Bullumwaal Park Foaling Education Page

Bullumwaal Park Foaling Education Page Bullumwaal Park routinely gets requests to take mares for foaling down or for support via realtime video during the foaling process.

At times this is followed up with requests for how to work with youngsters. We have set up this page to support you.

07/11/2025

Bullumwaal Park

07/11/2025

Arrived at Bullumwaal Park

23/10/2025

🐴 🌟Educational Video on First Stage Labor🌟🐴
Read on for preparations that should be in place for stage 2 (birthing)
If you haven't already, now is the time to wrap your mares tail.
It is worth putting your vet on notice that foaling is imminent and have a support person available to assist you with any complications. It is always good to have someone who has done this before if you can.
Your foaling kit needs to be easily accessible and will include:
Good portable lighting
Towels
Sterile scissors
Latex gloves (multiple pairs)
Dilute iodine solution and dipping container
Foal resuscitation equipment
A cord clamp
Liquid soap and warm water
A milking unit
Bottle with appropriate teat
Gauze

22/10/2025

🐴 🌟 Stage 2 Labour: Shes pushing! 🌟🐴

Once foaling starts we expect the baby to deliver within 20 mins. Your mare may lay down and push, role onto her side and get up to walk around even as the foal is presenting.
Her waters may break or this may have occurred without your seeing it. Often the first thing we see is a bulging white fluid filled membrane bulging out from between her v***a.
If you see a red fleshy protrusion you have a ‘red bag’ emergency 🚨 the foal must be pulled out immediately emergency 🚨 (Please see our post on managing this prior to your foaling date so you are prepared in the unlikely event you are faced with it)

The white membrane may stay intact, as in this video, or rupture with the expulsion of the foal. Either way is ok! We now look for presentation of the first hock followed by a second hock within 3 -4 mins. The hocks should face the ground. If they are facing upward the baby is breech and you need a vet. (Please see our video on managing breech presentation)

You can see in the video that the hocks or sole of the hooves of the foal are facing the ground.

The nose should present within a couple of minutes of the hocks. The shoulders are now at the narrowest aspect of the pelvic opening so advancing the head and shoulders can feel like it’s taking a while. Be patient and abound trying to intervene unless absolutely necessary. As the foal passes through this narrowing, the squeeze of the foals body it ‘awakening’ or stimulating his nervous system. It is a fundamental part of your foals preparation for the outside world!

The hocks should be clearly visible though a creamy thin membrane.

If you only see one hock you may have dystocia. (We will put up a detailed post about this.)
If you suspect dystocia, call for your vet immediately. Your foal is mal presented and may need help to release a foot or turn the foals head inside the uterus. In the absence of a vet attending you may need to feel inside for the other hock tucked up under the foals body. Between contractions the foal needs to be pushed back and the hoof pulled across the underside of the chest and extended toward you in the birth canal. This is far from ideal.

In this video we see good progression of foaling. The mare has lay down and is using her lateral weight to aid contractions. The foals nose is presenting and the placenta is still attached to the uterine lining thus providing blood supply and oxygen to the foal during birthing. The second may be a little stuck at the shoulder on the pelvic bone.
As the nose continues to progress then we see that second hock release with a bit of a ‘pop’. If it didn’t progress we would apply some firm traction during mums contractions to release it. I always let mum have a good go on her own first.

Once the head and shoulders are out, the hardest part is done and the rest should follow easily 😊

You can see me break the bag at this time. Not a stress if you don’t because the umbilical cord should still be doing its job.

Mum and bub can then rest for a good 15 mins or more. I usually have a cuppa at this time 😊

We now need to meet some important milestones in order to know that all is safe and well… Move onto the post regarding after-care and the rule of one, two, three.

*** RED BAG ***
If you see any thick red membranes the placenta has come away and oxygen/blood supply to the foal has ceased. You need to tear or cut open the membrane and pull the foal out firmly. Don’t wait for the mare to have contractions. Just apply firm pulling pressure via the hocks until the foal is out and rub vigorously with a towel to stimulate breathing. Wipe out the nose gently and continue stimulation.***

22/10/2025

🌟 How to Tell If Your Newborn Foal Has Suckled 🌟

Welcoming a newborn foal into the world is an exciting time, but sometimes it can be tricky to know if they're successfully latching on and feeding from their mother. This can be especially challenging if the mare is moving around in the paddock. Here are some tips to help you confirm that your foal is getting the nutrition it needs:
1. From the Right Angle: The best vantage point to check if your foal is suckling is from the opposite side of the mare. This allows you to clearly see the foal's head positioned towards the teats.
2. Shiny Teats: After your foal has a chance to nurse, take a look at the mare's teats. If they appear shiny and wet, it likely means the foal has been nursing successfully.
3. Use a Torch: To emphasize the sheen on the teats after suckling, shine a torch on them. This will highlight the glossy appearance that comes from the foal’s nursing. A shiny teat is an excellent indicator that your foal has been feeding well.
4. Duration of Suckling: In the video clips below, you can observe that a foal will typically position itself with its head angled towards the teat and remain in that position for at least 20 seconds. This sustained contact is crucial as it indicates the foal is actively feeding.
5. Switching Teats: Foals usually alternate between teats and will not stay on one for too long. If you shine a torch on the teats, you should notice both having a shiny appearance, confirming that the foal is moving back and forth between them in quick succession.

