broodmares and the size of their belly

[SampleMM]

Hi everyone. Do you think the size of the belly is indicative of the foal's size? I'm curious because my mare is ready to foal any day now and her belly is half the size of last year.

She had no troubles last year but her foal was big. I guess I'm hoping to hear that yes, she's going to have a tiny filly with buckskin coloring, lol!!

Any thoughts, opinions are past experiences are greatly appreciated as always.

Debbie

Edited to add: My newest mare gets a huge belly no matter what size foal she has. I guess I'm confused.

 

[Julie/Azariah]

There are different amts of fluid with each foal... so maybe this one doesn't have as much fluid in there.

Just make sure you are watching her closely....did you ultrasound to confirm preg??? (pretty certain you did)

And are you sure of dates???

I have a mare who was smaller this year with a larger foal and all is well...and last year was her maiden year.... so I guess you just never know.

 

[MooreAcres]

I have two mares that I bought in foal, they are due two days apart (end of April)... one is at big as a house, while the other is tiny. Everyone thought she was open, including myself, until we caught that lil begger kicking! I am amazed at how anything can be growing in there...

 

[Miniv]

The size can vary because of the amount of the fluid, as Julie posted..........And yes it can also partly be the size of the foal. And lastly, it can be how the mare is built. A long backed mare versus a short backed, will show their pregnancy very differently.

 

[gatorbait4sure]

Lyric is as big as a house! That baby must be laying sideways......I'm worried about getting HER out! And yes, she is overdue now, can lay out flat ( at say....2 AM and again at 3:10 AM, and then ...........she is so tired, at 4:07 AM..................but she's up and ready for the day at 5:30 when I have to drag my butt outta bed.

Bleary eyed with bags..dru

 

[Becky]

Do you think the size of the belly is indicative of the foal's size?

Not really. I try to second guess what size foal each mare is going to have before foaling. Most of the time I'm surprised that the foal is bigger or smaller than expected.

 

[Charlotte]

can lay out flat ( at say....2 AM and again at 3:10 AM, and then ...........she is so tired, at 4:07 AM..................but she's up and ready for the day at 5:30 when I have to drag my butt outta bed.

Oh my Dru! I feel for you. I have two doing thae exact same thing!

As to the size of bellies, it seems here that most of the time the size of the foal influences the size of belly on an individual mare. But from mare to mare.......one may have bigger foals with a small belly and another have very small foals with a larger belly. It seems to depend on the conformation of the individual mare and the number of pregnancies they have had.

Charlotte

 

[ohmt]

I have a 28.75" mare that is no joke always as wide as she is tall when she's pregnant. She'll be that big from month 6 on...ALL of her 6 foals have been 16"-17". Just tiny!

 

[SampleMM]

Thanks everyone for your replies. The mare is definitely bred and has a nice full hard bag but I am so shocked at her size difference. She was bred back to the same stallion so I guess I'm excited to see and am praying that this foal is smaller.

Hi Dru

I feel for you. I'm pulling all nighters watching mine and spending my days at the hospital with my dad. I'm exhausted and feel like I'm back in college during finals week.