ABSTRACT
The newborn foal’s movements often will rupture the fetal membranes during the delivery period, which ensures that breathing can take place. A viable foal also will attempt to free itself from the fetal membranes by tossing its head and exhibiting running motions as soon as it is born. The dam seems to help by more or less systematically licking the foal. This process not only serves to remove the fetal membranes and to stimulate circulation, but also allows an intense olfactory bond to develop between the mare and her foal.
