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What to do first
Give the mare and foal room to bond while staying close enough to observe them. Avoid unnecessary handling or interruption, but do not leave them unmonitored: a newborn can become critically ill quickly, and early veterinary help matters when a foal is weak or unable to nurse. Your first job is to observe and note progress, not to force a schedule or attempt procedures on your own.
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Use a calm sequence: check the foal’s breathing and responsiveness, watch its progress toward standing and nursing, note whether the mare passes the placenta, and keep the space clean and dry. If either animal seems abnormal, call the equine veterinarian promptly rather than waiting for a milestone to pass. The times below describe what commonly happens; they are not a reason to delay help for a weak or deteriorating foal.
- Check the foal’s breathing and responsiveness. Look for steady breathing and a responsive foal. Observe whether it can move into a chest-down position (sternal recumbency), then stand and seek the udder. If it is weak or unresponsive, contact the veterinarian promptly.
- Watch for nursing and colostrum intake. The foal depends on colostrum for maternal antibodies. Merck Veterinary Manual owner guidance says it should preferably receive colostrum within the first 30 to 90 minutes. If the foal cannot nurse, call the veterinarian rather than attempting to feed it by tube or choosing a supplement or amount yourself.
- Watch the mare for the placenta. The fetal membranes normally pass within about three hours. Do not pull them, even if they are hanging from the mare. Contact your veterinarian promptly if they have not passed by then, or if they appear incomplete.
- Keep the area clean and dry. Maintain safe, clean housing for the pair, and follow the attending veterinarian’s instructions for umbilical care.
- Arrange an early veterinary examination. Merck describes a complete physical examination at about 12 hours, including assessment of the foal’s serum IgG (an indicator used to assess passive immunity). A foal with risk factors or an abnormal course may need attention sooner.
When you observe the pair, avoid turning routine monitoring into repeated disturbance. You can keep track of the birth time and the foal’s progress while allowing the mare and foal to remain together. If you are unsure whether a behavior is normal, share what you have observed and when it happened with the veterinarian; do not substitute a guess for a call when the foal looks weak or abnormal.
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Normal early milestones—and when not to wait
Merck Veterinary Manual’s perinatal guidance reports that in 90% of foalings, the foal is usually sternal within one hour, stands within two hours, and nurses within three hours. Treat these as approximate checkpoints, not a guarantee that every healthy foal follows an identical schedule. A weak, unresponsive, or abnormal foal needs prompt veterinary assessment even before a milestone is missed.
| What to watch | Approximate guide | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Foal reaches a chest-down position | Usually within 1 hour, according to Merck | Observe quietly. Call promptly if the foal is weak or abnormal. |
| Foal stands | Usually within 2 hours, according to Merck | Do not wait for the full two hours if the foal seems weak or cannot progress. |
| Foal nurses | Usually within 3 hours, according to Merck | Colostrum is preferably received earlier—within the first 30 to 90 minutes, per Merck owner guidance. Call if nursing is delayed or unsuccessful. |
| Mare passes the placenta | Within about 3 hours; the AAEP monitor sheet says within three hours of delivery | Call the veterinarian if it remains. Never pull it. |
| Foal passes meconium | The AAEP monitor sheet lists passage within three hours of delivery | Record whether it passes and contact your veterinarian for advice if it does not. |
The timing references differ in purpose: the Merck owner guidance gives a preferred early window for colostrum, while the perinatal guide describes when healthy foals usually begin nursing. Do not interpret the later nursing milestone as permission to postpone help when a foal is not nursing, particularly if it is weak. Colostrum timing matters because foals are born without acquired maternal antibody protection and rely on it to receive antibodies.
Think of the milestones as a practical way to notice a problem, not as a checklist that must be completed without veterinary input. For example, a foal that is not yet standing but is weak or not progressing deserves a call before the two-hour mark. Likewise, a foal that has not nursed should not simply be left until the three-hour checkpoint if it cannot reach or suckle from the mare. Tell the veterinarian what the foal has done and when, rather than waiting to see whether it eventually catches up.
