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Foal management
Management of newborn foals (first seven days)
On this page:
- Normal clinical signs for a newborn
- Brief examination
- Feeding and drinking
- Immunity
- Preventing impaction
- Limb deformities
- Ruptured bladders
- Entropion (turned in eyelid)
During the equine influenza (EI) outbreak, it is important that horse handlers implement a policy of strict personal disinfection and hygiene when handling newborn foals.
Please contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your newborn foal's health.
These procedures are a guide for the routine management of foals. They are not an exhaustive list of neonatal medicine but rather a guide for the horse owner to assist them during the EI outbreak.
Newborn foals need to be monitored during their first week of life to ensure they have an optimal chance of survival. Foals are not 50 kg horses. Their condition can deteriorate quickly. Close monitoring in the first week is important. Keep them warm and in a clean and dry environment.
Foals are born after approximately 340 days gestation. This time can vary. Normal foals may be born 20 days sooner or later. Colt foals usually have a longer gestation (time in the mare) than fillies. Foals born in late winter or early spring can take up to 10 days longer than foals born in the middle of spring.
Some foals are born prematurely. Others are born fully developed but not fully aware (dysmature). Some may be born at the correct gestational length but succumb to infection and diseases such as diarrhoea or pneumonia and do not survive beyond the first three months of life. Signs of prematurity include small body size, fine body hair, laxity of limbs and a domed head.
| Mentation | Bright, alert, responsive |
|---|---|
| Rectal temp | 37.2 - 38.5 |
| Heart rate | 80 - 135 beats/min |
| Respiration rate | 20 - 40 breaths/min |
| Gum colour | Pink, moist, capillary refill < 1 sec |
| Time until stand | 30 min |
| Time until suckle | 120 min |
| Time until urinate | 8 hrs |
Brief examination
Handlers should briefly examine each foal by checking their eyes, teeth alignment, the roof of the mouth for a cleft palate (opening), palpation of ribs for evidence of fractures (9th and 10th rib commonly), umbilical hernia, leg angles and gait. Ensure that the foal is attaching to the udder when feeding under the mare and not missing the teat.
Feeding and drinking
Foals will spend a large part of their time feeding, especially within the first week of life. Foals will feed about seven times every hour. They drink 15-30% of their body weight each day i.e. 7.5-15 L in frequent small feeds.
Foals that don't drink regularly or frequently from the mare may be showing early signs of trouble. Look for udder distension in the mare or foals that sleep excessively.
Immunity
Foals receive all of their immunity from the mare through milk (colostrum). This immunity protects the foal from disease. Within 12 hours of birth, foals need 200-250 mL of good quality colostrum. Orphan foals can be given cows' colostrum, however this is not as ideal as that which mares produce.
A blood sample taken from the foal within 24 hours of birth can measure the transfer of this immunity. Low levels of IgG (immunity) means that the foal will need plasma intravenously. Antibiotics alone do not suppress diseases such as diarrhoea and pneumonia in foals with inadequate immune levels.
Umbilical cords need to be treated as soon as they rupture because the stump provides a good portal for bacteria to enter the blood stream. Ideally the umbilical stump is dipped in chlorhexidine or iodine preparation. Strong iodine mixtures can harm the skin of foals. Dip the umbilical cord every 6-8 hours for the first day.
Tetanus prophylaxis cover may be given with a TAT given under the skin on day one.
Preventing impaction
Enemas are given within the first four hours after foaling to avoid the foal getting gut pain from impaction of faeces. Signs of impacted meconium can include failure to drink, rolling, and sweating. Meconium retention is more of a problem in colt foals. Soapy water (300 mL warm water with Lux flakes) can be give via a 10 mL syringe rectally. Gentle digital manipulation with a gloved finger can assist to remove the faecal pellets. Avoid causing trauma to the anus.
Limb deformities
Limb deformities such as contracted tendons, angular limb deformities and joint laxity (floppy joints) are all problems which are also treated within the first week of the foal's life. Mild cases can improve with limited controlled exercise. Severe cases need to be restricted in a stall. Feet trimming and rasping during the first week may be needed to correct feet alignment.
Ruptured bladders
Ruptured bladders (more common in fillies than colts) can be caused during the trauma of birth or with lifting foals. Monitor urine output and signs of straining (especially without urine production) such as a round belly and depression.
Entropion (turned in eyelid)
Foals can also be born with a turned-in eyelid (entropion), which can lead to ulceration of the eye and permanent problems. Some cases improve as the foal gains weight with feeding but most need veterinary attention.
