What Does Foaling Mean? Signs & Stages

Foal- Verb and Noun! You’ve got the horse lingo basics down, including foals (as a noun). But what exactly does foaling mean?

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What Does Foaling Mean?

Foaling is the mare’s process of giving birth. The term is used similarly to “calving” for when cows giving birth. 

Signs of Foaling

Although there is an average gestation period for mares, many births range from 320 days to 360+. This is a big window, especially in high-risk ...

Stages of Foaling

The foaling process can be divided into three stages. Many owners will miss the first stage, or mistake the signs for something unrelated. 

Stage 1

The first stage of labor is typically the longest stage and lasts anywhere from 1-4 hours.

Stage 2

Stage 2 of labor starts when the water breaks. Under normal circumstances in a healthy mare, this process is usually under 20 minutes! This stage is complete after the mare delivers the foal.

Stage 3

Despite the mare having “foaled” already, there is a third stage in foaling. This is the delivery of the placenta.

Closing Thoughts

For some owners, the foaling process is the easiest part of breeding. Properly breeding a mare takes time, money, patience, veterinary care, and a plethora of research. 

Foaling is the mare’s process of giving birth. The term is used similarly to “calving” for when cows giving birth. Although an exciting time for horse owners, preparing for the foaling process can be a stressful time.

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