Enter your mare's estimated breeding date to begin the journey.
1st Month
Oct 17, 2018
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 0.15 mm – 1.9 cm (0.006 – 0.75 inch)
- Weight: negligible
- Size comparison: Pea
Notes: Although so small it’s hard to detect their weight, the tiny cells that become your foal are busy multiplying and organizing themselves this month.
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal is currently an embryo and is quite active compared to other species.
- The embryo enters your mare’s uterus around day 6 and moves around (moving between the uterine horns up to 10-20 times/day) to tell the mare she’s pregnant. The embryo stops moving & settles in place around day 15-17.
- Vets can usually confirm pregnancy by ultrasound around days 12-14 but may have to search to find the active embryo.
- Your foal’s basic bodily structures develop by day 23 and your vet can detect their heartbeat by day 24.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Early embryonic loss can happen from days 0–60 of gestation. Avoid risk factors like excessive stress & ask your vet before changing or adding anything to your mare’s routine.
- Make sure your vet rules out twin pregnancy.
- Do not let your mare graze on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- Do not use any cambendazole deworming products for the 1st trimester.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Consult your vet or an equine nutritionist to ensure your mare gets a balanced diet and to learn how her nutritional needs increase during pregnancy.
- Have your vet confirm pregnancy and rule out twins from days 14-17. Have your vet reconfirm pregnancy, rule out twins and check heart beat from days 26-30. Ask your vet before administering any vaccines or deworming products.
2nd Month
Nov 17, 2018
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 5 - 7.5 cm (2 – 2.9 inches)
- Weight: 3 - 5 g (0.1 - 0.2 oz)
- Size comparison: Caterpillar
Notes: Although still very small, your foal will be recognizable as the fetus of a horse by this month’s end.
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal is referred to as a fetus beginning on day 40.
- They start developing facial features like ears, eyelids and nostrils. The elbow and stifle joints will be identifiable.
- Your foal becomes active as a fetus, with head nods beginning at day 40 and limb movements beginning by day 46.
- Your foal’s heartbeat can be clearly detected by day 42, as a distinct and faster beat than your mare’s.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Early embryonic loss can happen from days 0–60 of gestation. Avoid risk factors like excessive stress & ask your vet before changing or adding anything to your mare’s routine.
- Make sure your vet rules out twin pregnancy.
- Do not let your mare graze on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- Do not use any cambendazole deworming products for the 1st trimester.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Consult your vet or an equine nutritionist to ensure your mare gets a balanced diet and to learn how her nutritional needs increase during pregnancy.
- Ask your vet before administering any vaccines or deworming products.
3rd Month
Dec 17, 2018
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 7.5 – 15 cm (2.9 – 5.9 inches)
- Weight: 60 - 120 g (2.1 - 4.2 oz)
- Size comparison: Chipmunk
Notes: Measuring the weight of the fetus may help determine the fetus’ age when the breeding date is unknown.
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal’s hooves start developing. The sole and frog will be evident.
- Your foal is very active, moving around in the allantoic sac and changing direction an average of 5 times/hour. Your foal displays neck arching and limb movements and is thought to be practicing the coordination they will need in the real world for nursing, chewing and moving.
- Your vet may be able to determine whether your foal is a filly or colt beginning at day 60.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Do not let your mare graze on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- An endophyte is a fungus that lives in certain types of plants, like tall fescue. Endophytes produce compounds called ergot alkaloids that can cause problems for broodmares, including prolonged gestation, difficulty foaling, and abortions.
- Do not use any cambendazole deworming products for the 1st trimester.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Consult your vet or an equine nutritionist to ensure your mare gets a balanced diet and to learn how her nutritional needs increase during pregnancy.
- Ask your vet before administering any vaccines or deworming products.
4th Month
Jan 17, 2019
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 12.5 -23 cm (4.9 - 9 inches)
- Weight: 0.9 – 1.3 kg (2 – 2.9 lbs)
- Size comparison: Kitten
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal is growing fine hair on their muzzle, lips, chin and eyelashes.
- Your foal starts growing larger, and so can not roam around as freely in the allantoic sac. The foal is still active, but the activity is more confined.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Do not let your mare graze on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- An endophyte is a fungus that can live in certain types of plants, like tall fescue. Endophytes produce compounds called ergot alkaloids that can cause problems for broodmares, including prolonged gestation, difficulty foaling, and abortions.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Consult your vet or an equine nutritionist to ensure your mare gets a diet that meets her increasing nutritional needs.
