Post-foaling warning signs put focus on mare and foal triage

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A new educational article from The Horse highlights 10 post-foaling emergencies that can unfold in the first hours after a mare gives birth, underscoring how quickly routine monitoring can turn into an urgent veterinary call. The piece flags complications in mares such as retained fetal membranes, hemorrhage, severe vaginal or uterine trauma, and signs of colic or shock, alongside neonatal concerns including failure to stand, nurse, or receive adequate colostrum. Those warnings align with equine reference guidance that most healthy foals should be sternal within 1 hour, stand within 1 to 2 hours, and nurse within 2 to 3 hours, while retained placenta is generally considered abnormal beyond about 3 hours postpartum. (thehorse.com)

Why it matters: For equine veterinarians and breeding teams, the article is a reminder that the postpartum window is one of the highest-risk periods for both mare and foal. Delays in recognizing dystocia-related injury, inadequate passive transfer, neonatal maladjustment, or postpartum metritis can narrow treatment options fast. Reference sources from Merck and AAEP emphasize that difficult labor is an emergency in mares, and that early postpartum exams, placental evaluation, and timely IgG testing can help catch problems before they become life-threatening. (merckvetmanual.com)

What to watch: Expect continued emphasis this foaling season on tighter postpartum monitoring protocols, especially around the “1-2-3” foal milestones, placental passage, and early veterinary assessment of both mare and foal. (merckvetmanual.com)