The birth of a new foal is a welcomed event, but the foal and mare are not out of the woods yet. This article explains 10 emergencies that happen in the hours after a mare foals and require immediate action. Quinn Gavaga, DVM, counsels against a wait-and-see approach when one of these red flags occurs. Acting quickly can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of these scary situations.
Source: The Horse, March 14, 2025. Link.
Know these red flags and act quickly . . . mares and foals can appear healthy at foaling but quickly go downhill if they develop complications in the post-foaling period.”
INSIGHTS: This article is a good resource to share with horse owners who have breeding mares. Many backyard, small herd owners may not be aware of the post-foaling risks.