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  Discussion on Mare bagging up - 314 days gestation - Extremely Big
Author Message
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Thursday, Mar 8, 2007 - 3:24 pm:

Just an uneasy feeling. We have a 6 or 7 year old Haflinger mare carrying a foal by one of our Andalusian sires. The vet who examines our newborns felt that the Andalusians are born more refined than the Haflingers (which is true) and that a cross should pose no problem. We have another Haflinger mare pregnant by the same Andalusian stallion and she looks like a normal, pregnant mare. The one I am worried about seems to feel fine. She is just absolutely huge. Now I am worried about twins. I think she only had one or two ultrasounds - (we typically do one to confirm pregnancy and one to confirm a heartbeat). I am worried about potential delivery problems, etc. As of last night you could not express any liquid from her teats, but she was definitely bagging up. My husband is going to the pasture to check her again today and bring her into the barn where we can keep a camera on her. Our other option is to take her to an area vet hospital for foaling out. It is primarily her extreme size that is worrying us. Can twins be felt at this stage? What is the chance of a foal surviving at 314 days? We are hoping she will go another week or so. Do some mares just get huge?

Any help would be appreciated.

Judy
Member:
christel

Posted on Thursday, Mar 8, 2007 - 5:18 pm:

Hi Judy, if its any consulation, yes some mares just get huge, one of my mares is this way, poor girl has looked miserable for at least a month, she is due anyday. She only started bagging up a week ago, but in the past has bagged several weeks out- Im hoping she doesn't 'cook' this one for several more weeks- Im ready!!
Is this your mares first foal?
Hope there is nothing to worry about. If Im recalling correctly DrO made the comment on Joanie's mare that was carrying twins, there is nothing you can do now for twins, and really no way to find out if she is carrying twins at this point.
Best wishes,
Chris
Member:
zarr

Posted on Thursday, Mar 8, 2007 - 5:57 pm:

Best wishes Judy , remember one mare that always looked like she had swallowed a VW.!! On the lighter side new Horse Illustrated arrived today full of beautiful Andalusians. Cindy
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Thursday, Mar 8, 2007 - 9:54 pm:

Thanks for your encouragement Chris and Cindy. Good luck with your expectant mother also! I've got to get a Horse Illustrated!

This mare had one living foal. She was rescued by a friend 2 or 3 years ago, pregnant, nursing a foal, ill with strangles, and in a state where every bone was showing. Our friend asked her husband to purchase the mare, they built a paddock for her by his office so that she was isolated from their other horses, and embarked on months of treating the strangles and feeding her properly. She lost the foal she was carrying. She did fully recover and was deemed reproductively sound and had no infection at the time of breeding. This mare is totally loving, trusts and enjoys being around everyone. What a forgiving mare!

Still can't express fluid. Praise the Lord!

Judy
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Member:
oscarvv

Posted on Friday, Mar 9, 2007 - 6:59 am:

Hi Judy -
I have a TB who gets huge every year. She has never had twins but it is hard to believe when you see her even months before foaling. She just foaled and everything was once again fine.
-B
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Mar 9, 2007 - 7:28 am:

Often twins are not palpable at this point but they can be diagnosed with US as the two placenta walls can be picked up for more see Diseases of Horses » Reproductive Diseases » Problems During Pregnancy » Twinning & Management of Twins.

I too find the size of the mare a poor indicator of twins.
DrO
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