Average days of mini gestation?

[wendyluvsminis]

I have looked on-line to try to pin down an average mini gestation length, with-out any success. How long do your minis normally go?

 

[HGFarm]

335 is average for a Mini, with some even foaling before that. I have had them foal at 310 and 321 days with a 'fully cooked' foal.

 

[Raine Ranch Minis]

I have heard anywhere from 300 - 320 is average, but can go longer. I have not had a foal yet so no experiences. But I will have my first foal this year!!

 

[Genie]

330 early

340 average

350 full term

Those numbers come from the Dream Horse Foaling calculator.

Our mare that just foaled foaled at 338 days.

 

[Charlotte]

Ours are generally in the three teens to three twentys. We have had live healthy foals born as early as 291 days gestation.

We have also had one born in the 350s and occasionally one in the 340s, but most here are 3 teens and 320s.

Charlotte

 

[drmatthewtaylor]

I think 326 is 'true' average for a mini, but the 'normal' range is from 300-365. I have had <300 foals do fine.

Do remember that there is no right amount. Mares tend to be about the same year to year and tend to be about the same as their mothers.

Species with longer gestations tend to have a wider range while species with shorter gestations tend to have a narrower range (ie, dogs and cats).

Dr Taylor

 

[ohmt]

Ours usually go right around 330-340, but many of our mares are related in some way. It can really depend on the mare....or year! We have a few mares that go back to a mare named Arc Vicki and they all go about 350-360.

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

I have not had a mare reach the 330 day mark yet. 329 was the longest gestation any of my mares have gone and Wendy you own that one LOL! I start watching my mares closely at 290 days and then generally bring them in to a foaling stall around 300 days.

 

[kaykay]

Mine mostly foal around day 335

 

[Lucky-C-Acres-Minis]

We've had foals anywhere from 310 to 350, all healthy.. Our "average" would be within the 320-330 range.

 

[Magic]

Our average is 320 to 330, have had foals as early as 291 and as late as 365. Our mares don't generally foal in the same time frame each year though, they seem to like to keep me guessing.

 

[ClickMini]

I have had three foals born here, one was at day 310, and two of them were at day 325, different dams.

 

[Riverrose28]

Most of my mares deliver around 330 to 340 days, but I have three mares, one is the mother, two daughters and they have delivered at 305 and 310 days from the first recorded breeding. All foals alive but the 305 days old fillt this past year lacked body fat but is now a fine and sassy yearling.

 

[Bess Kelly]

Size of mare has been a factor. My smaller mares generally foal 300-312 days, the taller girls usually go 315-330. By smaller I refer to my 27 - 30" mares. I used to hand breed all so kept excellent service records and followed dates. Have had a couple <300.

 

[Dona]

My experience over the last 20 years of breeding has been pretty much the same as Bess'.

Mine have averaged 300 - 325......some being even less than 300 days looking "fully cooked"

 

[supaspot]

last year most of mine foaled at 334 days

 

[Tremor]

My mares reach their due dates with ease and go on past about a week before foaling. Last year my mare went 349 days. I'm expecting the same.

 

[Miniv]

Since our mares are covered several times during a cycle, we don't count DAYS. The general gestation for horses is 11 months. We document and watch for development as time approaches. They can foal from 2 weeks prior to 2 weeks after the witnessed breeding.....so physically checking and milk testing, etc. is essential.

Even with folks who hand breed, physically checking and milk testing comes in handy. Our girls have NOT been taught how to read the book(s) about "foaling the easy way".

 

[REO]

Minis do vary widely. I don't think minis have a "set" gestation.

I'm always afraid when newer to breeding/foaling people ask that question and everyone tells them 330-340. And sometimes the new people come back telling how they lost the foals in the sac because they were not extecting them to foal yet.

I think "early" or "late" is normal within family lines. And EARLY in foal nutrition IMO plays a role.

We've been in minis 18 years and having foals for 17. All of ours have been born fully cooked from 291 to 330.

MOST of mine are born 296-320. I have a few mares that foal around 310-305.

The best advise is EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!

 

[Tremor]

Since our mares are covered several times during a cycle, we don't count DAYS. The general gestation for horses is 11 months. We document and watch for development as time approaches. They can foal from 2 weeks prior to 2 weeks after the witnessed breeding.....so physically checking and milk testing, etc. is essential.

Even with folks who hand breed, physically checking and milk testing comes in handy. Our girls have NOT been taught how to read the book(s) about "foaling the easy way".

That's what I do also, since my mares are with our stallion. I do however take the last breeding date known (witnessed breeding) which is usually when my stallion looses interest in the mares, and use that as my conception date so I can keep track of a pattern. But of course, milk and other signs are the best way to go for me.