The most beautiful moment of the year

The most special moment of the year.
The birth of a foal!

After almost a year of waiting, the most special moment has arrived; the birth of a foal.
Whether it is your mare’s first foal or you are a seasoned breeder…. it remains a miracle to witness.

Spring has begun and the first foals have been born.
The birth of a foal is usually very quick.
The first thing we see is the breaking of the water.
Some mares immediately lie down while others keep getting up.
After the water, the hoofs come out and if all goes well, soon the nose comes out between the front legs and then the full foal will slide out.

What should you pay attention to during and after birth?

It is important that the umbilical cord remain connected to the placenta for as long as possible and will eventually break off on its own due to the movements of mare and foal.
The birth of a foal is an exciting event and things can go wrong.
It is therefore important to keep an eye on whether everything is going well and for this we can use the 1-2-3 rule.
After 1 hour the foal should be standing up, after 2 hours it should have been drinking and after 3 hours the first stool, called meconium or intestinal fluid, should have passed.
There is a clear correlation between these three events because a foal that does not stand up cannot drink, and drinking stimulates the movements of the intestines that help pass the meconium.

The first milk, colostrum, is thick and viscous and contains many antibodies.
Thus, it is extremely important that the foal receive these antibodies through colostrum very soon after birth to be armed against disease-causing germs.
At this time the mare has had the afterbirth, if not, there should be no hesitation in calling the veterinarian.
A mare can become very sick if she is left with the afterbirth.

And of course very much enjoying this little miracle!

Fortunately, everything usually goes well and we can enjoy a frisky foal in the pasture after the birth!
From the last trimester of pregnancy and during lactation, the mare has an increased energy requirement and an adjustment of vitamins and minerals is needed.
Florian Horsefood has developed the next gen primal pellet for this with carefully selected raw materials that ensure the best possible start for your mare and foal.

Author: Hilde Vrancken

Veterinary specialist