What are the signs of labor?

What are the most common signs of labor in horses?

• I was just wondering what the most common signs in labor are. We have had horses for a wile now, and we have one pregnant horse. I have never been able to watch a horse foal because they act as if they are going into labor. BUT NEVER GIVE BIRTH....So we always miss out. I just want the signs. No rude comments please. This will be are 2 foal. PS. the horse that is foaling has never had a baby before.

• Answer:

  Mares that have not foaled before (maiden mares) can foal a bit early or late. Also, mares that are nervous or high-strung can prolong gestation by resisting the normal process of delivery. When attempting to predict foaling dates, use the breeding dates, any history of the mare’s previous gestations and your veterinarian’s input to estimate. Most mares will begin to “bag up” in the last month to month and a half of gestation. This means that her udder will begin to swell. Many mares will resist attempts to touch their udders or nipples, which can interfere with the foal’s nursing attempts. By helping your mare become accustomed to having her teats handled or cleaned with a warm cloth, it can help the foal to nurse after birth. Patience, a helper, and occasionally a tranquilizer are needed for this. Once she is accustomed to having her udder and teats handled, regular checks can reveal when the udder begins to fill. This will first be felt near the belly, and then can be discerned in the mammary glands and nipples. As the mare gets closer to foaling, her nipples will thicken, hang down lower, and begin to develop a thick, waxy material. When the nipples “wax,” it is a fairly reliable indicator that the foal will be born within the next day or so. Still, none of these indicators are absolute. Remember that mares approach foaling in their own individual ways. Some do not bag up at all, while others will produce copious amounts of milk and may even leak milk for days before the foal is born. Some mares will wax and others will not. Evaluate all the signs as an overall indicator of impending foaling, rather than relying on any one sign. Other things to look for are signs of the rump and tailhead muscles softening. This helps to prepare the pelvic area to stretch during labor and foaling. The vulva may also become swollen and elongated. Be aware of changes in the mare’s behavior. This may indicate that foaling is imminent. Mares who behave more or less affectionately than usual, try to separate themselves from other horses, seem more nervous, may be nearing the start of labor. Also, loss of appetite is an indicator of approaching foaling. Foaling generally occurs between 10pm and 4am, so if a mare that normally eats well is uninterested in her dinner, she may be close to delivery.