Foaling my mare

Question
Hi,
My mare will be foaling at my farm for the first time next May. What are some common issues she might have and what what should I do for her? What should I expect to happen if everything goes normally?
Thank you

Answer
Dear Courtney

I recommend you read "Blessed Are the Broodmares".  It's a great book and will answer most of your questions. The majority of the time mares don't need our help.  Furnishing a safe clean place to foal and protection from the elements is usually sufficient  (Personally I prefer a grassy paddock in mild weather with good safe fences.  No barbed wire.  You didn't mention where you are.  Here in the mountains of northern New Mexico we can get snow storms in May.  If I have a mare due to foal in bad weather I stay more vigilant. I remember a racehorse in Idaho years ago who was named "20 Below" because he lost the tips of both ears when he was foaled in 20 below weather.  Other parts of the country have more temperate weather and May is plenty warm.

Most of the time you should quietly watch the foaling and leave your mare and foal to mother nature.  99 of the time there is nothing to do except marvel at the wonder of birth and dunk the foal's naval right after birth to prevent naval ill. I also handle my foals immediately and every day after birth  It makes training so much easier.

You do need to read the books so when you are watching, you know what is normal. Many years ago I saw a dead foal that had been born with an inexperienced and uneducated attendant watching.  The sac didn't break spontaneously as it normally does and remained over the foal's nose and mouth.  If the attendant had known that this sac normally breaks as the foal emerges and gently used her hands to tear a hole in it, the foal would have been fine.  Another time, a friend's mare foaled when she was away.  Healthy foal, no problem, but her handyman who witnessed the birth, took a sharp knife and severed the umbilical cord without clamping it. (Normally the cord will stretch and break on its own when the mare stands after birth. This way the stretching and tearing has the same effect as clamping and cutting.) He had heard something about cutting the cord and had no clue what he was doing.  If he had walked away instead of interfering the foal would have been fine.

I am not trying to frighten you.  You should know what is normal and trust that most of the time everything will be fine. Doing the wrong thing like the fellow with the jack knife is often more harmful that not being there.  Read the book, learn what is normal...and relax.  Look at photos in various books and read everything you can.  There are books already written about what you want to know. Start studying,then send me a picture next May ;> )

You have almost a year.  Read everything.

Lynne Curtis Gudes
"Common sense isn't."