1) Remember to vaccinate and deworm your mare 30-45 days prior to foaling date. You'll want to vaccinate for Sleeping Sickness, Tetanus Toxoid, Flu/Rhino, Rabies, Strep and West Nile Disease.
2) Remember to open any mare that has been sutured (had a Caslick operation) 2 to 4 weeks prior to foaling.
3) Double check your breeding dates and confirm the foaling dates. Normal gestation is 345 days within 10 days.
4) Make sure to remove pregnant mares from Fescue pastures 90 days prior to foaling. Beware even if you don't have Fescue in your pasture...your mare can reach over the fence. If you are unable to remove the mare from pasture, and 90 days before the due date your mare is without any udder development, she should be put on Domperidone.
5) Start watching your mare's udder for enlargement approximately 30 days prior to foaling. The mare's udder will fill from 3 days to 30 days prior to foaling. When the teats begin to fill and/or there is wax (honeycomb like substance) on the end of the teats then you are usually within 48-72 hours of foaling.
6) If you catch your mare in labor, it should not take more than 15-30 minutes until the foal is born. This is the normal foaling time. If labor is extended beyond 15-30 minutes, you need to call your veterinarian immediately.
7) If you are sending your mare off to be rebred, don't forget to get a current Coggins Test.
8) If you are having semen shipped, make sure your contracts are complete and the breeding facility has all the stud farm contact information.
Sapulpa Vet can foal out your mare in one of our foaling stalls complete with monitors. Contact our office by phone at (918) 224-6867
