The Newborn Foal - fast Foaling Facts

Having a new foal on your farm can be very exciting, especially when things go to plan. This fact sheet includes some suggestions of things to look out for in your newborn foal to ensure it’s healthy.

STANDING                                                

Initially their long legs can appear to be a hindrance but after a few stumbles foals gain strength and coordination quite quickly. Foals should be able to stand unassisted within the first hour of life.

DRINKING

The newborn foal should drink within the first two hours of life. Foals may suckle 3-5 times per hour and consume 50-60mls at a time. Ideally foals should consume 2-3 litres of good quality colostrum within the first 12 hours of life (see Passive Transfer of Immunity).

Some maiden mares can initially be averse to the foal suckling. Simply restraining the mare with a halter and lead rope may be sufficient to get her to stand while the foal drinks, however some mares can require sedation to make this learning curve more pleasant.

THE UMBILICUS

Once the foal has found its feet and is confidently drinking, bathe the umbilical stump with dilute iodine a few times a day. The umbilical stump should dry within 3 days however if it continues to leak fluid or develops a smell, contact your vet.

PASSING MECONIUM

Meconium refers to the first sticky, dark pellets of manure that the foal passes soon after birth. Some straining is often necessary to pass this stool, however excessive non-productive straining warrants investigation by your vet in order to prevent serious impaction. Colt foals are more likely to have trouble with this task as they have a narrower pelvic structure. Failure to pass meconium can result in a listless foal that becomes disinterested in drinking so contact your vet if you are concerned.

PASSIVE TRANSFER IMMUNITY

Good quality colostrum contains antibodies that are absorbed through the foals gut in the first day of life. The ability of the gut to absorb antibodies is at its peak in the first 6-12 hours of life and rapidly declines to zero by 24 hours. The colostrum antibodies your foal absorbs establish its immune system- foals that have failure of passive transfer of immunity are much more susceptible to life threatening illness such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, encephalitis and joint ill.

Failure of passive transfer can occur because the foal has failed to drink enough colostrum, the mare has produced poor quality colostrum or the mare has leaked colostrum before foaling.

It is a good idea to assess the quality of a mares colostrum, which should be yellow and sticky. The level of antibody (IgG) absorbed by the foal can be measured with a simple blood test at 12-48 hours of age and is recommended in all foals.

In foals less than 12 hours of age, supplementary good quality colostrum can be fed/tubed to maximise antibody absorption. Foals over 24 hours of age with a low IgG level require a plasma transfusion to establish their immune system.

CONFORMATIONAL ABNORMALITIES

Many foals have minor limb deviations due to their position in the uterus, however if you identity severe limb abnormalities that prevent normal movement contact your vet.
Foals with tendon laxity will walk on their heels, or even pasterns/fetlocks and the hooves can tilt upwards with the toe off the ground. This condition will resolve as the foal strengthens but in the mean time it is recommended to restrict the mare and foal to a box or small yard to prevent further damage to the legs. Contracted tendons may affect one or multiple legs and result in the foal knuckling the foot so that it walks on tip toes. This can prevent the foal from drinking and ambulating so consult your vet about managing this condition.
 

Check your foal’s eyelashes and eyelids to ensure they are not rolled in (entropian) and irritating the eyeball. This can quickly create nasty ulcers of the cornea. They can be managed well if detected early.

Foals should not run milk from the nostrils after nursing. If you see this, it is possible the foal could have a cleft palate so contact your vet.

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