✨ Importance of Colostrum: It’s essential that suckling occurs within the first two hours of birth to ensure your foal receives colostrum, which is vital for building their immune system and protecting them from infections. The best colostrum is transferred in the first 6 to 8 hours after birth. If your foal has not suckled within this window, please contact your veterinarian or seek support to help your foal latch on.

Monitoring your foal's feeding can ensure they are getting the essential nutrients they need for healthy growth. If you’re ever in doubt, consulting with a vet is crucial. Happy foaling! 🐴❤️

Watch the accompanying videos to see these tips in action! 📹✨ park Bullumwaal Park

21/10/2025

🐴✨ Understanding the Rule of Threes in Newborn Foal and Mare Care ✨🐴

Caring for a newborn foal and mare requires attention and knowledge, particularly following the "Rule of Threes." This guideline outlines essential milestones that ensure both the mare and foal thrive during those critical first days. Here’s what you need to know:

1. First Three Hours Post-Birth

First Hour:
- Standing Up: Both the mare and foal should be on their feet. The foal's ability to stand quickly is vital for its health and mobility, allowing it to start bonding and nursing.

Second Hour:
- Suckling: The foal should have suckled within the first two hours. Nursing is crucial as the foal receives essential colostrum, packed with antibodies that provide immune protection.

Third Hour:
- Expulsion of the Placenta: By the third hour, the mare should have expelled the placenta. Retained placenta can pose serious health risks, so monitoring this is important.

2. Importance of Umbilical Cord Care
- Dipping the Cord: Immediately after birth, dip the stump of the foal's umbilical cord in Betadine (or another antiseptic solution). This practice helps prevent infections and supports healing as the cord dries up and falls off.

3. First Three Days
- Nutrition: Monitor that the foal is nursing every 1-2 hours during this time to ensure proper nutrition.
- Monitoring Health: Look for any signs of dehydration or illness, ensuring the foal is active and passing meconium (the first f***s).

4. First Three Weeks
- Veterinary Care: Schedule a veterinary check-up to ensure both mare and foal are healthy and up to date on vaccinations.
- Dietary Needs: Gradually introduce solid food for the foal while ensuring the mare has nutritious feed to support lactation.

🍼💖 Additional Tips:
- Keep a close watch on both the mare and foal's health.
- Provide a clean and safe environment.
- Ensure proper hydration for the mare, as her milk production relies on it.

Following the Rule of Threes can help ensure a smooth start for your newborn foal! 🐾 If you have any questions or need advice, feel free to ask in the comments below!

21/10/2025

First steps of a newborn foal as it tries to find its mother’s teat.
In order for the foal to get the colostrum it needs. It should suckle within the first two hours after birth. The best colostrum is available to the newborn in the first six to 8 hours of life. Without this essential colostrum, a newborn can become critically ill quickly.

21/10/2025

Post foaling care includes care of the mare... One of the most important things we can do is check that there is no placenta retained in the uterus after birth. If there is then the vet will be required to prevent infection in the uterus. The video below shows you how to lay the placenta out and check it. If you are at all unsure you should keep the placenta in a bag in the fridge to show the vet or take detailed video and photos of it for the vet to examine.

Post foaling care continued:24 hours after foaling it is highly recommended that you have your foals IgG test done by a ...
21/10/2025

Post foaling care continued:
24 hours after foaling it is highly recommended that you have your foals IgG test done by a vet. IgG is a blood test done at 24 hrs post foaling and determines if the foal has processed enough colosterum to support the falls immune system until adequate immunity develops.

If there is failure of passive transfer to the foal it is critical that veterinary intervention is sort as there is limited time to protect the fall from things like sepsis.
A foal  with failure of passive transfer has a very high chance of dying from infection unless plasma transfusion or another source of colostrum is given. Preferably during the first 48 hours. The fall fails to process colostrum after this time.
Foals must ingest and absorb the colostrum during a specific timeframe. Absorption is highest in the first 6-8 hours and significantly decreases after 12 hours, with minimal systemic uptake after 12-24 hours. The foal below failed IgG after being rejected by the mare. Her IgG was so low it was almost undetectable. 2 plasma transfusion gave her a second chance at life.

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Mount Taylor, VIC
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