Foaling: How do I know if the mare is in trouble?

Question

I am renting out my pastures, and one of the horses is due to have a foal in May. While I have a lot of experience with horses, I have little on the breeding/foaling area. I did not know this mare was pregnant when we rented out our pastures, and I have found the owner to be neglectful and cheap when it comes to the horses care(I would have evicted , but I was more worried about what would happen if I wasn't watching over them). So I know that when the mare goes into labor, I will be the only one out there. I really need some help and advice on warning signs of troubled labor and also what are the signs of a good labor. I've been gaining her trust (grooming her, treats, and love) so she won't kick the hell out of me if anything happens, but I need to know what those signs are. When do I let nature take it's course, and when do I call a vet (I may have to eat the bill for a horse I don't own)?

I know this is a weird situation, so I could really use advice from a vet or breeder!

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Best possible scenario, you'll wake up and she will have foaled. Should you happen upon foaling the ideal situation is you want it to swan dive out. Meaning both front legs with it's head in between, if it looks unnormal, perhaps a back leg and tail or something sticking out and she's straining to no avail- consider calling a vet. Mother nature usually gives them everything they need but from time to time craps happens.
Be prepared to help get the sac off of the little one, and watch until it passes it's first bowel movement. Sometimes an enema speeds the process along, so have one handy just in case. One baby is up and nursing, you are for the most part in the clear.

The first nursing is essentials as it's mom's antibodies and good nutrients being passed along. Don't forget to up the mare's feed before and after delivery a little bit to help with the nutrients she needs for nursing and foal development. They have several available.

Also, look into shots and worming as I'm not 100% sure when mare and foal need them throughout the pregnancy.

Please feel free to email me with any questions!!

Answer 3

Good signs - You wake up and the mare and new foal are perfectly fine and the placenta is completely expelled from the mare. You catch her in labor and she foals within 45 min. after she starts pushing. You see the bag of fluid, then one front hoof, then the other front hoof, and then the nose and head resting on top of the legs.
Bad signs (call the vet) - You wake up and there is something obviously wrong with the mare and/or foal. You catch the mare in labor and she is having a lot of trouble pushing (over an hour). The foal is in the wrong position or coming out of the anus. The placenta doesn't fulling discharge.
Make sure to dip the umbilical cord in mild iodine as soon as possible. Make sure the foal stands within a few hours and nurses. Good luck.

Answer 4

Hi, You are really a good person and i want to let you know what you are trying to do for this mare and her unborn foal is the best thing i have heard for a very long time. Have you ever delivery puppies or kittens? If you have it about the same, if the baby is havening problems we wait for mama to have a contraction and pull gentle and help the baby out. You will know if the mare is in trouble, it's a sense we have and we just know what to do at times, and we know when to go a vet for help. Believe me you will no what to do. A Friend.

Clowmy

Answer 5

I wish I had some advice for you, but want to say thank you for caring about what happens to this horse and her foal. If she had a behavior problem I could probably help, but medical problems I am only as good as Google!

Good luck to you and to her!