The birth of a foal: signs of foaling and the first hours

After eleven months of pregnancy, the birth of a foal is a special moment for any stud. Foaling usually goes smoothly, but the first hours are decisive. Here is what to know and what to watch for.

The warning signs

In the final weeks, the mare shows several signs:

• the udder develops, often two to four weeks before term;
• the ligaments on either side of the tail relax;
• drops of dried milk, known as “waxing”, appear on the teats, often 24 to 48 hours beforehand;
• the mare becomes restless, lies down and gets up, and sweats.

Many mares foal at night, in peace and quiet: discreet monitoring, by camera or regular rounds, makes it possible to step in if needed without disturbing them.

Foaling

Once the waters break, delivery is quick: usually 20 to 30 minutes. The forelegs appear first, one slightly ahead of the other, followed by the nose. If labour does not progress or the presentation looks abnormal, call the vet straight away: with mares, every minute counts.

The 1-2-3 rule

Vets sum up the key milestones with a simple rule:

• 1 hour: the foal is standing;
• 2 hours: it is suckling;
• 3 hours: the mare has passed the placenta.

A delay at any of these steps is a reason to call the vet. Keep the placenta so the vet can check it is complete.

Colostrum comes first

A foal is born without antibodies: it receives them through colostrum, its mother’s first milk. Its ability to absorb them drops sharply within the first 12 to 24 hours. Make sure it suckles early and enough; a blood test lets the vet confirm that the transfer of immunity has worked.

First care

• disinfect the umbilical cord;
• check that the foal passes its meconium, its first droppings, within the first few hours;
• let the mare and foal bond in a clean, well-bedded stall;
• book a veterinary check within 24 hours.

Registering the birth

In Morocco, births are recorded in SOREC’s Faras application, the starting point for identifying the foal. Read what comes next in the foal’s first months, and meet our 2026 foals.