Foal birth: what to do in the first hour

Preparation starts weeks earlier

A good foaling does not begin in the stable, but in the weeks before it. Make sure the foaling box — or foaling stall — is at least 16 m² and thoroughly cleaned. Lay down plenty of straw, at least 20–25 cm deep. Keep the temperature between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. Also check the mare's udder in the final week: if the teats start to drip or there is a waxy substance on them, birth is near. Prepare a foaling kit with clean towels, an iodine solution, a thermometer, and your vet's phone number. Record all your observations in the EquiSight horse profile so you can recognise patterns at the next foaling.

The three stages of labour

Labour proceeds in three stages, and knowing the timelines helps you quickly identify any deviations.

• Stage 1 – Preparatory stage: lasts 1 to 4 hours; the mare is restless, sweating, and repeatedly lies down and gets up.
• Stage 2 – Expulsion stage: after the waters break, the foal is normally delivered within 20 to 30 minutes. If it takes longer than 30 minutes, call your vet immediately.
• Stage 3 – Afterbirth: the placenta must be fully passed within 3 hours. Tie it up so the mare does not step on it, but never pull on it.
• Check presentation: a foal normally presents with two front hooves and the nose facing forward. One hoof or an abnormal position requires immediate veterinary assistance.
• Record times: note the exact time the waters break, the birth, and the passing of the afterbirth — useful for your EquiSight calendar and at future foalings.

The first minutes: breathing and membranes

As soon as the foal is born, check whether the amniotic sac is open. If the head is still covered, remove the membrane immediately with your hands. Make sure the airways are clear. A healthy foal begins breathing within 30 seconds and shows visible chest movements. Rub the foal dry with a clean towel if the mare does not start licking straight away — this stimulates circulation and strengthens the mother-foal bond. Allow the umbilical cord to break naturally when the mare stands up or the foal moves; never cut it. Disinfect the navel immediately afterwards with 0.5% iodine solution to prevent infection.

Standing, drinking, and the colostrum clock

Use these time limits as a rule of thumb for a smooth start.

• 15 to 30 minutes: the foal attempts to get up — falling and stumbling are normal.
• 1 to 2 hours: the foal stands steadily and seeks the udder.
• 2 hours: first colostrum intake, no later than within 3 hours for maximum antibody absorption.
• 6 hours: first bowel movement (meconium) should occur; if absent, consult your vet.
• 12 hours: if the foal has not drunk any colostrum after 12 hours, supplemental feeding or a blood test is required.

Colostrum: why every hour counts

Colostrum contains immunoglobulins that give the foal passive immunity for its first months of life. The intestinal wall of a newborn foal can only absorb these large proteins during the first 12 to 18 hours after birth — after that, the gut closes. The earlier the foal drinks, the more antibodies it absorbs. A foal needs a total of at least 1 to 2 litres of colostrum in those first 12 hours. If the mare produces insufficient colostrum or the foal cannot drink independently, you can use frozen donor colostrum (stored at -20°C) or administer a commercial colostrum substitute. Have an IgG blood test carried out after 24 hours to confirm that transfer was successful.

Warning signs you should never ignore

• Foal is not breathing within 60 seconds of birth.
• Expulsion stage lasts longer than 30 minutes after the waters break.
• Foal has not stood within 2 hours or has not drunk within 3 hours.
• Afterbirth has not been fully passed after 3 hours.
• Foal is limp, cold, or barely responsive to touch.
• Navel appears swollen or smells bad after disinfection.

Recording for the future

Create a profile for the foal in EquiSight immediately after foaling. Record the birth weight (on average 50–60 kg for a warmblood), the times of all three stages, colostrum intake, and any notable observations. Use EquiCoach to ask questions about how things are progressing or to plan follow-up actions, such as first vaccinations and the inspection. Set a reminder for the veterinary check on day 1 and day 7. A complete record from day one gives you a reliable foundation for every future health question.