These
photos follow a pure bred Arab mare all the way through
the delivery of her foal.
She
had bagged up ten days previously, and was three days
over her due date when she had waxed up and she had been
running milk since the previous day. She had been eating
hay right up until the time when her waters broke and
she lay down.
12.18 The mare’s waters broke as she went
to lie down and contractions began.
12.32 The delivery is progressing correctly with just one foot
presenting first.
12.36 The mare has stood up to reposition the foal, this can
happen several times.
12.38 Immediately after going down again, both forelegs are
presented correctly –
one in front of the other to allow the shoulders to pass through more easily.
12.40 The next contraction delivers the head.
12.41 Now the shoulders (the most difficult part of the foal
to deliver) are clear.
12.43 If the membrane is not broken it should
be gently cleared from around the
foal’s mouth and nostrils to allow him to breathe
(unattended foals have been
known to suffocate if bag is not broken).
12.50 The foal is safely delivered.
12.55 The foal struggles to sit up. Mother and baby are left
to rest for a while, during
this time the afterbirth was delivered cleanly and complete.
Photo
10 – 14.15 The foal is on it’s
feet.
Photo
11 – 14.23 The foal is trying to stand.
Photo
12 – 14.25 It is now able to stand but has trouble when trying to
move!
14.27 The foal now has more control of
it’s movement.
14.28 Foals are inquisitive and will suck everything they can
find.
14.30 The foal’s
instincts are to suck and search for milk. They are drawn
to darker
areas.
14.31 He keeps looking, getting steadier on his legs all the
time.
14.32 The foal has located the udder but
has to learn to reach under to drink.
14.35 The foal is sucking in the right area but without success.
14.40 Finally the foal has found the milk and is drinking,
the mare is settled and is
licking the foal, this not only dries him, but stimulates him and creates a
bond
between the two.
Ice
'N' Spice – four
days old. Outside with his mother.
Ice'n'Spice – four day’s
old. He has certainly found his feet now.
Chris James
christine.james@btconnect.com
www.cjames-arabians.co.uk
