10 percent of the mare at birth.
A Word About Colostrum
Colostrum, the first milk, is a concentrated source of nutrients, energy, protein, minerals, vitamin A, and immunoglobulins. It also has a laxative effect that aids in the elimination of meconium. Colostrum is secreted only during the first 24 to 48 hours.
Although the foal is born immunocompetent, it takes 2 to 4 months for its immune system to produce enough antibodies to guard against disease. At birth, the foal depends upon immunity acquired from colostrum. To optimize the colostrum's antibody concentration, immunize pregnant mares about 1 month before foaling.
You can establish a colostrum bank by milking one teat of a heavily milking mare while the foal nurses the other. Strain the colostrum through clean cheesecloth. You can mix colostrum (6 ounces) from different mares.
Freeze colostrum in a sealable plastic bag for emergency use. Your home freezer is cold enough to store the colostrum for about 1 year. When needed, thaw at room temperature. Microwaves or hot water can denature the antibodies.
Used by Permission of Oregon State University Extension Service
Ellingson, J. and L. Coates-Markle, Managing Your Pregnant Mare and Her Foal, EC 1476 (Oregon State University Extension Service, Corvallis, April 1996).
Juli Ellingson is a former OSU student in equine sciences, and Linda Coates-Markle is the former director of the OSU Horse Center.
For additional resources visit Oregon State University Extension Service online at oregonstate.edu, fax (541-737-0817), e-mail (puborders@oregonstate.edu) or phone (1-800-561-6719).
Copyright © 2008 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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