Finally, it's done. The mare has successfully completed her pregnancy of approximately 335 days. Her udder filled with milk two to four weeks ago and is now full and plump. The external signs are clear. The foal is ready to see the light of day.
Horse owners need to have all the equipment necessary for assisting with the birth at hand. Ideally, the mare should have moved into her foaling stall six weeks before the birth so that she feels comfortable there. A clean stall with thick bedding is a good place for the foaling. Most mares foal at night or in the early hours of the morning. This is when the stable is quietest and they feel safest.
What you should prepare:
In the first phase, the opening stage, contractions begin. The uterus contracts and the birth canal opens wide so that the foal can slide through. This phase can last up to an hour. During this time, the amniotic sac bursts and the amniotic fluid flows out of the vagina.
These are the signs that it is time:
This is when the foal is born. As the pushing contractions start, the foal is pushed forward through the birth canal. This phase shouldn't take longer than 30 minutes. The mare usually lies down to give birth. The strong contractions of the abdomen push the foal towards the vaginal opening, where it ideally emerges with its front hooves first. Often, one hoof lies over the other, followed by the legs, nose, head, neck, and shoulders, with the rest of the body sliding out behind. The foal, which is still covered by the amniotic sac, is freed from it by the mother during the birth process. However, if the foal's mouth and nose are still covered by the amniotic sac, assist the mare and foal briefly so that the foal can breathe. Afterwards, it is important to step back so that the natural process is not disturbed.
The umbilical cord usually breaks when the mother and foal stand up. Afterwards, it is advisable to disinfect the umbilical stump with an alcoholic solution. This process can be repeated several times during the first day.
The afterbirth is expelled by the mare about an hour later. However, it can sometimes take longer. It is important to keep the afterbirth in a bucket so that your vet can check it for any pathological changes and to ensure that it is complete.
Birth is a natural process. Most mares manage it without any problems. However, if you notice that the mare is struggling, her circulation is slowing down, or the birth is taking significantly longer than expected, be sure to seek help from your veterinarian. Complications during birth are rare, but when they do occur, they can be life-threatening for both the mare and the foal.
Even if everything went smoothly, it is advisable to have your vet check on the mother and foal soon after birth to confirm that everything is as it should be. You can make an appointment directly through petsXL.
Rabbit snuff is a chronic, recurrent infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by various bacterial pathogens. It can be fatal and, due to its high contagiousness, can lead to high losses in large rabbit populations.
Who hasn't dreamed of galloping along the water's edge on horseback? The wind in your hair, a hint of salt on your lips, and the feeling of flying. Okay, maybe that was a bit dramatic, but admit it: you'd love to go horseback riding on the beach..
You've probably experienced a dog wagging its tail at the door even though the person who was greeted minutes later was nowhere to be seen or heard. It's well known that dogs have better hearing than humans. But did you also know that your dog can block out certain sounds?
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Which horses get osteoarthritis? It very often affects older horses that have already covered many miles in their lifetime or those that have been actively involved in sport for some time. However, horses that have not had regular exercise appropriate to their species can also develop osteoarthritis. Basically, though, there is no general rule. It is also not easy to recognize osteoarthritis in its early stages. Sometimes, horse owners think that their horse is just experiencing a temporary period of overexertion when it has difficulty getting up from the straw. Or they believe that the cold winter is the reason why their horse is a little stiff-legged. After all, who likes to run around at minus 15 degrees Celsius? So where does osteoarthritis start and how can a horse owner best deal with it?
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Are you considering getting your dog a companion? Yes, exploring the neighborhood together or waiting for their owners together is much more enjoyable than being alone! Provided that the companions like each other. If not, the second dog project can also cause problems. It is therefore a good idea to think about it carefully beforehand.
This rightly feared condition is always an emergency. If suspicious symptoms are present, the affected dog should be taken to a veterinary clinic immediately, as it can quickly lead to death if left untreated. A twisted stomach can affect all dogs, but it is more common in medium to large breeds with deep chests.
What child doesn't dream of having their own pony? Many little horse fans beg for one for years. But our little ones don't really know what it means to get a pony and take on such a big responsibility. They just see themselves galloping carefree over hill and dale with their four-legged friend.
As a horse owner, you always want the best for your horse. The selection of muesli, treats, and supplementary feed is huge. But what is right for my horse? Does it really need everything that the horses next door are getting? Unfortunately, overfeeding with individual feed components can also lead to colic, metabolic disorders, laminitis, or other health problems.
Various types of tumors on the edges of the eyelids occur relatively frequently, especially in older dogs but also in cats. In dogs, 90% of these growths are benign, with malignant tumors that tend to metastasize (spread) occurring only in rare cases. In cats, these changes are significantly more likely to be malignant.
A horse is quite large, and the damage it can cause is considerable. In the event of an accident, the costs can easily run into several thousand dollars. A substantial sum may also be required if our horse falls ill or even needs surgery. Not to mention the financial worries if we lend our horse and it has an accident while being ridden. It is therefore very sensible and important to think about what would happen in the worst-case scenario. There are plenty of insurance policies available. Every horse owner and rider should find out exactly what is available and choose the right policy for their needs. Below is a list of some insurance policies and situations where they might be needed.
