Foaling

If your mare has made it through 11 months of pregnancy, you’re almost home free. Labor and delivery, while momentous, are generally uneventful. In most cases, you will simply need to be a quiet observer – if, that is, you are lucky enough to witness the birth. Mares seem to prefer to foal at night in privacy, and apparently have some control over their delivery. Because most mares foal without difficulty, it is usually best to allow the mare to foal undisturbed and unassisted.
What you can do, however, is prepare your mare for a safe and successful delivery. Follow these suggestions from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to help the new mother and baby get off to a great start:

Look for the following indicators of dental problems from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to know when to seek veterinary attention for your horse:

If a mare is taking longer than 30 minutes to deliver the foal, call your veterinarian immediately.
For more information on labor and delivery and postpartum care for the mare and foal, ask your equine veterinarian. Additional information can be found on http://www.aaep.org/horseowner, the AAEP’s website for all horse health topics.
Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.