Mare and Foal Bonding
An EquestrianMag Exclusive Article

The bond between a mare and foal begins long before the foal is born. After birth the essential relationship between mare and foal is built, allowing the mare to nurture, teach and protect her foal until it is ready to care for itself. Making sure this bond forms, being aware of normal versus abnormal behavior and knowing how to properly care for your new foal will help create a strong and healthy adult horse.

A mare normally gives birth to her foal either in the middle of the night or during early morning hours. Despite this inconvenient time for the owner, it is essential for you to be present at the time of birth to monitor progress in case assistance is needed. Ideally the mare should be allowed to give birth without any interference from the owner. It should happen as naturally as possible. It is important to not be too jumpy or anxious with the birthing process by wanting to help. Interfering could do more damage than good despite your intensions.

It is also advisable to have your mare’s veterinarian present at the time of birth in case complications develop, especially if you are inexperienced in foaling. Never hesitate to call your veterinarian if you have questions or concerns about your mare or foal. Your veterinarian is probably your best source of information and can help guide you through the process. It is better to take extra precautions than not be prepared in the event that medical attention is needed.

Several things will occur during the birthing process and afterwards. Some important immediate concerns for you as an owner will be:

• making sure the birth sack (amnion) is broken and the foal is breathing,
• treating the umbilical stump (which should be broken by either mare or foal) with a solution containing iodine to prevent infection,
• making sure the mare delivers the afterbirth and that it is in one piece, and
• making sure the foal receives colostrum within two hours of birth.

The foal will normally try to stand within one hour of birth and typically attempts to nurse shortly after. Monitoring the mare and foal for 48 to 72 hours after birth is necessary to make sure both seem to be functioning properly and that no infections have developed. It is normal for the mare to rest for a while (usually fifteen to twenty minutes) after birth. Once she feels fit she will typically stand up and begin aggressively cleaning her foal. This is where the bond between mare and foal begins to develop.

The foal relies on its mother for food, protection and to learn the skills necessary to become a strong and healthy adult horse. Nursing is one way for a bond to develop between mare and foal. Shortly after the foal stands it will approach its mother and begin exploring her body in search of the udder. The foal may explore the mare’s body in great detail before finding the udder and beginning to nurse. This exploration is normal and is a critical part of developing a bond with the mare.

Every once and a while a mare will reject her foal’s attempts to nurse. This rejection could have a negative impact on the foal. Nursing not only provides the foal with the nourishment it needs to sustain itself, but the very first milk the foal receives, the colostrum, contains antibodies necessary to protect the foal from illness while its own immune system strengthens. A mare that does not willingly allow her foal to nurse is not only refusing to develop a bond with the foal, but is also denying the foal of this protection. Not allowing her foal to nurse is one instance where the owner may need to interfere.

The bond a mare develops with her foal can instinctively make her very protective. For this reason it is important that you approach the foal with great care and only when necessary when it is first born. The mare may also keep her foal close by her side for several days before introducing it to other horses. Even after she introduces the foal socially she may remain protective and watchful, staying close by or calling it away from the herd until it is fully ready to develop a social relationship with the other horses.

When the time is right the mare will teach the foal necessary life skills. Understanding the dynamics of social interaction with other horses, accepting human contact, learning where to find food and water, and how to recognize danger are just a few of the lessons your mare will teach its foal. Without this guidance these skills may take longer to develop. For this reason it is critical for the owner to be able to recognize signs of rejection and be able to handle this type of situation should it occur.

One way for the owner to help promote the bond between mare and foal is to monitor them from a distance once the foal has been born. As soon as you have made sure that the foal is breathing and that everything looks ok it is a good idea to leave the stall. Do not attempt to cut the umbilical cord, help the foal to its feet, wash the foal or direct it to the udder unless it is absolutely necessary. These events will normally happen on their own and are actually important in the mare-foal bonding process. Monitoring the mare and foal from a distance and allowing them to have privacy will prevent distractions and help them bond.

Even though a horse will normally be able to deliver her foal and develop a bond without complications, there will be times when assistance is needed. This is why it is important for the owner to take an active role in every aspect of the reproductive process, from prenatal care, to breeding and pregnancy, to delivery. Having a good understanding of equine reproduction and being able to spot warning signs is not only part of being a responsible horse owner, but also reduces the risks that may be involved in breeding.

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this article should not replace the advice of, diagnosis or need for, a trained veterinarian.

Reader Comments

Submit your comments

Link to this article

----------------------   It's easy! Just copy code below and paste into your webpage     --------------------

<a href="http://www.equestrianmag.com/article/mare-foal-bonding.html">Mare and Foal Bonding</a> ~ EquestrianMag.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your link will appear like this:
Mare and Foal Bonding ~ EquestrianMag.com