by Leigh Ann Matthews | Photo courtesy of the University of California–Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
You’ve anxiously waited for months for your mare to foal. Finally, the
baby is born, and all seems well as the mare is up licking and nuzzling the bewildered foal. Within an hour, the mare is alert and eating, giving the foal a little time to adjust to its new environment. The foal eventually struggles to its feet and attempts to walk around a bit on its wobbly long legs.
Healthy foals will normally try to nurse within the first two hours. The mare’s first milk contains colostrum, which is very important for the foal’s immune system because it contains high concentrations of antibodies. The best-quality colostrum production is in the first eight hours after foaling. Ideally, the foal will receive at least two pints of mare’s milk in the first 12 hours of its life.
The mare should pass the placenta within a few minutes to a couple of hours after delivery. It is vital to monitor both mare
and foal for the first 12 to 24 hours after the foal is born to make sure they adjust well and no problems occur.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners publishes this guideline. As a basic rule of thumb, follow the 1-2-3 Rule:
• 1 hour: The foal should be standing.
• 2 hours: The foal should be nursing.
• 3 hours: The mare should have passed the placenta.
If the foal nurses successfully, it should pass its first stool, called the meconium, which will be dark and rather sticky. If the foal doesn’t nurse or seems confused, you can easily test its suckling reflex by putting your index finger in its mouth. If the foal doesn’t try to suck your finger and/or shows little desire to try, it might be affected with neonatal maladjustment syndrome (NMS), aka neonatal encephalopathy and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, or “dummy” foal syndrome.
If the foal exhibits neurological problems and seems disoriented, detached, or unresponsive and shows little or no interested in nursing, it’s best to contact your veterinarian for an evaluation and possible treatment as soon as possible.
How NMS Affects Foals
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, signs of neonatal maladjustment syndrome vary, ranging from a slow suckle response at birth to hyperexcitability, aimless wandering, depression, lying prone, loss of muscle tone, and seizures. In a common scenario, the foal appears normal at birth and progressively loses interest in its dam, lacks or loses the suckling reflex, and begins to exhibit other symptoms. Some foals become very vocal and produce sounds which have been described as like those of a barking dog. The term “barker foal” is also sometimes used to describe this condition.
NMS affects 1 to 2 percent of foals. Without significant intervention and extensive and often expensive care, many of those do not survive. Many NMS foals seem to wander around in a stupor for hours or even days after their birth.
The exact cause of NMS has yet to be determined, but many veterinarians consider it to be related to a lack of oxygen available during the perinatal period, shortly before, during, and after the birth. Another possible cause is the neurosteroids, which are present while the foal is in the womb. Because horses are prey animals with strong flight instincts, the neurosteroids should stop at birth to allow the foal to be up and ready to run within a few hours.
How the Madigan Squeeze Can Help
After years of research, John Madigan, D.V.M., M.S., DACVIM-LA, DACAW, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the University of California–Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, developed a “squeeze technique” which replicates compression during birth and can often help foals with NMS “wake up.” Madigan’s method is designed to signal the transition from being asleep in the womb to the onset of consciousness following birth.
During the initial study, Madigan and his team found that foals with NMS have high levels of neurosteroid compounds in their bloodstreams. He suggests that the journey through the birth canal should trigger a biochemical switch that enables the newborn to move from the calm, sedative state in the womb to full alert consciousness. The “squeeze” simulates the physical pressure applied during the birthing process to activate the switch to the “alert” state. Madigan’s technique involves applying pressure to the foal’s ribs by using ropes looped around the rib cage for about 20 minutes, which is about the normal time for a foal to transition from the womb during birth.
Many veterinarians have found success with this procedure and might follow up with antibiotics to prevent secondary infections and with other medications to enhance the chances for a foal’s full recovery.
Importance of Seeking Veterinary Care
Any number of other complications could occur, which is why it is very important to seek the advice of your veterinarian if you suspect problems with a newborn.
CAUTION: Time is critical, and waiting too long to seek professional assistance could be devastating for the foal. Trying the Madigan squeeze without the help of a veterinarian is also discouraged because performing the procedure incorrectly could provoke additional issues.
