From
the May issue of Equus magazine:
Healthy newborn foals hit a number of developmental
milestones on a predictable time line. When a foal lags significantly
behind the norm, it's wise to call your veterinarian for a closer
examination.
Here's how soon after birth neurological milestones
are typically reached:
* 30 seconds to three minutes: lifts and shakes
head
* One to 10 minutes: shifts up to his chest
in sternal recumbency
* Two to 10 minutes: suckles reflexively on
a finger placed in front of his mouth
* 10 to 40 minutes: moves ears and head to follow
sound
* 15 minutes to three hours: stands
After the foal stands, note how soon thereafter a
second set of milestones is reached:
* 15 minutes to three hours: walks well
* 30 minutes to 1.5 hours: nurses
* 30 minutes to 1.5 hours: passes meconium,
the waste matter accumulated in the fetal digestive tract
* One to 15 hours: urinates
* Two to four hours: stretches, trots, gallops
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