- Ask your vet before administering any vaccines or deworming products.
5th Month
Feb 17, 2019
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 20 - 35 cm (8 -14 inches)
- Weight: 3 - 5 kg (6.6 - 11 lbs)
- Size comparison: Rabbit
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal’s eyelashes can be clearly seen, and their mammary gland starts to enlarge.
- Your growing foal continues to have less space to move around inside the allantoic sac but remains active in-place.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Do not let your mare graze on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- An endophyte is a fungus that can live in plants. It infects certain types of plants, like tall fescue. The endophyte produces a compound that can cause problems for broodmares, including prolonged gestation, difficulty foaling, and abortions.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Your mare’s nutritional needs start to rapidly increase from this point on. Consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to make sure you meet her needs.
- Your vet may recommend certain vaccines, like the Equine Herpesvirus vaccine.
6th Month
Mar 17, 2019
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 35 – 64 cm (8 – 25 inches)
- Weight: 3 - 6 kg (6.6 – 13.2 lbs)
- Size comparison: Groundhog
Notes: Your foal’s liver is around 5% of their body weight this month.
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal starts to develop their mane and tail.
- Your foal’s mobility continues to decrease, and there is increasing likelihood that your foal has moved to the cranial position (head towards the cervix) from this point forward.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Do not let your mare graze on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- An endophyte is a fungus that can live in plants. It infects certain types of plants, like tall fescue. The endophyte produces a compound that can cause problems for broodmares, including prolonged gestation, difficulty foaling, and abortions.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Your mare’s nutritional needs continue to increase. Consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to make sure you meet her needs.
7th Month
Apr 17, 2019
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 35 – 70 cm (8 – 28 inches)
- Weight: 4 – 7.5 kg (8.8 - 16.5 lbs)
- Size comparison: Raccoon
Notes: Your foal’s growth rate will become very rapid in the next few months.
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal’s mane and tail are now evident.
- After moving to the cranial position (head towards the cervix), your foal’s hind limbs become encased by one of your mare’s uterine horns. The limbs begin to enter a horn around this month. This is another important feature of pregnancy in horses. It keeps your foal laying on their back and may also protect your foal’s umbilical cord from their weight and becoming tangled in their long limbs.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Avoid grazing on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- An endophyte is a fungus that can live in plants. It infects certain types of plants, like tall fescue. The endophyte produces a compound that can cause problems for broodmares, including prolonged gestation, difficulty foaling, and abortions.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Your mare’s nutritional needs continue to increase. Consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to make sure you meet her needs.
- Your vet may recommend certain vaccines, like the Equine Herpesvirus vaccine.
- Avoid strenuous exercise.
8th Month
May 17, 2019
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 50 – 70 cm (20 - 28 inches)
- Weight: 8.5 - 15 kg (18.7 – 33.1 lbs)
- Size comparison: Beagle
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal starts developing hair on their poll, ears, chin, muzzle and throat.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Do not let your mare graze on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- An endophyte is a fungus that can live in plants. It infects certain types of plants, like tall fescue. The endophyte produces a compound that can cause problems for broodmares, including prolonged gestation, difficulty foaling, and abortions.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Your mare’s nutritional needs continue to increase. Consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to make sure you meet her needs.
- Avoid strenuous exercise.
9th Month
Jun 17, 2019
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 60 - 90 cm (24 – 35 inches)
- Weight: 17 - 20 kg (37.4 - 44 lbs)
- Size comparison: Dalmatian
Notes: Your foal is growing very fast, gaining approximately 1 pound each day!
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal is developing fine hair on their whole body and longer mane and tail hair can be seen.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Do not let your mare graze on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- An endophyte is a fungus that can live in certain types of plants, like tall fescue. Endophytes produce compounds called ergot alkaloids that can cause problems for broodmares, including prolonged gestation, difficulty foaling, and abortions.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Your mare’s nutritional needs continue to increase. Consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to make sure you meet her needs.
- Your vet may recommend certain vaccines, like the Equine Herpesvirus vaccine.
- Avoid strenuous exercise.
