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  Discussion on Rescue mare is bred, don't know when????
Author Message
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Saturday, Jun 13, 2009 - 11:49 pm:

Hi, I have a 10 yr. old QHx mare that I got from an equine rescue in Oct. of 08, not knowing at the time that she was pregnant. We didn't figure this out until she started to get rounder by the day, LOL! We've given her all of the proper mare care needed since than and now we're just waiting.
Her bag has been filling up quite fast the past 2 days and 2 days ago she was off her feed, acting very agitated, and did alot of tail switching and foot stomping. Let me also mention that the muscles along her tail head are very soft and her vulva was totally swollen until this evening when I noticed that it had shrunk back to it's original, wrinkled state.
Does anyone have any idea as to how soon she might foal? I figure its getting close enough to be checking on her every few hours, but any opinions would sure be appreciated!
thanks
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Sunday, Jun 14, 2009 - 12:01 am:

Hi Teri,

If she'll let you milk her at all, you can use pool strips to check for the pH change that is a very good predictor of impending foaling.

Or, like me, you can spend 15 nights in the stall....
Member:
mrose

Posted on Sunday, Jun 14, 2009 - 12:24 am:

Usually, once the tail head has softened and they form yellow "wax" on their teats, it's within 48 hrs. Of course, some don't form much wax, and others foal immediately, and others wait forever. Like elk says, you can use the strips. However, being old and "old school" I've always just spent all my time in the barn until they foal. I'd just get my foal kit all ready, make the coffee, and assume it will be anytime.
Member:
dres

Posted on Sunday, Jun 14, 2009 - 12:37 am:

I ditto what Sara says.. its time to keep a very close watch on her.. it could be sooner or later.. you have no history on her ..so stay close or have someone else stay close with a cell phone ready.. Do you have your mare/ foal kit ready?

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Sunday, Jun 14, 2009 - 12:41 am:

Hi elk, I tried to test her milk but she'll have NO touching of her teats, LOL! I just about lost an ear trying so that was enough warning for me!
I do have my foal kit ready and I've got the coffee pot on so we'll be on foal watch through the night and until we get a baby!
thanks a bunch!
Member:
erika

Posted on Sunday, Jun 14, 2009 - 10:46 am:

Teri, here's how you tell when she will foal:

Spend at least two weeks sleeping in the barn (like elk, and me), then crankily and sleepily vow that you're going to sleep in your own bed for one night before resuming barn watch. That will be the night she will foal. It's virtually foolproof.

Erika
Member:
mrose

Posted on Sunday, Jun 14, 2009 - 11:13 am:

Erika, you don't actually have to try and sleep in your own bed. Just go in for a quick shower and change of clothes! You do have to spend at least a week sleeping in the barn for this method to work though!
Member:
jjrichar

Posted on Sunday, Jun 14, 2009 - 11:15 am:

LOL Erika! So true, so true!

Teri, at least you know she will probably foal sometime before October. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Some mares are really hard to predict. Mine stayed heavily bagged and waxed for two weeks, until the one morning I slept in a little and found the foal peaking over the door when I got to the barn. LOL I read somewhere that mares can hold off labor for two weeks or something like that. They know when they are being watched I think.

It sounds like yours is close though. *passes extra coffee and sleeping bag* Good luck! And please post baby pics.
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Sunday, Jun 14, 2009 - 1:42 pm:

You are all so very right and great for a good laugh
This wouldn't be such a guessing game if I knew WHEN she was bred, but I do think she's going to foal sometime between now and October
I don't have her in the barn because she freaks out when she can't see the other horses so shes in a corral by the house and every time I went out to check on her last night she'd give me that"watcha doin' Mom" look
The mares I've foaled out in the past have all but one slipped their babies out while I was either in the house for a quick potty break or doing my morning chores! Sneaky girls these mares are!
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Sunday, Jun 14, 2009 - 5:56 pm:

Where is Ann on this thread? The real answer is to ask Ann, and she will accurately predict the eve of foaling....

And no Teri-- it wouldn't help at all to know when she was bred. Sorry!
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Sunday, Jun 14, 2009 - 8:59 pm:

considering that a friends horse just went past 390 days from her breeding date before she finally delivered a healthy but small colt, I guess your'e somewhat right on that elk, LOL, but just knowing when she concieved would be a little bit more helpful than not knowing anything at all
Member:
akila

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 4:30 am:

I have an Irish draught mare currently four weeks overdue - have been told not to worry till she gets to six weeks ...She waxed merrily ten days ago and has done nothing since then. Happy days - all of mine foal out in the field but so far the weather has been good as I traipse out there at odd hours during the night. She hardly even looks pregnant as she is such a large mare - here is a pic of her one her due date looking perfectly streamlined! Ten days ago she starting waxing, then stopped ... one of these nights it will happen. annabell due
Member:
dres

