How to Care For Your Pregnant Mare
by Jennifer Prince, An EquestrianMag Exclusive Article

After months of waiting, searching for a stallion and careful preparation your attempt to breed your mare is successful. So now what do you do? What is the next step and how can you ensure that your mare will experience a healthy pregnancy? Though there is no way to be sure complications won’t arise, important elements to a healthy pregnancy can be addressed, such as veterinary care, proper nutrition and appropriate exercise for your mare.

Maintaining your mare’s vaccination schedule becomes even more critical when she is in foal. Though vaccinations should not be given during the first 90 days of foal, a regular deworming schedule should be maintained thereafter. Deworming your mare will protect against parasites in both the mare and her foal. It is important to vaccinate your mare against common conditions in your area, and for the Equine rhinopnemonitis virus, which can cause complications while she is in foal. A routine booster can also be given to your mare up to four to six weeks prior to foaling. This booster causes the mare to produce antibodies that will later be passed to the foal through nursing. An owner should avoid giving their mare any medications that are not critical during the last 30 days of foal.

In addition to choosing a veterinarian who is knowledgeable in current veterinary medicine, you also want to be sure that he or she will be dedicated to the process. It is wise to allow the veterinarian to spend time with the horse and learn her unique characteristics. It is also important that your veterinarian be willing to be on call at all hours, and be well trained in case complications arise. It is advisable to have the veterinarian present at the time of foal in case special attention is needed. These factors need to be discussed before deciding on a veterinarian to tend to your mare while she is in foal.

Though it is always important to ensure your horse is receiving the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to maintain good health, this need is even greater when she is in foal. Just like it would be unhealthy for you to drink from an unsanitary water supply filled with dirt and other invaders, this is also the case for a horse. To avoid health problems, make sure your mare’s water supply is kept clean and fresh. Buckets and troughs should be thoroughly washed on a regular basis. A small amount of bleach can be used to wash the buckets and troughs as long as they are rinsed thoroughly afterwards.

Balanced nutrition should always be maintained when a mare is in foal. During the first two trimesters the mare’s normal diet does not have to change, though the third trimester requires a higher level of protein and vitamins. A mineral supplement can also be given at this time. It is also important to remember that hay and grain should be measured by weight and not volume. A healthy combination of grain, good quality grass hay, supplements and even a small amount of Alfalfa can provide a balanced diet for your mare. Because every horse is different, however, your veterinarian should be able to help you determine the specific nutritional requirements for your mare when she is in foal.

Regular exercise is suggested for your mare and can even help prevent physical problems from occurring. As long as rigorous activities, such as racing or jumping are avoided, the mare can be ridden through most of her pregnancy. During the first two trimesters the foal stays small in size so riding can be continued unless otherwise suggested by your veterinarian. Even though the foal grows rapidly during the third trimester, the mare still needs exercise to remain fit and to offset potential problems.

As the day approaches for your mare to give birth to her foal, preparations should be made to create a warm and healthy environment. Providing your mare with her own stall will help her stay relaxed, provide her with a place to rest, and give her a quiet place to bond with her foal. The preferred stall size for your mare is 14x14 feet, which should be lined with straw. Though it is important to ensure the mare has plenty of room to move around in her stall, it is even more important for the stall to be as sanitary as possible. Introducing your mare to the stall where she will foal ahead of time will also allow her to produce antibodies against any impurities in the environment. She will then be able to pass these antibodies on to her foal through nursing.

Contacting your veterinarian a few days before your mare is expected to foal is advisable. A few signs that your mare is ready to foal include enlarging of the udders with drops of colostrum (the first milk the foal receives), frequent urination, swelling of the vulva and sweating. Your veterinarian may advise you to wrap you mare’s tail and ensure her genital area is clean before foaling to prevent bacteria and infection. And of course, as soon as your mare begins to foal you should contact your veterinarian for assistance.

Foaling is an incredible experience that is worth careful consideration. Allowing your mare to breed requires a strong dedication to the process. By ensuring that you are able to provide your mare with the necessary elements for a healthy pregnancy, you can aid your mare in the foaling process and reduce the risk of complications. Providing your mare with an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals, exercise, good quality health care and a safe sanitary environment will make the process easier and more enjoyable for both you and your mare.

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