Within the first 24 hours foals are particularly vulnerable. We often see cases where one thing being missed leads to another issue arising, so it’s important to catch things early on where possible.

Post foaling: when a foal is born their head should be clear of the birth sac and their nose cleared. If the foal is not breathing, sit them up and rub both sides of the chest vigorously. Delay in breathing can cause a lack of oxygen to vital organs and a vet should be called immediately.

Milestones in the first 24 hours: sit up within one to two minutes, stand within one to two hours, nurse within two to three hours; pass meconium (first faeces) and urinate within the first 12 hours.

If there is a significant delay in any of these events it may be a sign of some underlying issues.

The mare: even placid mares can become foal-proud and their behaviour may become unpredictable. Be very mindful of your safety when working with the foal. It’s also important to watch the mare closely for signs of pain after foaling.

Colostrum: foals rely on antibodies from the mare’s colostrum to protect against infection in the first weeks of life. These antibodies can only be absorbed in the first 24 hours, with most absorbed in the first six to eight hours, so the sooner your foal drinks from the mare, the better.

Vets can test the foal’s antibody level with an immunoglobulin G (IgG) blood test at 24 hours. This helps identify foals with failure of passive transfer (FPT) which are at increased risk of infection.

Common problems

Weak foals: these foals are often slow to stand and may need help to nurse. They are at high risk of FPT, dehydration and other issues. These are often called ‘dummy foals’ and require intensive management.

A vet should be called to stomach-tube the foal with colostrum. These foals often have underlying infections or limb deformities which make standing and moving around difficult. Your vet will be able to assess these and make a plan for treatment.

Milk nose: foals which run milk from the nose while nursing often do so due to weakness, however it can also be a sign of a deformity. They often inhale milk and make rattling noises when breathing. This can lead to pneumonia which can have serious consequences, so we strongly recommend seeking veterinary advice.

Navel issues: the navel is essentially an open wound for the first few days of life. It’s essential to keep it clean and it should be treated with a naval dip shortly after foaling.

While it is normal to see some blood staining around the navel, a fast drip or constant stream of blood can lead to significant blood loss. Another abnormality that may be seen is urine dripping from the navel. If you see this, or any abnormal discharge, you should seek veterinary advice.

Colic: colic signs seen in foals include straining, tail ‘flagging’, restlessness and lying upside down. The most common cause within 24-48 hours of birth is meconium impaction. This is where the foal fails to pass the ‘first faeces’, leading to constipation.

To prevent this we give an enema to the foal shortly after birth, usually dispensing half a bottle into the rectum initially and keeping the second half to hand.

Other causes of colic in young foals include diarrhoea and ruptured bladder. In any case of colic, a vet should be called immediately.

Diarrhoea: following the meconium, the foal’s faeces should be soft and ‘pasty’, and usually a light brown colour. In cases of diarrhoea, the faeces becomes more watery and the foal is at high risk of becoming dehydrated. A vet should be called to treat the affected foal and to assess the risk to other foals.

Rib fractures: these can often be felt along the chest and may sometimes be visible. These foals need to be handled extremely carefully to prevent damage to the underlying lungs and heart, and we advise keeping them restricted.

Going ‘off suck’: if a foal stops nursing it’s usually a sign of illness and a vet should be called. You may also notice the mare’s udder looks full. It may become hot and swollen as it’s not being emptied by the foal.

In summary, there are many issues that can arise in the first few days of a foal’s life. The vital key is to identify abnormal signs early to prevent knock-on effects, helping to prevent more serious illness.

If your foal is not reaching the first key milestones, call your vet immediately.