10th Month
Jul 17, 2019
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 70 - 132 cm (28 - 52 inches)
- Weight: 25 - 45 kg (55 - 99 lbs)
- Size comparison: Newborn jersey calf
Notes: Your growing foal is depositing lots of minerals into their body tissues, which is one reason why it’s important to give your mare the right nutrition throughout pregnancy.
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal’s hind limb hooves usually have reached the uterine horn tip by this month. Since the hind limbs are encased in the horn, the horn will move with your foal as they move their hind limbs around.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Do not let your mare graze on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- Do not use rye straw bedding or allow access to rye straw stubble.
- Watch for signs of placentitis. Call your vet if you see vaginal discharge or early udder development.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Your mare’s nutritional needs continue to increase. Consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to make sure you meet her needs.
- Contact your vet about vaccinations that may be recommended before foaling.
- Avoid strenuous exercise.
11th Month
Aug 17, 2019
Growth
How big am I?
- Size: 76 - 147 cm (30 – 58 inches) long
- Weight: 30 - 60 kg (66 - 132 lbs)
- Size comparison: Foal
Notes: Think about all the growing your foal has done! For instance, their pasterns are already nearly their adult length. Soon, you will watch your foal grow in the outside world.
Milestones
What do I look like?
- Your foal may roll from their back to their side during the last month of pregnancy, and may extend their head and limbs, making it difficult for an exam to predict what position the foal will be in at foaling. The most common position from 8 months to the end of pregnancy is for your foal to be laying on their back, with their head and forelimbs flexed.
Risk Factors
What to be aware of
- Do not let your mare graze on endophyte-infected pastures (e.g. tall fescue).
- Do not use rye straw bedding or allow access to rye straw stubble.
- Do not use trichlorforon dewormer products.
Mare Management
Mommy care tips
- Monitor your mare’s vital signs. Click here for tips. Keep accessible records of these measurements. Commercial software is available to do this.
- Your mare’s nutritional needs continue to increase. Consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to make sure you meet her needs.
- Contact your vet about vaccinations that may be recommended before foaling.
- Avoid strenuous exercise.
Foaling Window (+/-10 Days)
Sep 17, 2019
The Foaling Window (FW)
- Many factors affect when your foal comes, including: age of mare, time of year, the health of foal, sex of foal, maternal linage, breed and the mare’s diet.
Prediction Tips
- These signs may give you an idea of when your foal will come:
- Your mare’s udder fills with milk 2-4 weeks before
- Her abdominal muscles relax, and her belly may ‘drop’ 2-3 weeks before
- Her croup muscles may appear more relaxed 7-10 days before
- Her teats may distend with milk 4-6 days before
- Wax may develop on her teats 1-2 days before
- Wax and/or milk may fall from her teats within 24 hours of foaling
- Testing your mare’s milk with commercial test kits may help predict foaling. These kits usually analyze the milk’s calcium & pH. Rises in calcium and drops in pH indicate foaling is near.
- Commercial prediction tools, which combine milk testing with other predictive indicators & can provide a more accurate estimate of the foaling window, are also available.
Foaling
- Your foal plays an active role in the delivery. First, they extend their head and front limbs. They then begin to rotate, moving from their back and into a diving position as they leave the mare. There are 3 stages of labour.
- Stage I: Your mare’s contractions will begin. She may sweat and pace around, lay down and get up, frequently urinate and defecate, and may seem colicky. This stage lasts for about 1-2 hours and ends when the sac breaks, and fluid comes out (i.e. her water breaks).
- Stage II: Immediately after the water breaks, the pearly-white membrane, known as the amnion, should appear. Very soon, you should see 2 front feet and a nose of the foal, and the foal will be expelled. This stage should last about 10-20 minutes.
- Stage III: Your mare will expel her placenta. This stage should last anywhere from 1-3 hours.
Call Your Vet
- Call your vet immediately if you see:
- Any lack of progress, e.g.
- Stage II of labour lasting longer than 30 minutes
- Stage III of labour lasting longer than 3 hours
- A red bag instead of the pearly-white amnion
- Malpresentation of the foal (e.g. only head, only membrane and no head or legs)
- Rectal perforation (foal hoof coming out anus of mare)
- Evidence of hemorrhage
- The mare expels only parts of a placenta or does not expel her placenta after 3 hours
- Any lack of progress, e.g.