Australian Benchmarks for Foal Disease - What Australian Research Tells Us About Newborn Foal Health
A landmark Australian study published in the Australian Veterinary Journal in 2021 followed 1,219 foals born during the 2013 breeding season across properties in New South Wales and northern Victoria. The research then tracked those foals through to their racing careers, providing valuable insight into how events in the foaling paddock ultimately shape performance on the track.
Foals studied 1219
Neonatal mortality 2.2%
Foals abnormal immediately after birth 11.7%
Foals with an abnormality in first 48hrs 32.0%
Foals with orthopaedic conditions 14.7%
Foals with sepsis or maladjustment 5.4%
The Most Commonly Identified Issue: Limb Disorders
Non-septic orthopaedic disease, including angular limb deformities, flexor contracture and flexor laxity, was the most frequently identified abnormality, affecting nearly 15% of foals in the study. This is higher than older reported rates of 3–4%, though consistent with more recent literature, and likely reflects improved recognition and earlier intervention rather than a true increase in incidence.
Importantly, the study found that foals successfully treated for orthopaedic conditions were no less likely to go on to win races than untreated foals. This suggests that early recognition and appropriate treatment of orthopaedic conditions can result in successful racing outcomes.
Sepsis and Maladjustment
Around 5.4% of foals were treated for signs consistent with septic disease and/or neonatal maladjustment syndrome (recognising that these diseases may initially be difficult to differentiate and regularly occur concurrently). Sepsis diagnoses in this study were based on clinical signs identified on-farm, in the absence of laboratory confirmation — a practical reflection of the reality in many Australian breeding operations.
While this prevalence is lower than some overseas reports, the consequences were significant: foals with sepsis or neonatal maladjustment were substantially less likely to be named, start a race, or earn prize money compared with healthy foals.
Periparturient Problems and Foal Outcomes
One of the more striking findings was the long shadow cast by problems at foaling. Mares that experienced periparturient complications, including dystocia, retained foetal membranes, placentitis or postpartum haemorrhage, were significantly more likely to produce foals that developed abnormalities in the first 48 hours, and subsequently these foals had reduced racing performance, even when they appeared normal following birth. Therefore, any mare with a difficult or complicated foaling should receive extra vigilance, even if the foal looks normal at first glance, as these foals appear to carry a higher risk of problems down the track.
Passive Immunity
Perhaps the clearest and most actionable finding from this study concerns passive immune transfer. Foals that had their colostrum assessed – and where colostrum was documented as adequate – were significantly more likely to start races, win, and earn prize money.
The failure of passive transfer (foal IgG levels below 8 g/L) was identified in 5.3% of foals tested,. Notably, only 65.7% of foals in the study had IgG measured at all, suggesting considerable room for improvement across the industry.
Practical recommendations include:
Assess colostrum quality at birth using a Brix refractometer
Measure foal IgG between 12 and 24 hours after birth
Maintain a bank of high-quality frozen colostrum for at-risk foals
Arrange plasma transfusion promptly if failure of passive transfer is confirmed
A Warning About Prophylactic Antibiotics
The study found that properties using antibiotics routinely and indiscriminately in newborn foals, regardless of clinical signs, actually had significantly higher rates of septic disease and increased mortality compared with properties using antibiotics more judiciously.
Routine prophylactic antibiotic treatment in healthy foals is not supported by this research, and may in fact cause harm. Indiscriminate antibiotic use does not prevent septic disease, and risks selecting for resistant bacterial strains. Antimicrobial treatment should be reserved for foals showing clinical signs consistent with infection, and under the direction of a veterinarian.
Take-Home Messages
One of the more nuanced findings was the significant variation between participating properties, not just in disease rates, but in detection and recording practices. Properties that invested in routine monitoring (colostrum quality checks, IgG measurement, thorough foaling records) consistently showed better performance outcomes in their foals. In essence, systematic, attentive management is associated with better racetrack outcomes.
This research is the first of its kind in an Australian context, and while every property is different, the key messages translate clearly into on-farm practice:
Observe all foalings where possible and document complications carefully — this information predicts long-term outcomes
Establish a systematic passive immunity monitoring programme for every foal
Treat orthopaedic conditions early and appropriately — outcomes are good with proper management
Avoid routine prophylactic antibiotic use in clinically normal foals
Flag any foal born to a mare with periparturient complications for close monitoring in the days following birth
Work with your veterinarian to establish your own benchmarks — and compare them against this data.
Reference: Raidal SL, Hughes KJ, Eastwell B, Noble N, Lievaart J. "Prevalence and performance effects of neonatal disease in Thoroughbred and Standardbred foals in South-Eastern Australia." Australian Veterinary Journal 2021;99:152–162. DOI: 10.1111/avj.13056
If you have any questions about foal management protocols or neonatal disease, please feel free to reach out to our team at admin@beaequine.com.au.
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