What is the proper care of the mare and foal during and after foaling?

Definitions Fetus Colostrum Allantois Foaling Labor An unborn offspring of a mammal Colostrum The first secretion from the mammary glands after giving birth, rich in antibodies Allantois Fetal membrane Foaling Giving birth to a foal Labor the process of birth

Definitions Meconium Parturition Placenta Udder Umbilical Cord the dark green substance forming the first feces of a newborn Parturition Act of giving birth Placenta a flattened circular organ in the uterus of pregnant mare, nourishing & maintaining the fetus Udder Mammary glands Umbilical Cord A flexible cordlike structure containing blood vessels & attaching a fetus to the placenta during gestation

Pregnant Mare Care Immediately Prior To Foaling Tetanus booster 30 days prior Results in higher antibodies, so foal receives adequate antibodies in colostrum Mares shoes, if any, should be removed Stall should be at least 12 x 14 ft Bedded w/straw, free of dust, long cut Wood shavings  avoided Can stick to the foal’s wet nostrils & suffocate it Disinfected

Signs of Approaching Parturition General Indicators Udder development begins about 2 – 6 weeks before foaling 7 – 10 days before the muscles & ligaments in the croup & pelvic area begin to relax Teats fill out 4 – 6 days “Waxing” Waxy secretion oozes out of the end of the nipples Building up 2 – 4 days prior W/in 24 hours, the wax may fall off and milk may drip or stream from teats

Signs of Approaching Parturition General Indicators (cont.) Mare will become nervous Pass small amounts of urine May appear to have cramps Sweat Pace At this point  wash the perineal area w/warm water & mild soap Wrap tail to help maintain cleanliness & prevent hair from entangling the foal

Stage of Parturition 3 Stages Stage 1 – Labor Stage 2 – Expulsion of Fetus Stage 3 – Expulsion of the Placenta

Stage 1 - Labor Uterine muscles contract rhythmically Increase in strength until foal is born Increasing contractions force the allantois in the cervical canal & cause it to rupture Releasing 2 – 5 gal of water Stage 1 is complete Varies from a few minutes to 5 hours

Stage 2 – Expulsion of Fetus After the rupture of the allantois, contractions continue Mare will lay down, roll, and get up several times This allows the fetus to get in the proper position 2 front feet appear w/the nose resting between the knees Mare may show difficulty as the hips pass through Once delivered clear any membranes from nostrils Stage 2 is complete Time frame : 10 – 30 minutes

Stage 3 – Expulsion of the Placenta The foal with rise and break the umbilical cord Treat with iodine solution Tie afterbirth to prevent mare from stepping on it and tearing it Placenta should be expelled within 30 minutes If longer than 4 hours, contact a vet Retained placenta can cause health complications Check the placenta for any holes Should weigh around 13 – 14 pounds Stage 3 complete

Postnatal Foal Care Examine foal Naval cord should be dipped in a 10% iodine solution to prevent bacterial invasion Give tetanus antitoxin injection Provide protection for 2 – 3 weeks Foals should nurse w/30 mins – 2 hours Will receive the colostrum Antibodies are absorbed into the digestive tract for up to 36 hours Meconium should be passed within 12 hours If not foal should be give an enema

Postnatal Mare Care Few mares have complications Some may exhibit signs of colic A mild sedative may help

Review The mare should be given what booster 30 days prior to foaling? Tetanus What type of bedding should be used in a foaling stall? Dust – free straw What contains antibodies that are important for the foal to get within 30 minutes post-foaling? Colostrum The foal should produced what within 12 hours of birth? Meconium What are the 3 stages of parturition? Labor, Expulsion of the fetus, Expulsion of the Placenta

Poster Bring poster supplies tomorrow! Develop a poster on the normal stages of parturition and post-foaling care for the mare and foal Poster will be due Friday, February 12