Foaling Question

[LittleMiss]

My mare is due in 2 weeks. She is a mare I bought to get out of a bad situation and I did not breed her.

So far, she has no bag (well, her ****s are a bit bigger than a mare not in foal). This morning she did not want to come out of her stall but with some encouragement she did. She was turned out with a senior Shetland mare I adopted. While watching her today, I noticed she was eating less than normal. No biggie, but then she was laying down more than usual. She would occassionally kick at her belly, then quickly turn to the fence and scratch her butt.

The thing that concerns me is that around her vulva is really hard and protruded. Almost like a baby is just there waiting to be pushed out. While standing it looks almost normal but when lying down, she looks like she's ready to push.

My worry is that last year she had a dead foal. Before that, apparently she had a foal that had to be bottle fed. I don't know if it was because of her not letting the foal nurse, or if she did not develop a bag.

And before people say call the vet, I live in an area where the most technologically advanced piece of equipment we have is a stethoscope, and a week long wait for a very old x-ray machine.

So right now, I'm depending on you guys unless there is a dire emergency. Even then I'm looking at 45 minutes wait in the best of circumstances.

I don't want to loose this mare or her baby, and its my first mini.

 

[Magic]

When you say your mare is due in two weeks, at what gestation are you figuring? People figure minis to be due at widely varied gestations.

Also, can you get any milk out of your mare? Even just a drop or two can tell you a lot about how close she may be to foaling.

I have no idea about the vulva thing you are seeing, I hope someone else can help with that!

 

[LittleMiss]

I'm going to check tonight to see if I can get any "milk". The only gestation I am going by is from her previous owners, who did not have a clue.

I'm just worried for her. I don't want a repeat of a dead baby or foaling complications. As much as I want a healthy baby, I want a healthy mom too.

I just hope I get two healthy mini's in the end.

 

[Magic]

The best way to try to ensure a live foal and mare, IMO, is to make every attempt to be present at the birth. Much more difficult than it sounds, since we never know when a mare is going to foal. During foaling season I pretty much give up any semblance of a normal life, and go into "Mare Stare Zombie Mode", where all that matters is the mares and the wellbeing of them and their imminent foals. I have friends who are in awe of my dedication (can you say "anal"? LOL) and my family thinks I'm crazy.

Sorry, I'm rambling, it's surely the Mare Stare Zombie Mode's fault, as I have one mare at 348 days and one at 347 days and I'm a bit tired. I never expected them to go this long (shoulda seen it coming though, since I didn't expect it!)

Do you know why her foal was dead last year? It may be that it didn't get out of the sac at birth, which is a simple and easily remedied problem if you are there for the birth. When her foal before that was bottle-fed, was it her first foal? Is it possible for you to get Domperidone if it's a fact of the mare not having milk, rather than that she rejected the foal?

I'm trying to think of what else could be pertinent....

 

[wc minis]

How is your mare doing today?

 

[Songcatcher]

"Due in two weeks", is a very relative term. Some deliver at less than 300 days and some will cary 360 or more. I have seen mares who made up bag a month ahead of foaling and some who did not look like they would have any milk at all 3 days before foaling, who made up quickly and were well prepared by the time the foal arrived.

If your mare lost her foal last year and the previous year's foal had to be bottle fed, you may very well have bought a problem mare. I have no idea what you paid for her, but sometimes when they are very cheap, there is a reason why. So many newbies get a mare very cheap or are trying to "help one out" and they wind up with a lot of trouble.

It's very hard to diagnose if there is a problem or not without seeing the mare. Is there someone close to you with experience? That would be very helpful. Of course, there is the possibility that her last two foals were just bad luck and all will go perfectly this time. Good luck with her.

 

[Joanne]

The thing that concerns me is that around her vulva is really hard and protruded. Almost like a baby is just there waiting to be pushed out. While standing it looks almost normal but when lying down, she looks like she's ready to push.

This is something we notice as the mare gets ready to foal and we do note it on her records.

As far as when she is "due", I give minis an eight week window.

We have had live foals from 280 days to 363 days.

I wish I could say they repeated each year, but they do not.

The only thing predictable about a pregnant mare is that she is unpredictable!

 

[Miniv]

[As far as when she is "due", I give minis an eight week window.

We have had live foals from 280 days to 363 days.

I wish I could say they repeated each year, but they do not.

The only thing predictable about a pregnant mare is that she is unpredictable!

Totally agree with Joanne.

If you can, start doing as much reading as possible.........There are a lot sources right here on line. Google may be your best friend right now.

Kim of Crayonbox Miniatures has some excellent resource pages to look at.

And we have some "horse health pages" about breeding and foaling as well...........

http://www.miniatureventures.com/ismymarepregnant.html

 

[debjs]

Where are you located? Maybe someone from this forum is close to you and can help. Pictures may help the forum also, to try and see what's happening. I don't have my mini yet, but these people on this site are incredibly informative. Wish you the best