The Foaling Process of the Percheron Mare

One to two weeks prior to delivery, the mare's hips will "drop". This occurs when the muscles in the mare's hindquarters relax and loosed in order to allow wasy passage of the foal. The mare's udder has been fillling with milk the past few weeks before delivery in order to feed her foal as soon as it is born. During this period, her udder and nipples will also harden. Within 24-48 hours before delivery, there …

…umbilical cord breaks away from the mother, apply iodine to the cord stump to prevent infection. The mare will lick and nuzzle the foal and encourage it to it's feet. The foal will find it's way along the mother's flank to the udder. The nursing action helps the mare's uterus to contract and aid in the delivery of the placenta. this is called "cleaning" The foal must take it's first dring of the essential colostrom.