10/09/2026
MY 6-WEEK FOALING-DOWN CHECKLIST
6 WEEKS OUT
This is when I like to get organised rather than waiting until the mare looks ready to foal.
• Keep her feed consistent and make sure her late-pregnancy nutrition is balanced.
• Keep a good eye on her weight and condition.
• Check vaccinations and worming with the vet and make sure everything is up to date and applies to your local area.
• Make sure the foaling area is clean, safe and ready.
• Check cameras and foal alarms are working.
• Get my foaling kit together so everything is in one place.
4–3 WEEKS OUT
Start watching the mare more closely. Take pictures for comparisons.
I look for:
• Udder development
• Teat changes
• V***a changes
• Relaxation around the tail
• Belly dropping
• Changes in behaviour
• Any discharge or anything that doesn't look normal
Every mare is different, so I like to learn and document what each particular mare does rather than relying on a textbook timetable.
2 WEEKS OUT
My checks become more frequent.
I keep an eye on:
• Udder filling
• Waxing
• Milk leaking
• Restlessness
• Increased lying down/getting up
• Sweating
• Separating herself from the others
• Eating, drinking and passing manure normally
I have the foaling area completely ready by now.
LAST FEW DAYS
This is when the cameras and foal alarm really earn their keep!
I check her regularly and watch for:
• Restlessness
• Looking at her sides
• Frequent urination
• Tail lifting
• Sweating
• Getting up and down
• Wanting to be alone
• Udder becoming very full
Some mares give you every warning in the book — others keep you guessing right until the end!
WHEN SHE STARTS FOALING TAKE YOUR PHONE!!!
Once the water breaks, I want things to progress reasonably quickly.
I have a second set of hands on call as pulling a big foal is an easier 2 person job.
If anything looks abnormal or progress stops, call the vet straight away.
Especially with:
• Red bag
• Excessive bleeding
• No progress
• An unusual presentation
• Mare in significant distress
I don't want to spend precious time trying to work out a difficult foaling myself.
WHEN THE FOAL ARRIVES
I like to give them a moment, then check:
FOAL
✔ Breathing normally
✔ Bright and responsive
✔ Able to sit up
✔ Attempts to stand
✔ Finds the udder and sucks
✔ Passes urine
✔ Passes meconium
I like to give every foal an appropriate e***a early, as I feel it helps get the meconium moving. If the foal is repeatedly straining, uncomfortable or isn't passing meconium, this will generally impact it's desire to get on the suck.
COLOSTRUM
This is one thing I don't leave to chance.
I want to see the foal actually drinking, not just assume it has.
If I'm concerned about the mare's colostrum or the foal's intake, I'll get the vet involved and use an appropriate colostrum/IgG testing plan.
UMBILICAL
Once the cord has broken naturally:
• Check for bleeding
• Disinfect it
• Keep it clean and dry
• Keep checking it over the next few days
PLACENTA
I always keep the placenta until I'm happy it has passed completely.
If it isn't passed within the timeframe advised by my vet, I call them.
A retained placenta is something I don't muck around with.
FIRST 24 HOURS
I'm checking both mare and foal regularly.
Mare
✔ Bright and comfortable
✔ Eating and drinking
✔ Passing manure
✔ No excessive bleeding
✔ No signs of colic
✔ Placenta passed
Foal
✔ Bright
✔ Warm and comfortable
✔ Breathing normally
✔ Standing
✔ Sucking well
✔ Passing urine and meconium
✔ Staying with mum
And I trust my gut.
If something doesn't look right, I'd rather ring the vet and be told everything is fine than wait until there is a real problem.
MY FOALING KIT
My must-haves:
• Foal alarm
• Cameras
• Towels
• Gloves
• E***a
• Lubricant
• Umbilical disinfectant
• Thermometer
• Colostrum testing equipment
• Clean buckets
• Torch/headlamp
• Baling twine
• Scissors for a red-bag emergency
• Vet's number
• Emergency transport ready to leave at a moments notice.
The main thing is being organised before the mare decides it's time.
I want everything within arm's reach, the cameras working, the alarms charged and the vet number already in my phone.
That way, when she finally decides to produce my next little bundle of trouble, I can concentrate on her and the foal instead of looking for equipment!
