Pronunciation: [fˈə͡ʊlɪŋ] (IPA) 
Foaling is the gerund form of the verb "foal," which means to give birth to a foal, a young horse. In IPA phonetic transcription, foaling is spelled /ˈfoʊlɪŋ/. The first syllable, "fo," is pronounced as /ˈfoʊ/ with an "o" sound like in "go." The second syllable, "-al," is pronounced as /-ɪŋ/ with an "i" sound like in "hit" and a nasal "ng" sound at the end. The spelling of foaling follows English spelling conventions and phonetics.
Foaling is a term used in equine husbandry that refers to the act of a female horse, known as a mare, giving birth to a foal. It is a natural process that occurs when the gestation period of a mare, which typically lasts around 11 months, comes to an end. During foaling, the mare goes through a series of physical and behavioral changes indicative of impending labor.
The onset of foaling is often marked by signs such as restlessness, frequent shifting of weight between the hind legs, and the passing of a sticky, opaque substance known as wax from the mare's teats. As labor progresses, the mare may exhibit pacing, pawing the ground, rolling, and frequent lying down and getting up. These behaviors are accompanied by the mare's abdominal contractions and the pushing of the foal through the birth canal.
Finally, the foal is delivered, usually followed by the detachment of the placenta, which is commonly referred to as afterbirth. The foal is initially wet and covered in a slippery membrane called the amnion, which the mare typically bites or tears off to expose the foal's airways. Shortly after birth, the foal is able to stand, usually within an hour, and begins to nurse for the vital colostrum present in the mare's milk, which provides important antibodies.
Foaling is an important event in horse breeding, requiring proper monitoring and assistance to ensure the health and safety of both the mare and foal.
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The word "foaling" is derived from the Old English word "folian" which means "to bear young". It is related to the Middle High German word "volen" and Middle Dutch word "volen" with the same meaning. The ultimate origin of the word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "fulōną".
