The Wonders of New Life
An educational pictorial presentation
Presented by Cornerstone Farm
TRUE LIFE IS ALWAYS NEW
Foaling Sequence - A Foal is Born
Pictorial
This
presentation is of MS Panda giving birth to Cornerstone Rockette
(1997)
During the first stages of labor the
mare may frequently raise and lower her tail and urinate. She
becomes anxious and restless. Most mares foal without difficulty. It
is best to allow the mare to foal undisturbed and unassisted.
Stage one with the onset of contractions usually lasts 1-2 hours.
The mare may lie down and get up several times, paw the ground, or
sweat on chest and flanks. With labor begun the mare's muscles
contract to rotate the foal. The foal's backbone is in line with the
mare's and its forelegs are extended. While the foal is being
turned, the mare's cervix dilates so that the foal can be pushed
from the uterus into the birth canal (mare's vulva). When the sac
breaks, signaled by a rush of fluid, stage one ends. The amniotic
fluid that cushioned and protected the foal during pregnancy also
lubricates the birth canal for easier passage of the foal..
Stage two is relatively quick. The mare usually lays down on her
side and braces her legs stiffly during foaling. It is still a
normal delivery if she stands up or rolls several times in an effort
to properly position the foal for delivery. Some mares like human
companionship when foaling, seemingly reassured by the presence of a
familiar friend. Other mares prefer that everyone stay at a distance
and do all they can to insure it. Try to honor the preference of the
mare. Normally the delivery will take no longer than about 20
minutes. Normal presentation of the foal resembles a diving
position, front feet first, one slightly in front of the other,
hooves down followed 'closely' by the nose, head, neck, shoulders,
and hindquarters. The foal is born with his forelegs stretched
straight out and head resting on top of them. One leg should be
squeezed through the mare's pelvis. This narrows the shoulder of the
foal - the widest part of the foal's body and therefore, the most
difficult part of the birth. When the foal's neck can be seen, its
shoulders have successfully been pushed through the mare's pelvic
bones. After the foal's shoulders have passed, the mare may rest for
a few minutes before the foal's hind legs are delivered.
Stage three begins after delivery of the foal and is the time which
the afterbirth is expelled, usually within 1-3 hours after the foal
is delivered. The newborn foal is attached at its navel to the
placenta that is still inside the mare's uterus. Through the
umbilical cord that connects the foal to the placenta, the foal gets
a transfusion of additional blood, which gives it more strength.
When the foal struggles to get up, or moves toward the mare's head,
the navel cord normally breaks about two inches from the foal's
navel.
The mare usually licks the foal, drying the coat and stimulating
blood circulation. When she rises, usually within 20 to 60 minutes
after foaling, the amniotic sac that contained the foal hangs from
the vulva and is still connected to the placenta inside the mare's
uterus. The placenta gradually loosens and is passed as is the
afterbirth with the help of the foal's nursing which causes the
uterus to contract and expel. The foal should stand and nurse within
two hours after birth.
A new foal! A normal healthy delivery, always a blessing, and always
a beautiful sight to behold.
