The exact answer is going to depend on what area of the world the mare is in. In the United States, a mare should be current on the vaccines which the American Association of Equine Practioners considers to be "core vaccinations" during pregnancy: Eastern and Western Equine Encephalytis, West Nile Virus, Tetanus and Rabies. It is also recommended that they be vaccinated against Equine Herpes Virus at 3, 5, 7 and 9 months of gestation as this virus can cause abortions. Vaccination against Influenza, Strangles and other possible infectious disease may also be recommended based upon the risks to the specific mare. Boostering for these diseases is also recommended about 1 month prior to foaling to help ensure the highest level of maternal antibodies get transferred to the foal through the colostrum. For vaccination recommendations for each specific situation, horse owners should contact their veterinarian prior to breeding their mare as there may be increased risk of contracting infectious disease during the actual breeding.
Usually they would not be near the foal, so no.
A foal gets his immunity from the first milk from the mare called colostrum. As long as the mare is healthy and current on her vaccinations the foal is good to go for about six months. At this point it is good to consult your vet to see what he recommends but this is about the time (give or take) to start his life-long series of vaccinations.
A mare should be 3-4 to have a foal.
If your mare had a foal it should be at her side unless it was dead at birth and then it should be laying in the corral/pasture. Either way you will know
A mare that has a foal is called a broodmare.
Ewe is to lamb as mare is to foal.
two
The maximum time it should take a mare to foal once she's began major contractions is 30 minutes. Any longer and the foal could be in serious trouble. Usually it should only take 10 minutes for the mare to foal on her own.
It is never too late to check a mare in foal, until after the mare has foaled.
A mare should have all of her regular vaccinations and possibly a booster in her 9th month.
The mare should begin producing milk shortly before the foal is born. A foal generally stands within an hour or so after birth, and the mare should already have plenty of milk for him.
In most cases, the father of a foal does not play a role in raising or caring for the foal. The responsibility of caring for and raising the foal falls mainly on the mother (mare). The stallion typically continues with his normal activities within the herd or separately.