Newborn foals are particularly susceptible to the traumas of birth and so if something does go wrong their condition can deteriorate very rapidly. It is important that even subtle abnormalities are detected early on so that veterinary attention can be sought rapidly.
The normal newborn foal
As with most things there is a range of 'normality' but basically you should expect the following behaviour from a newborn foal
- The foal should be born front legs and head first, with its muzzle clear of the placenta so it can breath for the first time as soon as it is born.
It should be obvious from the movements of its nostrils and chest that it is breathing. - The foals eyes should be open and bright.
- The membranes of the foal's mouth will change quickly change from dark pink colour to light pink as normal breathing is established.
- Within a few minutes the foal will make attempts to rest on its brisket. The foal may make several attempts to stand before it is successful. It is important that the floor of the stable is well covered with bedding as injures to the skin can occur during this stage. Most normal foals will stand within 40 minutes to an hour of being born.
- Once standing, the foal will make attempts to teat seek and suck. Most foals are suckling from the mare by 2 hours after birth and a vet should be called if a foal is not suckling by 4 hours of age.
Over the next 12 - 24 hours the foal become increasingly interested in its surroundings and will be bonded closely to the mare.
The foal should appear bright and alert and will develop periods of play between periods of feeding and sleeping.
If all is well with the mare and foal there is no reason why, weather permitting, they should not be turned out together for short periods in a small paddock.
What might go wrong?
The birth process and the first few hours of life are a very complex time as the foal makes the transition to life in the outside world.
Some foals appear to be slow to adapt to their surroundings and to suck. This can be due to lack of oxygen to the brain during birth and can occur in apparently normal births.
Early veterinary attention is needed for these foals.
Foals can succumb to infection very quickly and become septicaemic and very ill. Again early veterinary attention is needed to safe these foals.
Abnormalities of the limbs may render the foal unable to stand properly and means it is unable to suck. These foals will quickly become very weak, so again early intervention is needed.
If you think your foal is not progressing as quickly as you think it should, or if your foal is not suckling, your vet should be called without delay!
What is the importance of colostrum?
The first milk produced by a mare is called colostrum. It is thick and yellowish in colour and is rich in antibodies and energy.
Foals are naturally born without any antibodies of their own and until they ingest colostrum they are incapable of fighting infection.
If the foal does not suck within the first 4 hours of life then the vet should be called, as the foal will need to be given colostrum either by bottle or stomach tube.
Where a mare as 'run milk' prior to foaling, the colostrum may be lost. You should speak to your vet before the foals birth, if the mare as lost any amount of milk prior to foaling.
Adequate colostrum must be received within the first 12 hours of life because after this time the antibodies are not absorbed and are just broken down by the foal's digestive system.
What should I do if something doesn't seem right?
If at any time you are worried that your foal is not progressing normally, you should call your vet without delay!
A newborn foal can deteriorate very rapidly and the sooner help is obtained the better the chances that your foal will survive and thrive.
Should the mare and foal be checked if they appear healthy?
If all is well we recommend that your mare and foal are examined by a vet when the foal is one day old. A full physical examination is performed on both mare and foal to check for any problems and the placenta is checked to make sure that it is complete. A blood sample is taken from the foal. This is sent off to test whether the foal has received enough antibodies from the colostrum.
You can also discuss any worries or concerns you have have.
Scarsdale Vets. Becky Lees BVSc Cert AVT (EM) MRCVS