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Records Important Part Of Foaling Management:

Last Modified: February 27, 1999

Good records can make the difference between sleepless nights of worry and knowledge that physical symptoms of a pregnant broodmare might be perfectly normal for that specific animal.

"Data for gestation length and amount of milk letdown prior to parturition can be especially useful," said Dave Freeman, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension equine specialist.

A side benefit to good record-keeping is to ensure parturition vaccinations were given, deworming programs are up to date and Caslick sutures are removed well in advance of the expected foaling date.

""When keeping records, make sure not to overlook any abnormal factors such as extremes in weather or changes in housing that might have influenced the timing of parturition," Freeman stated.

Usually, mares will develop a noticeable bag three to six weeks prior to foaling. Mares foaling for the first time may have less development.

"This is an important characteristic to be recorded, as lack of milk letdown prior to foaling is an early warning sign for the need for veterinary treatment," Freeman said. "This is especially true for mares with past performances as 'heavy milkers'."

Veterinarians have available several therapies that can assist in preventing milk letdown problems, as well as reversing milk letdown problems prior to foaling. Colostrum fills a mare's mammary glands about two to three days prior to foaling. Colostrum oozes from the teat in most mares, forming beads of wax-like material at each teat orifice.

"This waxing usually occurs six to 48 hours before foaling; however, it may not occur at all, or mares may 'wax up' well in advance of foaling," Freeman noted. "Records can help managers recognize what is normal for a specific broodmare in this regard, although there may be variability from year to year."

Generally, wax remains for a day and falls away. Thereafter, drips or streams of colostrum being discharged from teats may be observed.

Freeman said small amounts of streaming or dripping colostrum should not be considered a problem. However, some rare cases have been observed in mares that stream large amounts of colostrum prior to foaling.

"It's as important to check for evidence of immune transfer in foals from these mares as much as for foals from mares who produce little milk prior to foaling," Freeman said. "A horse manager who is unfamiliar with post-foaling checks should ask his or her veterinarian. These tests are routine on most commercial horse farms."

Another sound record-keeping device is the notation on if and when changes occur in the conformation of a mare's croup (the highest part of the rump). This is caused by ligaments in the area relaxing in preparation for foaling.

Managers also should make notations on a mare's behavior, which can provide signs of approaching parturition.

Behavioral symptoms associated with the first stage of labor include restlessness, frequent lying down for short periods of time, excessive sweating, and physical reactions to abdominal discomfort. Freeman said it is vital that horse managers be able to separate changes caused by alterations in the mare's environment from changes brought on by approaching foaling.

"One way horse breeders get around this problem is to move mares to foaling areas a couple of days prior to the expected foaling date, rather than waiting until the last possible moment," he added. "Records help the horse manager do this."

Additional information is available through all OSU Cooperative Extension county offices by asking for OSU Extension Facts No. 3974, "Reproductive Management of the Mare."

First-time horse breeders who have never seen the foaling process might want to view the following OSU videotapes: VT-186, "Reproductive Management of Mares," and VT-86, "The Events of Foaling." Arrangements to view these videotapes can be made through any OSU Cooperative Extension county office, generally listed in local directories under "County Government."

The above article has been provided courtesy of
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.