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  Discussion on Huge full bag...but can't express milk
Author Message
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Monday, Mar 31, 2014 - 9:53 am:

Quick question - We have a mare due in two days. She is huge and previous ultrasounds (preg confirmation and heartbeat check) were normal and no twins were identified. Her bag is absolutely full and tight- even the teats are so full they almost merge with the bag. We normally check the color of colostrum to determine when to put her into the foaling stall and start 24/7 observation. Unfortunately we cannot express even a DrOp. I don't recall this ever happening before. She is a VERY laid back Haflinger mare with two previous pregnancies and healthy foals. Everything other than not being able to express milk appears perfectly normal. She runs up to us for treats and seems very content. Anyone ever experienced this? If you can't express milk how do you know when to put the mare under 24/7 surveillance? I assume the milk will be accessible to the foal???
Member:
mrose

Posted on Monday, Mar 31, 2014 - 11:04 am:

I never had this problem. Is there any wax accumulating? Is there heat present? More tender than would be normal? Have you tried warm compresses? That might help.
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Monday, Mar 31, 2014 - 11:46 am:

No wax. Doesn't appear to be tender. Both Walter and I have tried to get a DrOp without success and the mare never even glared at us. Doesn't seem hot. Weird huh? Will try again shortly. This close to delivery we don't want to miss it. Its tough to wait 11 months for a foal and be clueless. :-) Right now she is stepping on my last nerve!
Member:
mrose

Posted on Monday, Mar 31, 2014 - 4:19 pm:

Best way to tell re coming birth IMO is softening at tail head and relaxing of vulva. Or, get birth alarm. She may be waxing and knocking it off when she moves. I would also be prepared in case foal can't nurse. Mares can bag way up quite a while before foaling. And due dates are best guess not written in stone as you probably know.
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Monday, Mar 31, 2014 - 7:08 pm:

Well I can finally express colostrum. Completely clear. We are moving her to the paddock right by the house. It doesn't have a camera, but we can look out the window and see her. If her milk gets cloudy or white she will go to the foaling stall with cc tv. She is so huge that I hate to pen her up until we feel the birth is imminent. When she trots across the pasture now the ground shakes. She is a draft type Haflinger - 14.3 and about 1400 lbs would be my guess. Her ribs are palpable but not readily visible. She sustains herself on grass except for the end of pregnancy and lactation. She is just massive. Not the sporty Haflinger you see so much of today. Used to be a buggy, plowing, mowing horse with an Amish family in Ohio. Now she plays the keyboard, does math problems in three languages, and smiles on command. Thinks she has gone to horse heaven. :-)
Member:
mrose

Posted on Monday, Mar 31, 2014 - 10:44 pm:

LOL Judy; don't know where my mind was. I didn't realize this was you! I'm glad you can express her now. Don't you just love broodmares! LOL I swear, I really miss having them all around. Each is such an individual and each has their own way of driving you totally nuts! And, opinionated? LOL I loved them all though! Good luck. I'll wait for pictures!

Your horses have been keeping you busy lately!
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 1, 2014 - 9:36 am:

Yes, they have. :-) Starz is still happily grazing this morning. We have done the Haflinger/ Andalusian cross twice before with Starz with resultant chestnut foals with flaxen manes and tails who look like sport horses. Extremely athletic. The one who has been shown is a half Andalusian national champion. The owners were really, really happy! :-) Starz is so NOT a disciplinarian! Lets the baby run all over her, mount her, eat her grain with an "Oh well, this too will pass" attitude. Too funny. Let's hope for white milk today. I have to be in Dallas on Thursday....
Member:
mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 1, 2014 - 10:25 am:

Well, I guess we can predict when this foal will come. Thursday! LOL
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Friday, Apr 4, 2014 - 12:52 pm:

Silly Haflinger. Still no baby. Milk still clear. I, too, felt like Thursday would be the day. Had someone with her the whole time we were gone. The waiting game is getting a little bit old.... :-)
Member:
mrose

Posted on Friday, Apr 4, 2014 - 3:36 pm:

Lol I remember that feeling well. The foal will be worth waiting for I'm sure. "Mikey" ( MR Asmar) our black stallion, was a full month overdue. He caused altered vacation plans for both our family and our vet's; threats of divorce; and pure exhaustion for both me and his dam by the time he finally showed up. Hang in there!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2014 - 9:27 am:

Hello Judy,
The condition you describe in the first post occurs in some mares just prior to milk production: the tissues become swollen with edema but milk production has not started. Usually this would be accompanied by some ventral abdomen swelling.

Have you considered an inexpensive baby sound monitor in the paddocks stall? I always found being able to hear more helpful than seeing as it will alert you even if you are not paying attention to it. When the monitor is quiet there is unlikely anything bad going on.
DrO
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2014 - 12:05 pm:

Walter gave up and put her in a foaling stall last night despite the clear milk. Was worried about a newborn getting sand in his/her nose if Starz delivers in the paddock and wanted to be able to watch her via CCTV periodically. The paddock by the house is safe, completely enclosed, has grass, but the base is that fine, white sugar sand and some of that is exposed. She's back out in the paddock by the house this morning. Anyway, a baby monitor is something we hadn't thought about. Might be a solution to not having to stall a mare too early. Sara, if Starz goes a month over I might need multiple blood pressure meds. :-(
Member:
judyhens

Posted on Sunday, Apr 6, 2014 - 5:41 pm:

Her milk is finally cloudy and easy to express. Maybe tonight???? :-)
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