PREGNANCY

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URITIO

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Fertilization: Takes place once the sperm cell and the egg join.

• Only one egg to one sperm cell

PREGNANCYAverage gestation: 330

Days about 11 monthsGestation: The length of

pregnancy from conception to parturition

PREGNANCY CONT.Pregnancy may not be

visible during the first few months

Tests should be run to make sure

• tests include: urine and blood analysis

PREGNANCY CONT.

If you have a skilled vet or breeder palpating and ultrasound are also good ways to check.

However, these options can be more expensive and the person running the test must be good at their job.

Teasing a mare is another option but it is not as accurate

PARTURITIONIs the process of giving

birth. In horses this is a generally

quick process.• Less than 30 minutes

once the water breaks

PARTURITION STAGESParturition happens in three

stages:Stage 1: Labor beginsStage 2: Foal is bornStage 3: Placenta is expelled (passed)

POSITIONFoal should exit in a diving position• Front feet then head and

shoulders.Foals start to breath as soon as the umbilical cord breaks

Dystocia – Difficult birth

AFTERWARDSFoal: foals usually stand

within 30 minutes of being born and is nursing within 2 hours.

Mare: The mare will pass the placenta and begin taking care of the foal quickly after the foal is born.

AFTERWARDS CONT.

** If the placenta is not passed within 8 hours of the birth then you need to call a vet.**

FOAL DEVELOPMENT

At 25 days: heart beat is present

DAY 40The foal is now ¾’’ and

looks like a four legged animal

Ears, eyelids, and other features are starting to form

DAY 50Foal is just over an inch

long.Features are becoming

more distinct. Ribs and skull are forming.

DAY 60Hooves have developedFoal is starting to resemble a

horse.

DAY 80Sex is visible.About the size of a chipmunk.

DAY 150Foal gains a pound every 10

days.Hair is starting to develop.Eyelashes are now visible.

DAY 180Mane and tail have started

to form.

DAY 270Fetus now looks like a foal. About the size of a German

Shepherd.

DAY 320Lungs have developed enough

to support the foal if it was born early.

The hair covering the foal has become coarser.

DAY ~330Foal is born!