Transcript:

[0:00]

Hi everyone, thanks for tuning in to Mad Barn Academy. If this is your first time here, then welcome — we hope to earn your subscription today. I’m Dr. Fran Row, one of the veterinary nutritionists here at Mad Barn. It’s officially spring, which means we’re now in the thick of foaling season. Some of you might already have foals on the ground, but I’m sure many of you are still anxiously awaiting the arrival of your new foal on the farm. So I thought today we’d cover the signs of foaling in the mare to help you prepare.

[0:33]

Gestation, or pregnancy, in the mare generally lasts around 11 months. Most mares will foal between 335 and 350 days, but gestational length can vary greatly. There’s a lot of individual variation between mares, and factors like age, previous pregnancy history, and season can play a role. Interestingly, the gestational length in donkey jennies is quite different — on average it’s around 12 months, but it can range from 11 months to upwards of 14. This makes predicting and preparing for foaling in donkeys trickier, but the same principles still apply. It’s important to monitor the late-pregnant mare or jenny as she approaches her foaling date to ensure the health and survival of both mom and baby.

[1:25]

The vast majority of foalings go just fine without complications, but when complications do arise, it’s imperative to act quickly. If you know your mare’s breeding date, or your vet has estimated fetal age during a pregnancy check, you can calculate her anticipated foaling window. We have a handy calculator in our article Signs of Foaling in Mares (linked in the description) to help predict this window. For healthy mares with uncomplicated pregnancies, you can begin monitoring and preparing for foaling about two weeks out from the earliest predicted date. If your mare has had pregnancy complications, you’ll want to begin monitoring earlier in case of premature labor.

[2:39]

Let’s walk through some of the key signs of impending parturition (foaling) in the mare. The first is mammary gland changes. Most mares start showing udder development around four to six weeks before foaling. The udder will enlarge and feel firm until it begins filling with milk closer to the foaling date. Closer to foaling, mares may “wax up,” meaning a waxy plug appears at the teat openings.

[3:19]

Next is changes in milk composition. The mammary gland typically won’t produce milky secretions until the last week of pregnancy. Once milk can be expressed, you can monitor it for changes in calcium content or pH to help predict foaling. Calcium concentration rises dramatically in the days before foaling, and it’s one of the best predictors. Milk test kits like FoalWatch or Predict-A-Foal can be used on the farm, with 200 ppm calcium often indicating foaling within 24 hours.

[4:35]

Similarly, pH decreases in the days leading up to foaling. As milk turns to colostrum, it becomes more acidic. Using pH strips or pool test strips, a reading of 7.0 indicates about 80% of mares will foal within 24 hours. If pH drops to around 6.4, about 96% of mares foal within 24 hours.

[5:41]

Another sign is relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and hindquarter structures. Hormonal changes before foaling cause the perineum and vulva to lengthen, and ligaments around the tail head soften, feeling doughy. The tail becomes easier to lift, and you may notice a visual difference in hindquarter shape compared to a mare’s normal conformation.

[6:29]

Lastly, behavioral changes may occur. Mares may become restless, mildly colicky, paw, look at their belly, lie down, or display nesting behavior. They may flag their tail, lose interest in food, or isolate from other horses. Some mares only show these signs immediately before foaling, while others begin days earlier. Knowing your mare’s normal behavior helps you interpret these changes, especially when combined with other physical signs. If behavior changes are drastic or out of sync with her predicted window, contact your vet.

[8:05]

The best way to support your mare is to be prepared. As foaling approaches, ensure her environment is safe and free from hazards to both mare and foal. Move her to her foaling location several weeks in advance so she can acclimate and develop antibodies to local microbes, which will be passed to the foal via colostrum. Keep a fully stocked foaling kit on hand with supplies for emergencies, and have an emergency plan. Make sure anyone caring for your mare knows what to do, who to call, and in what order. Let your vet know she’s due soon so it’s on their radar.

[10:07]

Be aware of complications that require prompt veterinary attention. Before foaling, this includes abnormal udder development (too early, leaking milk, or no udder close to due date), signs of colic, or vulvar discharge. During foaling, two major emergencies are red bag delivery and dystocia. Red bag delivery occurs when the inner placental lining separates from the outer without breaking, putting the foal at risk of suffocation. Dystocia, or difficult birth, happens when the foal is not positioned correctly, preventing progress. After foaling, monitor both mare and foal. Issues like the foal not meeting developmental benchmarks, retained placenta, or mare rejecting the foal require immediate vet care.

[12:11]

We have more resources linked in the description, including articles and videos on gestation, foaling, dystocia, and post-foaling benchmarks. Thanks so much for listening, and don’t forget to like and subscribe. Until next time — bye.