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Foals are born without acquired maternal antibody protection and rely on colostrum—the mare’s first milk—to receive it. The opportunity to absorb those antibodies declines with time, which is why early nursing and veterinary assessment of passive immunity matter. The immediate goal is not merely to see the foal near the udder, but to ensure it is able to nurse and receive colostrum.
Merck’s owner guidance says colostrum should preferably be received in the first 30 to 90 minutes after birth. Healthy foals may begin suckling within one to two hours, according to other Merck guidance, but a foal that cannot nurse should not be left to wait for a later milestone. Call the veterinarian promptly. Supplementation, tube feeding, plasma, and decisions about amounts are clinical matters; do not attempt them without veterinary direction. A veterinarian can advise what is appropriate for the individual foal and how urgently it needs assessment.
Merck reports that good-quality mare colostrum tends to have a specific gravity above 1.060. A reading is not proof that a foal has absorbed enough antibodies. A refractometer reading, if one is taken, needs veterinary interpretation; follow the veterinarian’s recommendation for testing the foal’s serum IgG. The foal’s serum IgG assessment is a measure used to evaluate passive immunity, which is why it is included in the early examination described by Merck.
A colostrum refractometer can be a preparation tool, not a substitute for veterinary care. The AAEP Foaling Monitor Sheet has a field for a Brix refractometer reading, and Merck discusses specific gravity as an indicator of colostrum quality. Neither reference endorses a particular device, and neither suggests that a reading alone guarantees adequate antibody transfer. If you have a reading, record it and discuss it with the veterinarian; do not use it to decide on your own that the foal does not need an examination or testing.
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Check the placenta without pulling it
The placenta, or fetal membranes, should normally pass within about three hours of delivery. The AAEP Foaling Monitor Sheet (February 2025) likewise says the mare should pass the placenta within three hours. If it has not passed, contact the veterinarian promptly: retained membranes can lead to serious complications, including sepsis and laminitis.
- Do not pull or tug on membranes. Leave them alone while you call the veterinarian. Even if they are visible or hanging, do not try to remove them manually.
- Note when they pass. If you are keeping a foaling record, write down the delivery and passage times. This makes it easier to report whether the expected window has passed.
- Check completeness only if you can do so safely. If the membranes look incomplete, or you are unsure, tell the veterinarian. Save them for evaluation if there is concern or the veterinarian requests it.
The timing threshold is a reason to contact the veterinarian, not a cue to wait longer or take matters into your own hands. The membranes should be assessed if they seem incomplete, and a retained placenta is not a home-care problem. When calling, explain whether they have passed, when delivery occurred, and whether you can tell if they appear complete.
Umbilical and housing care
Keep the foaling space clean and dry and follow the attending veterinarian’s directions for the umbilical stump. Merck describes dipping the umbilicus several times daily for two to three days with a dilute antiseptic; examples given are 0.5% chlorhexidine or 1% povidone-iodine. These are examples, not a substitute for veterinary instructions. Confirm the product, concentration, and schedule with the veterinarian rather than improvising or using a stronger solution.
Product choice and concentration matter: the guidance is for dilute antiseptic, not for using any product at any strength. If you do not know what your veterinarian wants used, ask before treating the stump. Keep the housing clean and dry, and follow the instructions you are given for how often to dip it and for how many days. Do not turn a suggested care step into a do-it-yourself treatment plan by guessing at concentration or substituting a product.
Keep the pair in a safe stall initially. Move them to a small turnout area when the foal is strong enough to follow the mare. The foal’s ability to keep up—not a fixed timetable—is the practical readiness check described in Merck’s guidance. If the foal is weak or not following, keep it in the safe space and call for advice rather than moving it because a certain amount of time has passed.