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 9:59 am:

I had a mare exactly 363 days out.. both foalings.. all tho , she did not look as slim lined as your mare above.. boy from the pix she looks like she can hold out a while:-(

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 11:16 am:

Teri
LOL about why she kept getting rounder and rounder hehehehe
So do you have any inkling of the sire?
Cheers, leslie

Akila
Ive been wondering if she foaled yet. That look on her face is tooo funny.
I think she likes making you play the guessing game!
Member:
akila

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 11:31 am:

She is laughing at me - no doubt about it ... I think I won't check on her tonight and see if she pops it out then ...
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 11:44 am:

leslie, we are thinking she was bred to a Belgian stud since the lot that she was kept on is owned by a man who thinks there is nothing wrong with breeding every mare that comes onto his property to his draft studs!
I personally wish someone would take him out behind his barn and whoop some sense into him for being so irresponsible!
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 12:20 pm:

Teri
What a creep! That is the height of irresponibilty...Breeding his unwanted mares headed for rescue. Shameful.
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 12:48 pm:

Yes, and whats really sick is that most of the mares that end up on his lot are sold to a kill buyer so he's basically sentencing 2 innocent lives to a horrible death! I'm so glad that I was able to save this girl, but it really is disheartening to know that there are so many others that I couldn't save!
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 1:50 pm:

OMGSH!
I bet he breeds them because he gets more $$ on the pound. EWWWWWW.
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 1:52 pm:

I don't know if thats it or he just thinks everything should be bred! he supposedly has over 40 dogs too that reproduce at their leisure! like I said, he needs someone to stomp some sense into him!
Member:
canter

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 4:31 pm:

Teri, most cities/towns have limits to how many animals someone can have on their property. I certainly can't speak to what those are in your area, but if you truly want to help put an end to this disgusting and irresponsible neighbor, take a look at what your local statutes are, and if he's exceeded those numbers, turn him in.

Before you do that, though, you may want to double check on the health of your local animal rescue/humane society. They are the ones that take over the responsibility of the impounded animals and many have very stretched resources right now.
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Monday, Jun 15, 2009 - 8:12 pm:

Hi Fran, I wish I knew where it was he lived because I'd definately turn him in! but I only know "of" him and haven't had the displeasure to actually meet the man, which is problably in his best interest because he'd get more than an ear full if I did!
Member:
canter

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 - 7:19 am:

Oops, sorry Teri...I was under the impression that he was a neighbor.
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009 - 10:40 am:

no apologies needed Fran I'm thankful he's NOT my neighbor, LOL! From what I've heard he's been like this close to forever and is probably just one of those that somehow slips through the cracks of the system
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 11:30 am:

O.K., so my mare was showing all the signs of foaling last week, (huge udder and enormous belly!), and now this week other than a swollen udder and a bigger than normal belly she hardly looks or acts bred at all! Am I missing something here????
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 12:44 pm:

LOL
Sounds like your mare has a sense of humor!
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 3:21 pm:

Heh, Teri, welcome to foal watch! Edema comes and goes with these girls. When my maiden mare was 15 days overdue, I told my vet I thought she was going to resorb the foal, like a rabbit.

If you keep her moving around, you'll get fewer false alarms from edema. Otherwise, it's up to the foal and to the mare....
Member:
mrose

Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 6:09 pm:

Sounds like SOP to me! Brood mares just love it when you get anxious and loose sleep. This is how they assure themselves that you'll be too tired to stay awake and watch when they actually do foal! LOL.
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 - 7:38 pm:

you gals are so right! she does looks like she's laughing at me Lesie, and elk and Sara I'm taking a deep breath and reminding myself what this foaling business is all about, (it's been a good 10 yrs since I was in the breeding business)!
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009 - 2:50 pm:

Hi, we are still patiently waiting for the arrival of our foal, but I was just curious as to whether or not it's normal for the mares udder to fill to burtsing and then shrink back up?? She still has a fuller bag than normal and her teats are more pronounced but the bag itself is WAY smaller than it was a week ago! Her belly isn't looking quite as "round" either and I'm assuming thats because the foal has changed position. Am I just being paranoid or is this something I should address with my Vet?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 25, 2009 - 10:08 am:

Yes mares will wax and wane a bit in the degree of fullness Teri particularly when standing up and then let out. But we cannot judge from here if your mare is having problems and if you are concerned about something you don't understand this is a good time to call the vet.

