Due dates by breeding date
The table adds 340 days, with the 320 to 370 day range, to the breeding date. It uses 2026 as the breeding year.
| Bred on | Earliest (320) | Expected (340) | Latest (370) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | Mar 7, 2027 | Apr 6, 2027 |
| May 1, 2026 | Mar 17, 2027 | Apr 6, 2027 | May 6, 2027 |
| Jun 1, 2026 | Apr 17, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | Jun 6, 2027 |
| Jul 1, 2026 | May 17, 2027 | Jun 6, 2027 | Jul 6, 2027 |
Use the horse gestation calculator for any date, or see the horse gestation chart. A mare in good health may foal later than 340 days. Ask your vet to examine her if she passes 360 days.
Signs a mare is close
- The udder fills with milk about two to four weeks before foaling.
- Small amounts of colostrum may leak one to four days before labor.
- Stage one of labor, with contractions, restlessness, pacing and sweating, lasts from 30 minutes to about 6 hours.
Labor and after birth
| Stage or milestone | Time |
|---|---|
| Stage two, from the water breaking to delivery | The foal usually arrives within 20 to 30 minutes. Intervene or call if it is over 20 minutes after the water breaks and the foal is not emerging |
| Stage three, placenta passed | Within 3 hours. If not, it is retained and needs a vet |
| Foal stands | Within 1 hour |
| Foal nurses | Within 2 hours |
| First manure (meconium) | Around 3 hours |
| Vet check | Within the first 12 to 24 hours |
| IgG (antibody) blood test | During the first 24 hours, because a foal can absorb antibodies for only about 18 to 24 hours |
These are the figures Cornell's veterinary college gives as the 1-2-3 guide, and they are a screen for problems, not a promise that every healthy foal fits.
Call the vet at once if
- There is a "red bag" delivery, with red membranes at the vulva before the foal. Cornell lists a red bag as an immediate call.
- The foal is lethargic, cannot stand, cannot nurse or is not breathing.
- The mare foaled unattended, or either animal shows abnormal behavior.
- The placenta has not passed within 3 hours.
See a vet. Have your vet's number and an emergency clinic number ready before the season starts, and agree in advance on what to do if you need to call at night. A vet checkup in the first 12 to 24 hours is recommended even after an easy birth.
Frequently asked questions
How long are horses pregnant?
About 340 days, with 320 to 370 days normal.
How soon should a foal stand?
Within about one hour of birth, and nurse within about two hours.
When should the placenta pass?
Within three hours of the foal. Otherwise it is retained and the mare needs a vet.