Caring for Mares & Foals

Lesson 5: Dystocia: Foaling Problems

Delaying Delivery

It is best a veterinarian be summoned as soon as you determine you have a problem. Usually only large breeding farm personnel are experienced enough to handle serious foaling problems. It is best to call a veterinarian as soon as you think there may be a problem. Since it may take some time for the vet to respond, you should not delay calling. There is no place for a ‘wait and see’ attitude. That will surely leave you with poor chances of a live foal.

In most cases you can delay the mare’s labor until the vet arrives. Force the mare to her feet and begin walking her. If you allow her to remain lying down and pushing it can cause the foal to become locked in the birth canal in the wrong position, practically impossible to be born. Even if you need to use a whip-get her up! On occasion even this can ease the problem. Once she is up, the foal can actually slip back into the uterus and the foal can reposition itself. This is akin to a miracle and although it can happen, don’t plan on it and wait before calling the vet. He/she would rather be called and find the problem fixed, than called later with little or no hope of saving the foal.

Also, when the mare is up and walking she will lose less of that most important lubricant, the amniotic fluid. While the mare is up, gravity is working for you, keeping the birth process from progressing until help can arrive.

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