As we come towards the end of winter it’s time to start thinking about the best thing about spring - foals!
Most pregnant mares at this time of year will be entering late gestation - the last 2-3 months of the mare’s pregnancy term and when most of the growth and development of the foetus occurs.
A normal gestational period is usually 11 months (330 days), however it can vary from 320-380 days. Most mares tend to have similar gestation lengths from year to year, so after a few foals you’ll begin to see what’s normal for them.
Diet: by the last month of pregnancy the mare’s calorie requirements will increase by about 20%. Both thin and overweight mares can run into difficulties, and it’s best to keep them at a body condition score of 5-6. Adjust your feeding plan if needed. Feeding a concentrate with high energy and protein concentrations is recommended but may not be necessary until the last trimester in good doers. As always provide plenty of high quality roughage and a balancer is key to provide adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Worming: we want mares to have low egg counts around foaling, as high egg counts can increase the burden on the young foals. To ensure this the best thing is to regularly run faecal egg counts on your mare in the lead up to foaling. As always, worming without a prior egg count increases the risk of wormer resistance and can also increase cost.
Teeth: a routine dental assessment should be performed before late gestation if possible to prevent issues with eating.
Quarantine: if possible keep pregnant mares away from new horses, particularly young horses or those out mixing at events.
Vaccinate: mares should be fully vaccinated for tetanus. We also recommend a course of Herpes vaccinations which involves 3 vaccines at 5, 7 and 9 months.
Aside from the usual signs of ill health there are a few extra things to look out for.
- Discharge from the vulva
- ‘Bagging up’ early ie increased size of the udder before the foal is due
- ‘Waxing up’ early ie secretion of a yellow, honey-like substance from the teats
These signs could all indicate placentitis, which can lead to birth of a sick foal or even loss of the foal, so we do recommend getting in touch if you notice any of these signs!