Is Your Mama a Mare: Birthing Problems

Although most mares can go through the birthing process easily and without any problems, it is not fair to say all births are that easy. There are numerous problems that can occur during the birth that any owner should be prepared for. Many complications mean that a veterinarian should be readily available, which is why it is so important to have a veterinarians number on hand! Common complications are:


Twins
A mare that is in foal with twins can have a very difficult time delivering. It is also uncommon for a mare to go full term when she is carrying twins, which means the babies will be much smaller in size. Problems arise when the twins are not born fast enough and one can easily suffocate inside the mother. Another problem with twins is that sometimes they do not fully develop, meaning the foals can be stillborn. If you find out your mare is pregnant with twins before the birth, discuss with your veterinarian some birthing options to make the birthing process easier on your mare.











**The picture above shows two surviving minature horses taking a nap with their owner!

Stillborn Foals
Sadly, some foals just don't survive the birthing process and end up being still born. They can either dies before labor even begins, or die due to the stress of labor. Either way, if it is determined the foal is already dead, it is important to keep the mare calm so that the baby can still be born. A stillborn foal can be harder to get out, which can cause inflammation of the cervix of the mare. Once the baby is born, your veterinarian may want to do a pelvic exam on your mare to ensure that no parts of the foal or placenta are left behind.

Death or Rejection of the Mother
A foal can become orphaned many ways, such as the mare dying or the mare rejecting the baby after birth. It is very hard to hand raise a foal, and it takes a lot energy, but it can be done. A newborn foal must be bottle fed every 2 hours to ensure it gets enough nutrients. Also, a foal must be kept in its own stall away from all other horses so it does not get trampled. A hand raised foal can sometimes have a hard time adapting to pasture life, but can be weaned back into a pasture once it is old enough to be on grass.

Scoliosis in Foals
This is quite possibly one of the strangest problems foals can be born with, and is often times the most devastating. A foal can be born alive and still walk when it is affected by scoliosis but it often times can not grow right and is in extreme discomfort. Scoliosis can often occur when vertebras are fused, causing a severe curve in the horse's back or neck. If scoliosis is severe, your veterinarian will usually suggest euthanizing the horse to keep it from being in extreme pain.












**The picture above shows a horse suffering from scoliosis of the neck!