Signs that the mare is due to foal include:
- Her tail and hip muscles drop, making the tail head stick out.
- Her teats become shiny and tight.
- Her vulva enlarges and relaxes.
- Milk may drip from the nipples when the mare walks.
- Nipples wax up about 24 to 48 hours before the mare foals.
- The abdomen develops a point at the lowest portion.
- Her milk veins (the veins under her belly, just in front of the udder) grow large and stand out.
- When contractions begin, the mare may look “colicky” (looking at her abdomen, pawing the ground, lying down, sweating lightly). This is a sure sign that foal is about to be born, so take her to a safe, clean and dry birthing stall.