When to call the veterinarian
Call promptly if the foal is weak, fails to progress toward standing, cannot nurse, or behaves abnormally. Do not wait until the outer limit of a milestone if the foal appears unwell. Early colostrum absorption declines with time, and prompt assessment can determine whether the foal needs clinical help.
- The foal is weak, unresponsive, abnormal, or not standing or nursing as expected.
- The placenta has not passed by about three hours, or it appears incomplete. Do not pull it.
- The mare has severe colic signs or excessive bleeding. The AAEP Foaling Monitor Sheet advises calling the veterinarian for these signs.
- Either animal suddenly deteriorates or shows signs of illness.
- You are concerned about whether the foal received colostrum, or need guidance on feeding, umbilical care, or examination timing.
A call is warranted when you are concerned even if you are not sure exactly what is wrong. A newborn can appear normal and then become critically ill within hours, so an abrupt change in strength, nursing, behavior, or general condition should not be watched indefinitely at home. The practical distinction is between a vigorous foal that is making expected progress and one that is delayed, weak, or abnormal; the latter needs prompt veterinary assessment.
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When you call, report the time of delivery, the foal’s progress and nursing, whether the placenta has passed, and any concerning signs. Also mention whether the foal has passed meconium and whether you have any colostrum refractometer reading, if applicable. If possible, keep the mare and foal together in their safe space while following the veterinarian’s instructions. Do not begin feeding, medication, plasma, enemas, or other intervention on your own; those decisions and methods require veterinary direction.
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Plan for the first week
Arrange the early examination rather than relying only on a foal that appears vigorous. Merck describes a complete veterinary physical examination at about 12 hours, including serum IgG assessment; the veterinarian can advise whether the foal’s history or condition calls for an earlier check. A foal that had a difficult start, does not nurse well, or otherwise seems abnormal may need attention sooner than that approximate schedule.
Continue close observation of both mare and foal through the first week. A normal-looking newborn can become critically ill within hours, so a change in strength, nursing, behavior, or general condition warrants a call. The same applies to the mare if she has severe colic signs, excessive bleeding, or suddenly deteriorates. Routine observation is not a substitute for an examination or a reason to dismiss a new concern.
Keep a simple record of birth time, standing and first nursing, passage of meconium and placenta, and any veterinary instructions. The AAEP Foaling Monitor Sheet includes fields for foaling observations and a Brix refractometer reading; such measurements can support a veterinary discussion but do not replace assessment of the foal’s passive immunity. A clear record helps you answer practical questions when you call: when the foal was born, when it stood or nursed, whether the placenta passed, and what has changed.
When planning equipment ahead of foaling, a refractometer is an optional way to record a colostrum reading, not a guarantee that the foal has received enough antibodies. Do not treat veterinary supplies or clinical procedures as a routine do-it-yourself kit. Merck’s antiseptic examples still require veterinarian-directed product and concentration; enemas, plasma, and tube feeding are not routine shopping recommendations and should only be used under clinical direction.
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What should I do immediately after my mare gives birth?
Observe the mare and foal calmly without disrupting their bonding. Check that the foal is breathing and responsive, watch for progress toward lying chest-down, standing, and nursing, and note whether the placenta passes. Keep the space clean and dry. Call your veterinarian promptly for a weak, abnormal, or deteriorating foal, a retained or possibly incomplete placenta, severe colic signs, or excessive bleeding.
How soon should a foal nurse after birth?
Merck reports that most foals nurse within three hours, but its owner guidance says colostrum is preferably received within the first 30 to 90 minutes. These timings describe different things: a usual nursing milestone and a preferred early colostrum window. If the foal cannot nurse or appears weak, call promptly rather than waiting for the three-hour mark.
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How long can a mare retain the placenta?
The placenta normally passes within about three hours after delivery. If it has not passed by then, contact the veterinarian promptly. Do not pull it. Retained membranes can cause serious complications, including sepsis and laminitis; report if they appear incomplete and save them for evaluation if your veterinarian requests it.
