⚠️ Not veterinary advice. This guide is for education on minor issues only. If you are unsure, or your animal is in pain, call your veterinarian. In an emergency, call immediately.
Foaling problems (dystocia) in horses
Should I call the vet?
Typical signs: Active labor after the water breaks: a white bag, then two front feet (one slightly ahead of the other) and the nose should appear.
Call your vet now if you see
- Red velvety bag appears first ("red bag") — emergency
- No progress 20 minutes after the water breaks
- Only one foot, soles facing up, a head without feet, or a tail
- Mare stops pushing, rolls repeatedly or seems exhausted
- Delivery taking more than 30 minutes
What you can do
- Save your vet's number in your phone before the due date; time each stage of labor.
- Wrap the tail with a clean wrap and keep the stall clean and well bedded.
- Watch quietly — most mares foal without help.
- If anything looks wrong, call your vet first and follow their instructions.
- Never pull on the foal unless your vet tells you to.
When to call the vet
Immediately for any call-now sign — minutes matter.
Normal adult vital signs (at rest)
Horse
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 99.0–101.5 °F | Over 102 °F or under 98 °F |
| Heart rate | 28–44 /min | Over 60 at rest |
| Respiration | 10–24 /min | Over 30 or labored |
| Gums / CRT | Moist pink, refill < 2 s | Pale, white, dark red, purple, tacky |
| Gut sounds | Gurgles both sides | Silent |
| Hydration | Skin pinch back in 1–2 s | Tents > 2–3 s |
Young animals differ. Learn each animal's healthy baseline and record it.
Sources
More from Should I Call the Vet?
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Other horse topics
- Minor cuts & scrapes
- Hoof abscess
- Mild colic warning signs
- Thrush
- Rain rot / rain scald
- Eye irritation
- Laminitis (founder) warning signs
- Choke (esophageal obstruction)
- Mild cough / nasal discharge
- Scratches / mud fever
- Lameness / limping
- Puncture wound / nail in the foot
- Nosebleed
- Fever (high temperature)
- Diarrhea (adult horse)
- Not eating (off feed)
- Not drinking / dehydration
- Tying-up (muscle cramping)
- Leg swelling / stocking up
- Hives (raised bumps)
- Weight loss / poor condition
- Dental problems / quidding
- Retained placenta (after foaling)
- Newborn foal problems
- Stumbling / neurological signs
- Snake bite
- Toxic plant eaten
- Cast horse (stuck lying down)
- Lost shoe / hoof crack
- Tail rubbing
- Vaccine reaction
- Lice / mange / skin irritation
- Heat stress
Keep every record in one place
Herd Papers keeps vaccines, Coggins, vet and farrier visits, weight and body condition for each animal, and reminds you before things come due.
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