ROUTINE healthcare (dental, farrier, worming, etc.) must not be underestimated with broodmares. This includes adequate nutrition, especially in the last third of the pregnancy. A mare being too fat is as bad as being too thin.

There should be a regular de-worming programme in place using faecal egg counts and strategic de-worming, to prevent resistance to wormers. Worm burdens can be serious and even fatal in foals.

Regular hoof care is important due to the increased weight on the mare’s feet, she will have 100kg extra to carry, 40-60kg of which is the foal. Inadequate attention to her feet can shorten the life of a broodmare and is an all-too-common oversight. Front shoes at the very least are recommended while she is carrying the extra weight.

Vaccinations

Vaccination for flu and tetanus should be given before the mare is due to foal, while EHV and rotavirus vaccines are also recommended. Although these are expensive, they are very worthwhile.

Clean stable

E-coli is the most common infection in new born foals, so a clean box is important. Provide a deep straw bed, not shavings or sawdust. Identify high-risk mares and provide the appropriate care, have a vet on call if needs be. High-risk mares include a previous abortion, dystocia, concurrent illness, placentitis, hydrops, laminitis. Have a foaling kit prepared and the number of the vet on call.

Consider if you need a colostrum supply. You might keep a frozen colostrum bank or have a pre-arrangement with another farm. A refractometer is useful to have, to test colostrum prior to suckling. Twenty-six or higher is gold standard, 22-26 is good, 18-22 is borderline and you might need to supplement it. You can assess the colostrum before the foal drinks and if the mare has a big bag and good quality colostrum then take about 300ml from one side and freeze it.

Hygiene is so important when foaling. Wash down the mare after foaling; it’s really proven to reduce infections in foals. Ensure the perineum and vagina are cleaned carefully before a vaginal examination. Clean the hindquarters thoroughly. The placenta also needs to be tied up out of the way.

During birth

During the birth, avoid routine use of assisted foaling. Where possible let the mare foal naturally. Observe for red bag and be ready to act, but mares don’t really need someone to pull the foal out. Stage two of foaling normally takes 20-40 minutes, so keep an eye on the time and check if it’s taking a bit longer and have a plan in place for intervention if necessary. Allow the foal enough time to gain consciousness along the birth canal.

When your foal is born, the time it usually takes a foal to stand is up to one hour and the time to first suckle is two hours. If needed, you may feed colostrum to a foal once it has a strong suck reflex but has not drunk from the mare. Delayed nursing creates a risk of sepsis, as the colostrum has not got in quick enough.

The gut wall is open in a new born foal and bacteria will pass across as easily as colostrum and antibodies, so hygiene is most important in the first 24 hours. The mare’s udder and hindquarters are the main source of infection.

Possible issues

Some problems that could occur in new born foals include neonatal maladjustment syndrome (NMS), also known as “dummy foal”, more commonly caused by abnormal transition of consciousness at birth, if the birth was too fast. The brain may recover following strong tactile stimulation by a vet, and this does work usually. However, hypoxic injury causing NMS won’t respond to a squeeze, and is a more serious condition requiring intensive care, with a guarded prognosis.

Sepsis can be difficult to differentiate from NMS and blood work is useful in differentiating. Early aggressive treatment is required. Risk factors include a dirty environment, placentitis and dystocia. Retained meconium (the first faeces) is more common in colts.

A ruptured bladder usually doesn’t present until about 72 hours after birth. If the foal hasn’t urinated, or only in small amounts, it can be an emergency, and is most common in colts.

Neonatal isoerythrolysis, or “jaundice”, presents in sleepiness, depression and exercise intolerance. The foal absorbs maternally derived antibodies to its own red blood cells from colostrum and neonatal isoerythrolysis is the incompatibility of the mare’s and foal’s blood type.

In mares where jaundice has happened before, withhold colostrum from the mare and give the foal colostrum from another source. After the foal’s intestine can no longer absorb antibodies, up to 48 hours after birth, and after the mare’s regular milk comes in, it’s safe for the foal to suckle.

Postpartum

Postpartum, observe the mare carefully for at least the first two days. Check her heart rate and hydration status. Examination of the vulva and vestibule should be carried out to make sure there is no damage.

The placenta should be passed within two hours and laid out to check that none has broken away and been retained (see page 74 for details on how to examine the placenta). Retained placenta is serious, get veterinary attention if it has not been passed within six hours.

Watch for metritis, caused by a traumatic birth, which typically presents two to four days after foaling. It’s usually caused by dirt getting in when foaling, so it’s important to wash the mare down and have a tail bandage on, and to use clean gloves.

Aggressive treatment of antibiotics, oxytocin and anti-inflammatories are required, with a guarded prognosis if laminitis occurs.

Postpartum haemorrhage is often fatal and is more common in older mares. The signs are trembling, sweating and in great pain. If the mare is bleeding into the abdomen she can go into shock and die within 20-30 minutes. Unfortunately not a lot can be done in these cases.