Transporting a pregnant mare or a foal: the precautions to take

A mare in foal or a foal a few weeks old does not travel in the same conditions as a fit adult horse. A few principles to know before you plan the trip.

Pregnant mare: avoid the last month if possible

A long or stressful journey at the very end of pregnancy is generally not advised, unless it is necessary (moving to the planned foaling place, specific veterinary follow-up). The vet who follows the pregnancy is the right person to judge whether a given trip is reasonable at this stage.

A foal travels with its mother

An unweaned foal must travel with its mother, in enough space to stay close to her without being knocked about. Avoid separating a foal from its mother for transport as far as possible.

The right space and protection

An oversized stall is not always an advantage: too much free space lets the foal or the mare lose balance when braking. A well-fitted space, with protection suited to the foal's size, reduces this risk.

Allow more time

These trips are usually driven more gently, with less sudden braking and more frequent stops. So plan more travel time than for a single adult horse.

Every pregnancy and every foal is different: this guidance is general, and your vet's advice remains the reference for your specific situation.