When should I call the vet after foaling?
Call promptly if the foal is weak, unresponsive, not progressing toward standing, unable to nurse, or suddenly abnormal. Call if the placenta remains at about three hours or appears incomplete, and for severe colic signs or excessive bleeding in the mare. Arrange an early examination as well: Merck describes a complete physical examination at about 12 hours, including serum IgG assessment, with earlier attention for foals at risk or following an abnormal course.
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Should I dip the foal’s umbilicus?
Follow the attending veterinarian’s instructions for whether, how, and with what product to care for the umbilical stump. Merck describes dipping several times per day for two to three days with dilute antiseptic, giving 0.5% chlorhexidine or 1% povidone-iodine as examples. Confirm the product, concentration, and schedule with your veterinarian; do not improvise or use a stronger solution.
Can I use a refractometer to know whether the foal got enough antibodies?
No single colostrum reading establishes that the foal absorbed enough antibodies. Merck notes that good-quality mare colostrum tends to have a specific gravity above 1.060, and the AAEP monitor sheet includes a Brix reading field. A reading can be recorded for discussion, but a veterinarian should interpret it and advise on serum IgG testing to assess passive immunity.
Should I move the mare and foal out of the stall?
Keep them in a safe stall initially. Merck’s practical readiness guide is whether the foal is strong enough to follow the mare; move them to a small turnout area when it can keep up. If the foal is weak or cannot follow, do not move it on a fixed timetable—keep the pair safe and ask your veterinarian for advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after my mare gives birth?
Observe calmly without disrupting bonding. Check the foal’s breathing and responsiveness, watch its progress toward standing and nursing, and note whether the placenta passes. Keep the space clean and dry. Call promptly for weakness, abnormal behavior, deterioration, a retained or incomplete placenta, severe colic signs, or excessive bleeding.
How soon should a foal nurse after birth?
Merck reports that most foals nurse within three hours, while owner guidance says colostrum is preferably received within the first 30 to 90 minutes. If the foal cannot nurse or seems weak, call the veterinarian rather than waiting for the three-hour milestone.
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How long can a mare retain the placenta?
The placenta normally passes within about three hours. If it remains, call the veterinarian promptly and do not pull it. Retained membranes can cause serious complications, including sepsis and laminitis.
When should I call the vet after foaling?
Call promptly if the foal is weak, unresponsive, not progressing toward standing, unable to nurse, or suddenly abnormal; if the placenta remains at about three hours or seems incomplete; or if the mare has severe colic signs or excessive bleeding. Arrange an early examination; Merck describes one at about 12 hours, including serum IgG assessment.
Should I dip the foal’s umbilicus?
Follow the attending veterinarian’s instructions for product, concentration, and schedule. Merck describes dilute antiseptic several times daily for two to three days, with 0.5% chlorhexidine or 1% povidone-iodine as examples. Do not improvise or use a stronger solution.
Can a refractometer tell me whether the foal received enough antibodies?
No. Merck notes that good-quality mare colostrum tends to have specific gravity above 1.060, but a colostrum reading does not prove adequate antibody absorption. Record a reading for discussion if you take one and follow veterinary advice on serum IgG assessment.
When can I move the pair from the stall?
Keep them in a safe stall initially and move to a small turnout area when the foal is strong enough to follow the mare. If it is weak or cannot keep up, ask your veterinarian rather than moving them on a fixed timetable.
The Bottom Line
In the first hours after foaling, observe the foal’s breathing, strength, standing, and nursing; prioritize early colostrum; and confirm that the placenta passes within about three hours without pulling it. Keep the space clean and dry, follow veterinary directions for umbilical care, arrange an early examination with passive-immunity assessment, and monitor both animals closely through the first week. Call promptly whenever either animal is weak, abnormal, bleeding heavily, or deteriorating.
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