Foal speed ahead: Caring for the newborn horse

bag signaling that the baby will arrive in 20 to 30 minutes. This timeframe is crucial as the equine placenta detaches very readily once that happens the foal will be without oxygen and thus cannot survive an extended labor. If you detect a problem at this stage you need to intervene very promptly says Delvescovo.
Stage three is the passage of the placenta which must happen within three hours otherwise it is diagnosed as a retained placenta which can cause a lot of problems.
Problems during labor
Foals should breathe at around 6080 breathsperminute and have a strong heartbeat. If not they require immediate resuscitation.
 

During foaling Delvescovo says a failure to progress from stage one to stage two is a problem as is a prolonged stage two over 20 minutes after the water breaks. If the foal is not emerging or no major contractions are occurring then its time to intervene.
Owners should also look out for malposition. Ideally a foals front legs emerge first followed by the head. Similarly owners should look out for the red bag the membranes surrounding the foal are usually white and transparent but if they appear red it signifies a premature rupture of the water bag and a loss of connection to the mares blood and oxygen supply. If an owner sees this they must open the bag and pull the foal out immediately to halt asphyxiation.
Postbirth

If the birth sac is still covering the foals head it should be removed within less than a minute of birth. Foals should breathe at around 6080 breathsperminute and have a strong heartbeat. If not they require immediate resuscitation. This involves clearing the airway of any mucus or substance sticking to their nostrils. As obligate intranasal breathers horses rely on their noses for air.
For foals that are not breathing properly owners should focus on ventilating as respiratory arrest precedes cardiac arrest in most large animals. If the veterinarian is there they will have an endotracheal tube that will enable ventilation. If you dont have that or your vet is not there there are other simple ways you can ventilate the foal she explains. Laying the foal down and extending its neck owners should breathe into one nostril while closing the other and closing
 

 the esophagus at the same time by putting the thumb on the left side of the foals neck behind the throat latch. This prevents air from entering the foals stomach. Owners should deliver 1020 breaths per minute either using their mouths or with a pump and mask delivery system that can be easily bought in advance.
After ventilation is going well owners can recheck the heart rate. If it is not above 60 beats per minute chest compressions may be added after about 30 minutes of ventilation. Placing the foal on a flat surface the person giving compressions should kneel parallel to the foals spine placing their hands on top of each other right behind the foals shoulder. The goal is to deliver 100 beats per minute following the rhythm