When aroused, they hop to their feet and stretch. This shows that the foal feels good. Since foals are normally active, be suspicious when one lies down too much or stands with its head down while other foals are playing. Check them for fever and injuries. It's a good idea to touch foals to learn the feel of their normal body temperature.
Foals also have a higher heart rate than adult horses.
The heart rate of an adult is about 40 beats per minute. A foal's heart beats 70-95 beats per minute. The respiration rate of adult horses is about 12 breaths per minute. It's the waste material that accumulates in the fetal intestine. This is why we advise giving newborn foals a phosphate enema.