Often taking a horses vital signs helps with understanding if there is something serious is going on, for more on this see Diseases of Horses » First Aid » Taking Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration.
DrO
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Thursday, Jun 25, 2009 - 1:11 pm:

Hi Dr. O, I have checked her vitals and all is normal and well. I think that with not knowing when she was bred I am just a little frustrated at trying to guess her foaling date.
If she appears to be in distress of any kind I will call my Vet immediately, but for now I'm thinking I just need a good dose of patience for myselfThanks for letting me vent here!( my husband is getting quite tired of my ranting)
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jun 26, 2009 - 9:27 am:

Hey, it's what we are here for.
DrO
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 6:43 pm:

OK, so we're still waiting, but today my mare is showing signs of discomfort,(biting at her sides, kicking at her belly, irritability), a slightly elevated respiration rate,what appeared to be very slight muscle contractions in her flank area, the veins on her legs and abdomen are standing out and her bag is quite full (but no waxing or dripping). She is also not too interested in her food. Do these sound like signs of a foal arriving soon?
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 8:09 pm:

my vote is 3:23AM
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 8:25 pm:

Maybe Teri, but pregnant mares can still colic as well. Make sure she's drinking, pooping, and that temp., membranes and gut sounds are normal. I worry that I'll miss a colic waiting for a foal, so just keep that in the back of your mind as well. But yes, that behavior isn't unusual towards the end, though I have seen it start as early as 4 weeks prior to actual delivery (sorry).
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 9:00 pm:

thanks elk, yes she's eating, drinkin' and poopin so I'm pretty sure theres no colic worries, she is just horribly uncomfortable and like I've said before, with not knowing her conception date it makes it all the more stressfull because I don't know where we're at on our days! She has been playing with me for the past 3 weeks so I'm hoping she's starting to tire of the "lets see how long my human can go without sleep" game and give in and foal, LOL
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jul 2, 2009 - 8:13 am:

Let's clear up the language a bit above so that understanding is clearer. By definition she IS colicky but very mildly so and often that is an indication that the stork is coming soon. Careful monitoring is required in case this turns out to be something else.
DrO
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Thursday, Jul 2, 2009 - 10:56 am:

Thanks all and especially Dr. O, you are very right to point out the possibility of colic and I'm keeping a very close eye on her just in case! I think I'm just being a "nervouse nelly" with this mare because with her being a rescue horse I know absolutely nothing about her history!
We do have milk, white in color, on her nipples this morning so we're getting a little closer
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Thursday, Jul 2, 2009 - 11:06 am:

LOL
K, I wanna change my vote to 3:23 Am on sat.
Member:
dres

Posted on Thursday, Jul 2, 2009 - 3:42 pm:

I want a pix of her teats.! White milk . hum? could be with in a week .. need photos please.. !

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 - 4:48 pm:

Hi All! Well she finally gave it up, LOL and delivered a pretty, big boned black filly at around midnight last night! I missed the actual bith of course due to the call of nature but Mama did a great job and her and her filly are doing great! Here are a couple of pics taken with my phone and I'll get some more after I can tear myself away and go to town for batteries for my camera![IMG]https://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn248/poorboysbrat/newbaby27709.jpg[/IMG]
Member:
dres

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 - 5:09 pm:

ahhh i win i win... with in the week.. do i get more pictures..?

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 - 5:22 pm:

Congrats Teri! Well done. Me,too. I want more pics. That mare and baby will be just fine while you run to town for batteries!
Member:
zarr

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 - 5:42 pm:

Congrats on your "Midnight Sonata" mother nature always has impeccable timing just doesn't always tell. :-)
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 - 7:52 pm:

Congrats Teri
What lil cutie:-) Love those ears!
More pics...and kudos to Ann!

Cheerio
Leslie
Member:
lvmyhors

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 - 9:16 pm:

Thanks everyone! And congrats to Ann for guessing the closest! I'll have to think of a prize for you, Ann! And Cindy, love the name "Midnight Sonata"! it's going on my list of names to choose from, LOL!
And those ears let me tell you all about those precious ears!The wind has been blowing extra hard today and the poor little girl has been having a horrible time holding them up straight, LOL! I've taken a bunch more pics but in each one she looks like her ears are broken so I'll get some more tomorrow when the wind has died down!
Member:
dres

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 - 10:49 pm:

I LOVE BIG EARS.. If i could cross a donk with a nice Hano and get some good size ears , not DonK ears but large.. i would be a happy camper.. both my mares have nice mare's ears.. love to see a floppy ear photo.. pleaseeeeeee


On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
canter

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 7:04 am:

Congratulations, Teri! She's adorable!
Member:
jjrichar

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 10:40 am:

Congrats Teri! So glad all went well. She's definitely big boned! Can't wait to see how she fills out. :-)
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 8, 2009 - 3:45 pm:

Me too Ann! I love them big ears on horses. I think it looks cool and they are smarter too!
So yeah I second the ear photos
L
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