Q: What are the signs that a mare is about to give birth?
A: Not all mares will show all of the signs listed here. However, even seeing one or two of these suggests the foal is on his way!
Udder
The first change most owners will notice when a mare is about to give birth is that the udder will get bigger as it fills with milk, ready to feed her foal.
Usually, in the beginning, there will be some decrease in the size of the udder during the day when the mare moves around in the paddock, and then at night, the udder will fill again as the mare stands. However, when the foal is just about to arrive, the changing of the size will stop, as the udder is now so full of milk that exercise won’t make it smaller.
The teats of the udder will also show changes. They initially become shorter and wider, but as the birth gets closer, they get longer and may even start to drop milk. If the mare starts to drop milk before the foal has arrived, you should call your vet, as this first milk (colostrum) is very important for the foal!
Many mares will also ‘wax up’ close to foaling, which is the term given to the clotting of the colostrum at the end of the teat. This looks like white, waxy material on the teats. If this happens, it is a sign that birth is very close.
Birth canal
Approximately three weeks before the foal arrives, hollowness may appear on either side of the tail root (the very top of the tail) as the muscles and ligaments in the pelvic area relax around the birth canal.
Abdomen
As the foal grows in the uterus, the belly gets bigger. However, in the final stages of pregnancy, the mare’s belly can seem to shrink as the foal moves out of the lower abdomen and up into the birth canal, ready for delivery.
Behaviour
As the birth gets really close, the mare will become more restless and agitated, especially as she enters the first stage of labour. At this point, her temperature increases, and she may begin to sweat. She may also start to look colicky and walk in circles, swishing her tail, looking at her side and kicking at her belly. At this point, you should call the vet to let them know that the foal appears to be on the way!
