Are you looking for a way to calculate a mare's gestation due date and timeline? Then you have come to the right place. Estimating the pregnancy due date is great for healthy breeding and ensuring the well-being of both the female horse (mare) and the foal (baby horse).
That's why we built the Mare Gestation Calculator — it helps you determine the foaling (due) date and view a step-by-step timeline so you can prepare early and provide proper care.
In this guide we cover:
Let's dive in to understand everything about mare gestation, step by step.
Typically, the gestation period for a mare ranges from about 320 to 360 days, with an average of roughly 340 days (≈ 11 months). However, several factors can affect duration, including the mare's age, health, and breeding condition.
Foaling refers to the process in which a mare gives birth to a foal. This is a sensitive time for both the mare and the foal; both require proper care, a safe environment, and close monitoring.
Our Mare Gestation Calculator is designed to estimate the mare's foaling (due) date and to provide a timeline of the gestation period based on the breeding date and mare type.
Using the calculator is simple and straightforward. Just fill in the input details:
Inputs:
___________________Steps:
Here is how mare gestation is calculated to estimate the foaling date:
To estimate the due date of the delivery:
Foaling Date ≈ Mating Date + 340 days (approximately 11 months)
Our calculator not only provides the earliest and latest possible foaling dates but also gives a comprehensive timeline.
Determining whether your female horse (mare) is pregnant involves observing signs and behavior. The adult female horse will show early signs of pregnancy, which include:
A veterinarian can often confirm pregnancy by transrectal ultrasound as early as 14–16 days after breeding. Palpation (rectal exam) is typically more reliable later, often around 30–60 days.
On average, a mare may come into heat and be bred again about 7–10 days after foaling; this period is called "foal heat." However, whether she should be bred then depends on her health and recovery.
However, many veterinarians recommend waiting until the second estrus cycle (about 30 days after foaling) to allow the mare time to recover.
A pregnant mare needs proper care and nutrition. Provide a balanced grain mix, high-quality forage, and vitamin-mineral supplements as recommended. Consult your veterinarian for specific feeding advice based on the stage of pregnancy.
You must keep an eye on many things for a healthy foaling delivery. First, ensure the area where the female horse will give birth is safe, clean, and quiet.
Monitor signs that show she is going into labor, e.g., restlessness and nesting. You must keep your vet's contact information nearby, and the necessary supplies should be ready for the foal's birth.
There are some signs a female horse (mare) will show when she is close to foaling, which include:
Closely monitoring these signs will help you get ready for the foal's birth.
There are three stages of female horse's (mare's) pregnancy: early, mid, and late.
Complications during a mare's pregnancy can include twin pregnancies, placentitis (inflammation of the placenta), and abortion. Regular veterinary check-ups can help detect and manage these issues early.
After birthing a foal, make sure the female horse (mare) is healthy. Please consider monitoring any problems like infections or distress the mare could experience.
Provide high-quality feed and clean water, and allow the mare to bond with her foal. Veterinary checkups are necessary to ensure the foal and female horse (mother of foal) are healthy.
A female horse (mare) can show symptoms of pregnancy, but she may not actually be pregnant due to hormonal imbalance or other factors.
Thankfully, a veterinarian can diagnose and manage false pregnancy in a female horse (mare).