Yes, a foal can die before birth.
No, it is not possible to determine the sex of a foal before birth through ultrasound or other methods. The sex of the foal can only be determined once it is born.
A foal typically stands within 1-2 hours after birth, but it can vary depending on the individual foal and circumstances. It's important for the foal to stand and nurse soon after birth to receive vital colostrum from the mare.
Mares typically start producing milk a few days before foaling. This process can vary depending on the individual mare, but it commonly begins within 24 to 48 hours before birth. It is important to monitor your mare closely for signs of impending foaling.
You can start handling your foal as soon as it is safely able to do so, usually within the first few days of birth. It is important to start handling the foal early to begin building trust and establishing boundaries. Gradually introduce handling activities to ensure the foal is comfortable with human interaction.
The first heat that occurs a few days after birth is called a Foal Heat. Breeding a mare on a foal heat is possible, but sometimes not the best thing for the mare. As a result many breeders do not breed on foal heat. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.
To prevent the foal from becoming infected with Parascaris equorum you would have to clean the udders and teats before foaling.
The recommendation is now 12 hours post foaling. The sooner the foal nurses during that first 12 hours the better, IMHO. I try to get colostrum into the foal before it even gets up for the first time.
=no you can not take a mare away from its foal straight after its birth=
A foal
Anywhere from a few weeks before the birth to not until the the day of, and sometimes not even until after the foal has been born. Each mare is different.
It normally takes 11 months for a mare before she gives birth, but occasionally it will be 10 or 12 months.