Do mares ever foal in the day?

[susieq]

do mares ever foal in the day? and why do they always foal in the night?

[stormyacres]

One of mine has foaled twice during the middle of the day. In fact this year she did it under all of our noses, went into a corner that the was hidden from the cam! Sneaky little brat! But I think most have theirs in the evening, at least around here.

[kitcat0601]

Yes, the sure do foal during the day. At least mine did, which made out for a very rough start for the foal. Especially since I live in Florida and it was 85 out and I didnt have her in her stall. 1K in vet bills later, he is doing good now. I read somewhere that horses like the peace and quiet of the night..

[mistymoon]

Well - can I tell you some stories!!!! Our first foal this year was born at 2 in the afternoon. Then our 2nd & 3rd were born on a Saturday morning starting at 11AM - then 11:45AM. Then our 4th was born on the Sunday night at around 11PM. 5th was born around noon - outside as I thought she would foal that night. 6th was born early evening. 7th was born just after midnight. 8th was born around 11AM - out in the corral as she wasn't ready yet (yeah right). 9th was born at 9:30AM (we lost that little one as he was upside down). So out of 9 foalings - 6 were born during the day. A total bizarre year for us!!!!!!!!

So - to answer your question - Do mares ever foal in the day - YES!!!!!!!!!

[Marion]

Just depends on the mare. I have one that has had all of her foals in the daytime or before 9 P.M.
Others wait until after midnight.

[minidonks]

They only foal in the day if you have a full time day job..LOL!!

Dayle

[mistymoon]

Dayle - you hit the nail on the head!!!!!!!!!! That is so true!!!!!!!!!!!! The best is when the beepers go off all night long so that you get very little sleep (if any) and then you drag yourself to work every day looking like something that the cat dragged in - and then the mares foal out in the corral when you put them out for a half hour to get some exercise and sun!!!!!!!!!!!

[stormyacres]

Or if you have been up all night watching them and decide it is safe to lay down in the middle of the afternoon for an hour nap! KT did that to me twice now!

[glitterless]

Yep, they foal during bad weather, when you're away, or when you're sleeping! It never fails.

We've had 3 foals. 2 were born in the mid-afternoon, the other was born at midnight.

I think they pick the quietest time of day because it's safer for them. When left alone outside, most animals will go off on their own to give birth. We usually find our new calves tucked away under a fallen tree or on the other side of the property near the fenceline. I think it's an instinct for moms to be alone and hidden for foaling.

[susieq]

sorry if this thread is in the wrong place mods you can move it if ya want

[susieq]

guys thanks for the great information

[bndranch]

In 2005 my mare foaled at 7:30am and this year she foaled at 11:30pm. You asked why they foal at night and the main reasoning behind it is that most mares want to foal when it is quiet and they don't feel there is a threat to something coming and getting their baby. Most horse predators come out during the day but not at night. Just thought I would give you a little insight there!

[Meghan]

Macy @ Rephartox did it in 06 with Lona. She gave birth at just past one in the afternoon.