Safe Delivery Tips

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Most equine births are uneventful, but there are some steps you can take to make sure your mare's labor and delivery are safe and successful. The American Association of Equine Practitioners offers the following suggestions:

• Write down your veterinarian's phone number well in advance of the birth and keep it by all phones.
• Keep a watch or clock on hand so you can time each stage of labor. When you're worried or anxious, your perception of time becomes distorted. The watch will help you keep accurate track of the mare's progress during labor.
• Wrap the mare's tail with a clean wrap when you observe the first stage of labor. Be sure the wrap is not applied tightly or left on too long, as it can cut off circulation and permanently damage the tail.
• Wash the mare's vulva and hindquarters with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.
• Clean and disinfect the stall area as thoroughly as possible and provide adequate bedding.
• Consider using test strips that measure calcium in mammary secretions to help predict when the mare will foal. Sudden increases in calcium are associated with imminent foaling.
• If the mare is taking longer than 30 minutes to deliver her foal, call your veterinarian immediately.

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