Many problems affecting foals in the first week of life have similar and subtle symptoms.
A newborn can deteriorate within hours, so seek immediate veterinary advice if your foal:
Fails to stand within 2hr of birth, or to suckle good-quality colostrum within 4hr
Seems less alert, has little interest in feeding or spends excessive time lying down
Appears to fall asleep on his feet
Is lame (even if you think this is because the mare has trodden on him)
Has diarrhoea or colicky symptoms
Has milk on his head, or if the mare has a tightly distended udder or milk on her hindlegs
Call the vet if a foal more than a week old:
Is “off suck” — that is, no longer drinking milk
Seems quiet or depressed
Has diarrhoea
Is breathing more rapidly at rest (more than 30 breaths per minute)
Is lame, or has swelling around the joints
Is not gaining weight and condition as expected
Read more about foals
Read more about breeding
