Is Your Mama a Mare: Birthing Positions

The difference between your horse having a normal birth compared to a breech birth can mean a difference in your horse having a smooth birth compared to a very risky, health threatening birth to both the mare and foal. A foal is normally born with front hooves first followed by the head, which allows the doal to easily pass through the birth canal. A normal birthing position is shown below.

A breech birth means that the foal is backwards and is going to be born hooves first. This is difficult because the hips are the hardest part for a mare to deliver and for them to come out first is hard on a mare. If it is determined the horse is in breech postion, a veterinarian should be calle immediately. If a vet can not get there in time, you may have to assist the mare in delivering. By grasping the exposed feet, gently pull down toward the mares hooves to rotate the foal's pelvis so it can easily move through the birth canal. Below is a picture of a foal in breech position.