AS the evening settles over the Irish National Stud, the yard goes quiet and the night shift begins, the soft sounds of the horses and the occasional wicker are the only signs of life.

I am currently completing the Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Management course. Every week on the course brings a different experience, with students rotating through different areas of the stud. This week, I am working on the foaling unit covering the night shift. My day begins at 6pm, as the daylight fades and the focus turns to monitoring the mares throughout the night.

There are three of us on night shift. When we arrive onto the yard, the handover takes place. The mares are closely monitored 24 hours of the day, so we are briefed on how they have been during the day, and which mares need closer attention. Some may have waxed up, while others could be dripping milk. We then go check the mares ourselves to confirm.

Throughout the night, we take turns checking the mares every 15 minutes, watching for any changes in behaviour or signs of foaling. Our first foal arrived around 7.30pm when one of the mares began to sweat and become restless. She foaled easily and delivered a healthy filly. My favourite moment is when the mare and newborn gently wicker to one another.

Just after midnight, we had another foal. The mare was a maiden. Foaling for the first time she showed no signs of giving birth, but delivered a beautiful bay colt.

It is a reminder that on the foaling unit nothing is ever a set pattern - the mares are all individuals.

Not long afterwards our third foal arrived, adding to an already eventful night. The mare had been dripping milk, so we had a good indication the foaling was imminent, and she delivered another handsome colt.

Following each foaling, aftercare is just as important. We make sure each foal passes its meconium, stands up and has a drink, whilst checking the mare has passed her placenta safely. It is an essential part of the night ensuring the mare and foal have the best start.

By the early hours of the morning, the yard is silent. After completing the final checks on both the mares and foals we hand over to the day staff.

Nights on the foaling unit are unpredictable, exciting and quite exhausting, but it is full of small, unforgettable moments.

From the first wicker between mare and foal and the relief that they are both safe, it is a mix of emotions but very rewarding, which is why working on the foaling unit is so special.

Katie Willis is from Derrylin, Northern Ireland, and is a BSc Equine Management graduate from CAFRE