Mare/Foal Birth Checklist in Printable Format HERE

Pregnant Mare Checklist/Records  - Mare: _________________________  Foaling Date:  _____________

Mare’s Udder Filling (2 to 6 weeks prior to foaling) ___________________(date)

Mare’s Nipples Filling (4-10 days prior to foaling)_____________________(date)

Vulva/Pelvic Relaxing (up to 3 weeks prior to foaling) _________________(date)

Waxing/Milk Flow (2-4 days prior to foaling) ________________________(date)

Milk Test Strip:  ___________     _________     _________     ________     _________     ________     (day/results)

Morning Temperature _______                    ________     ________     _________     _________     _________     (day/results)

First Stage Labour:  _________________________________________________________________(time/comments)

(nervous, swishing tail, discomfort, laying down, sweating, urination = no more than 2-3 hours)

Second Stage Labour: _______________________________________________________________(time/comments)

(active labour, contractions increase, sweating, laying down, check fetal position, appearance of sack, foot, nose, foot, tie up placenta when mare is up = 5 – 60 minutes)

Third Stage Labour: ________________________________________________________________(time/comments)

(expulsion of placenta within 3 hours, longer than 3 hours – call vet)

Weight of Placenta:  ______  Placenta Intact?: ______  Comments:  ________________________________________

Foal Checklist/Records – Mare: _________________________  Birthdate:  __________ # Days Gestation ______

Length of Second Stage Labour:  _______________  Presentation/Position Concerns:  ______________________

Time umbilical broke:  ______Time Mare got up: ________Foal is Alert/Up on Sternum:_______Heartrate:  _______

Temperature:  __________   Dipped Umbilical:  __________ Alert: ___________  Attempts to Stand:  ____________ 

Nursing:  ___________ Veterinary Exam: ___________  IgG Test: ____________  Pass Meconium:  ___________

After Birth & Within the First 20 Minutes:  Moves from laying flat to sternum position, alert & looking about, suckling reflex, possibly moving towards the front of the mare, movement of front legs, reacts to light flash

Within First 2 Hours:  Standing, suckling reflex, stabilization of heart rate & respiratory normal values:

respiration less than 40 breaths/min., heart rate less than 80 beats/min, attachment to the mare, nursing

Within First 4 Hours:  Nursing, moving about the stall, following mare, bright & alert. 

(If not nursing within the first 4 hours, administer colostrums and call the veterinarian.)

Within the First 8 Hours:  Passing meconium (may be straining), moving about stall, standing up & laying down,

nursing, following mare, urinating

Foal Alert:  Watch for behavioural changes.  Foal should get stronger each day.  Be alert for unusual straining to defacate,  nursing too frequently, lethargic/depressed, not laying down easily or not resting enough, diarhea with lethargia/depression, jaundiced appearance to eyes and gums, swelling or lameness of limbs, swelling, discharge or pain of the naval stump.