Foal Care:

A healthy newborn foal is strong, responsive, and very active. A number of factors should be noted when you observe the newborn from a distance - the foal's attitude, willingness to nurse, awareness of surroundings, relationship with the mare, the ability to move around, and the respiratory pattern. Mares encourage their newborn foals to get up and nurse within the first hour after birth. We often refer to this "1-2-3 Rule" of the newborn foal: a healthy foal should stand within 1 hour, start nursing within 2 hours, and pass the meconium (first feces) within 3 hours after birth.

It is advisable to have a routine evaluation of a newborn foal by your veterinarian within 12-24 hours of birth. The examination will include careful observation and physical examination, assessment of maturity and a blood test for passive transfer of maternal immunity. If your foal does not stand or nurse within two hours after birth, you should consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.