Time line for a foaling mare:

1. Obtain vaccinations during pregnancy - usually rhinopneumonitis (herpes) vaccine at 5, 7, and 9 months.  Booster of eastern and western encephalomyelitis, tetanus, west nile virus, influenza and possibly potomac horse fever at 10 months of gestation.
2. Remove mare from fescue hay or pasture 30 to 45 days before her due date to avoid fescue toxicosis.
3. If the mare has a Caslick (vulvoplasty) of her vulva, remove it around 2 weeks before her due date.
4. Monitor udder formation, relaxation of the ligaments around the tail head, and relaxation (elongation) of the vulva.  These will become more prominent starting around 2 to 4 weeks prior to foaling and increasing up to foaling.  Maiden mares may not develop much of an udder until right near foaling.
5. Start measuring milk calcium once there is adequate secretion in the udder.
6. When foaling is imminent, place a tail wrap , wash the perineum, wash the udder and proximal hind legs in any area that the foal will suckle. Groom the mare to remove any dirt, loose hair and debris that may overly contaminate the newborn foal.
7. Prepare a large stall (preferably 12’ x 24’) with deep bedding. Straw is preferred over shavings, as shavings potentially may contaminate the reproductive tract more readily. The mare may be foaled out on grass in a level area if a stall is not available.
8. Have a foaling kit ready to assist in delivery.
9. Try not to disturb the mare during foaling unless medical intervention is necessary.

There are three stages to foaling (parturition): Stage I , Stage II and Stage III .

Have a foaling kit prepared prior to your mare's due date.

There are a number of issues to be concerned about near foaling.  These include such things as fescue toxicosis, dystocia (difficult birth), premature separation of the placenta (red bag), retained placenta, inadequate colostrum, and foal issues (septicemia, limb deformities, etc...).

Click on this link to watch a video of a mare foaling.  It may take a few seconds to a minute or more depending on your connection speed to stream this video.