silly

I've never seen a foal born, so can someone explain the sequence of what happens? Looks to me like SIlly is gettin close.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Barnmice Admin on February 13, 2010 at 10:29pm

Yes Cindy, Silly is getting very close and that's why the camera is exclusively on her right now. I haven''t seen a foal born either and am quite excited about watching it all happen!
I'm not sure of the sequence of events, but perhaps someone else here here can fill us both in. :)

Permalink Reply by Meredith Kramer on February 14, 2010 at 12:05am

I have been on the computer for a long time waiting! I haven't seen a foal born either. I set the laptop down on the counter waiting while i brushed my teeth and hair and got ready for bed! I don't want to miss anything. Also, could someone explain the "testing"?

Permalink Reply by Ellin McGinley Daum on February 14, 2010 at 9:27am

This is such fun! I'll try to explain briefly. The first phase of labor can last up to 24 hours in big horses, don't know about minis. Usually mare is restless, gets up and down, sweats, walks the stall although some just stand there not showing any signs. The next phase begins when the water breaks just like in women, but lots more volume! In a normal presentation the foal's one little foot peeks out from the vulva following by the second little hoof usually with the nose resting on top. As the mare pushes, the foal appears until it is completely delivered. At that point some mares, expecially maidens, might jump up in surprise. Others simply scoot closer to the foal and begin cleaning it. At some point within the first hour the umbilical cord separates at a point near the foal where the cord narrows. The foal will begin trying to rise because hunger is urging it to find the milk supply. Foals see only shadows for several days following birth so sometimes this search for the udder is quite amusing. Once the foal suckles usually it has its first bowel movement which is black and sticky and then lies down again for a little nap. At this point the mare should be in the process of passing the afterbirth which is quite large and heavy in full size horse. It must be examined with a critical eye to assure that all peices have been expelled. I could go on, but that's it in a nutshell.

Permalink Reply by Ellin McGinley Daum on February 14, 2010 at 9:30am

The testing is a drop of milk which reacts chemically to a treated strip. The result gives and indication of when foaling might occur. It is based on the amount of hormones in the milk.

Permalink Reply by Cindy Scribner on February 14, 2010 at 10:08am

Thaks Ellen! That helps a lot. Now if they would just go ahead and do it!

Permalink Reply by Ellin McGinley Daum on February 14, 2010 at 2:16pm

Horses are notorious for deciding exactly when they will foal. I believe that mares are the only mammal that can actually delay delivery for a period of time at will. I've spent hours sleeping in my SUV in the indoor arena outside of the foaling stall only to find that the mare finally foaled when I took a break to go to the bathroom. Talk about frustration! On the other hand I've been lucky to be there three times when the mare needed some help delivering her foal. Sometimes the foals hips get stuck on the bones of the pelvic ring and just a little turn of the shoulders helps them to slip through without injury or damage to the mare.

Permalink Reply by Ellen R. Schulmeister on February 14, 2010 at 8:15pm