This study examined the behaviour of mares during foaling and when they were separated from their foal on a weekly basis. The mares behaviour towards the foal and the fetal membranes were observed during the first 30 minutes after foaling. Half of the mares were than observed from the 30 to 60 minute after foaling. The majority of the contact with the fetal membranes was made during the first 10 minutes after foaling. On average there were 16 contacts made with the fetal membranes and 18 directed towards the foal. During the 30 to 60 minute period after foaling, the mare continued to lick and touch the foal. Only one foal suckled during the first 30 minutes after birth, but one hour after foaling half of the foals had suckled. To test the behaviour of mares during brief separation from their foals, ten mares were separated from the foal for five minutes every week for 9 weeks. The amount that the mare neighed and stepped decreased, as the foal grew older. The foals response rose from weeks 1 to 2 and than decreased after that. This suggests that the bond between the foal and the mare is not complete until the foal is two weeks old.