What is the foaling process?

Answer 1

The pregnant mare horse will probably lie down though it may stand.

The contractions will come. These can be painful.

If the horse has given birth before it will be easier, but if this is her first time it might prove to be harder.

She will start to push the foal out with the contractions. Eventually if all goes well she will give birth to a healthy foal.

If she is having noticeable trouble, CALL A VET. In fact, you should always have a vet on the scene once the mare starts pushing.

If you reach a hand in the mare's rear end and feel hooves, like, RIGHT THERE, than that's a breech birth. That is an emergency, always have a vet. If you feel the foal's head when you reach in, all is probably well.

Now, understand that the pregnant mare is probably in pain. Soothe her. Comfort her. Pet and stroke her. Be prepared for a long wait until the foal is born.

I repeat, always always always have a professional veterinarian on hand.

Answer 2

It is different for every mare up until the foal comes out.

First, the mare goes into labor. This may or may not be noticeable. Her vulva should contract as, of course, her contractions come. I'm not sure if horse contractions are like humans', which in the humans' case, the contractions come closer together as the baby gets closer to arriving.

Second, the mare may pace. Or simply lie down. The mare is still in labor at this point and will be until the foal is out. She will be uncomfortable, so will likely pace and lay down a lot to try to rid herself of the pain. But trust me, she likely knows what's going on.

Third, once she is finally down (lying down with all four legs outstretched), she will begin pushing. If you see the foal's front legs exiting the vagina, help the mare if she is struggling, by gently pulling the foal's legs out. Don't do it forcefully, you don't want to break those legs. This is the birthing part of foaling, and the mare may try to get up numerous times due to the pain.

Lastly, the foal is out (if it comes out successfully, which is front feet first). The mare will very likely just lay there for several minutes resting, and sniffing her newborn and possibly licking it. The licking will get the amniotic sac off the foal's head so it can breathe, if you haven't already done it. The placenta is still inside the mare, or it may be hanging out of her vagina. DO NOT pull it out, have a vet flush her or just wait until it comes out by itself. The mare will eat it, or you can dispose of it.

Make sure the foal is up on all four of its feet, nursing, and pooping correctly before letting it and its mother out of the stall or pasture.