Red Bag Delivery in Arabian Horses

Since I wrote my series of blog articles on Sassy (the mare carrying her fourth set of twins) and Laurietta's story, my Arabian horse blog statistics indicate there are a considerable number of searches being directed towards my horse blog around the issue of red bag deliveries in (Arabian) horses. So many in fact it appears to warrant a post and an image link about this particular complication of foaling in the Arabian horse and other breeds of horses .

While I have never had to deal with a red bag delivery in my Arabian horse business. I have studied extensively about it's occurrence in horses. I have also witnessed red bag deliveries on the live foaling cams on Mare Stare.

Red bag delivery is a layman's term for the foaling complication known as premature placental separation in horses. Under normal foaling conditions this red structure (known as the chorioallantois) ruptures at the cervical star (portion of the placenta where all the blood vessels merge together and form the umbilical cord) and the foal within the white sack (amnion) present through the birth canal. Occasionally, the chorioallanatois is too thick and the foal (Arabian horse) is unable to break through. This causes the structure to separate from the mare's (horses) uterus and it precedes the foal through the birth canal.

The reason this is unsafe is the red structure provides the foal (horse) all of it's nutrients, oxygen etc to stay alive. Once this separation begins, the foal is oxygen deprived and can die or suffer extensive damage if not delivered immediately.

If red bag (see red bag image) presents it should be immediately (but carefully) cut with scissors and the foal should be gently pulled from the mare. Before pulling the foal, it is also important to remember that it is possible to have other foaling complications in conjunction with a red bag delivery. Once the membrane of the red bag has been cut, the position of the foal should be determined before pulling on the foal. If the foal is in the proper position (two front feet with bottoms of hooves down and nose following closely behind) It is important to pull the foal in conjunction with the mare's contractions. Pulling against the contractions can cause the mare's (Arabian horses) uterus to prolapse (come out and turn inside out)

Also, when pulling a foal (Arabian horse), keep in mind that one foot should be positioned slightly ahead of the other foot. This allows the shoulders to come out at an angle instead of straight across. The shoulders will be able to move through a narrower opening that way making it easier on the mare and the foal (and the person pulling).

You want to get the entire foal out as quickly as possible. Some people think once you are past the shoulders the hard part is done, but a foal is still vulnerable when it is only out to that point. The constriction associated with the mare's contractions can suffocate a foal that is halfway in and halfway out. This is not a time to stop pulling, just keep it in time with the mare's contractions. Once the foal is out it should be watched closely for signs of hypoxia (oxygen deprivation or dummy foal syndrome).

In the event of a red bag delivery with a malpresenting foal, it will be necessary to reach inside the mare to ascertain the position of the foal. I keep the long examine gloves (I get them from my vet) on hand in my foaling supplies along with the scissors needed to cut a red bag. I also keep my finger nails cut short and keep them as clean as possible when I'm anticipating a foaling. This way the risk of infecting a mare can be minimized.

Anytime I have a problem with a foaling, I get my vet on the phone immediately. If the problem is a malpresentation, I keep him on the phone so I can describe to him what's happening and answer any questions. Then he walks me through what I need to do and answers any questions while he heads to my farm. It helps a lot with my confidence. I think adrenaline works a lot better with confidence than with fear.


For more complete information on red bag deliveries and the causes.


Arabian horse Arabian horses horses horse foaling complications red bag delivery