⚠️ 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.
Retained placenta (after foaling) in horses
Should I call the vet?
Typical signs: Membranes still hanging from the mare, or not fully passed within 3 hours of foaling.
Call your vet now if you see
- Not fully passed 3 hours after foaling
- Fever, dull or off feed
- Severe colic signs or heavy bleeding
- Reluctant to walk or hooves hot (laminitis)
- Passed placenta looks torn or incomplete
What you can do
- Note the time the foal was born.
- Never pull on the placenta — it can tear and leave pieces behind.
- If membranes hang low, ask your vet whether to tie them up above the hocks so she can't step on them.
- Save the passed placenta in a clean bucket for your vet to check that it's whole.
When to call the vet
At 3 hours if not fully passed; immediately for call-now signs.
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
- Foaling problems (dystocia)
- 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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