Post-Foaling Update: Evaluating the Placenta

One of the most important post-foaling checks is a thorough examination of the placenta. This provides valuable insight into both the health of the foal and the mare’s reproductive tract after delivery.

Why Do We Examine the Placenta?

The placenta plays a critical role during pregnancy, serving as the lifeline between the mare and foal by delivering oxygen, nutrients, and hormones while removing waste. Once the foal is born, evaluating the placenta helps determine if the pregnancy progressed normally and whether any retained pieces could cause complications for the mare.

Surprise’s Placenta – Key Observations

📌 The placenta was fully expelled within a normal timeframe, which is crucial for preventing infection in the mare.
📌 The velvety red chorionic surface (inside) and white allantoic side (outside) are fully intact, meaning nothing was retained.
📌 The umbilical cord looks normal in length and thickness, with no signs of excessive twisting or abnormal separation.
📌 The cervical star, the area where the placenta detaches from the uterus, appears intact, meaning the foal did not have trouble breaking through during birth.
📌 There is some thickening and discoloration, which aligns with the placentitis we detected and treated during pregnancy. While the inflammation didn’t fully resolve, it did not appear severe enough to cause major complications for the foal.

Pregnant vs. Non-Pregnant Horns

The placenta has two distinct uterine horns:
🔹 The Pregnant Horn – This is the side of the placenta where the foal developed. It is larger, more stretched, and often thicker due to the weight and positioning of the foal.
🔹 The Non-Pregnant Horn – This side is smaller and less stretched but should still be fully expelled with the rest of the placenta.

Both horns, along with the placental body, must be accounted for to confirm that the entire placenta has been delivered. Retention of any part, especially in the non-pregnant horn, can lead to infection or serious post-foaling complications.

What Would Be a Concern?

🚨 Retained Placenta – If any portion remains inside the mare, it can lead to infection, laminitis, or systemic illness.
🚨 Abnormal Placental Thickness or Discoloration – This can indicate poor blood flow to the foal or placentitis that may have affected fetal health.
🚨 Twisted or Compromised Umbilical Cord – Excessive twisting or a thickened cord can lead to restricted blood flow in utero.
🚨 Compromised Cervical Star – If the foal had struggled to break through the placenta at birth (as seen in red bag deliveries), intervention would have been necessary.

What’s Next?

Since Surprise passed the entire placenta, we will continue to monitor her closely for any post-foaling complications such as fever, abnormal discharge, or discomfort. The foal is also being carefully observed to ensure they are nursing well and showing strong early development.

Placenta evaluations may not be the most glamorous part of foaling, but they are one of the most valuable tools for assessing both mare and foal health after delivery.