Filed under: Health & Training | By Dana N. Zimmel, DVM, DACVIM, DABVP, courtesy of AAEP Routine and Emergency Care of the Neonatal Foal The best chance to improve the survival rate of a newborn foal is adequate disease prevention and planning. Daily observation of the mare in the last trimester, vaccination, nutrition and blood screening should compose the basis of a comprehensive broodmare program. The mare should be observed for changes in the mammary gland and vulva.