Help with pregnancy question

[happy appy]

Well I am new here to start and I have a question. I have had a mare and cryptiod colt together for 4 years. They were both rescues that arrived within a month of each other about 4 years ago. They have been penned together for that whole period. The colt has both testicles retained and the vet said that since the mare has never had a heat in the 4 years that I have owned her that wouldn't be a problem. The mare was 2 when she arrived and the colt just 1 year old. Well in the spring of last year I seen him mount the mare for the first and only time. The mare is in foal. Had the vet check to comfirm. Now my question is do minis carry for 340 days? 326 days? 320 Days? I have found all different dates on the web. I thought I would come here and ask what actual breeders had as a concensus.

 

[Songcatcher]

Welcome to the Forum. Interesting situation you have as there are many who say a true crypt cannot impregnate a mare.

Regarding the length of pregnancy, it can vary anywhere from less than 300 days to close to 400. Most of mine have been around 335, but one as short as 287 and one as long as 360.

 

[TheCaseFamily00]

Just wanted to say hello and welcome

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[Becky]

Welcome to the Forum!

As Songcatcher said, miniatures can carry all over the place. From under 300 days (not often) to up over 340 days. I would venture to say that 320 - 330 is probably the norm. Best advice is to watch the mare for changes particularly in udder development. Udder fullness is the best sign of impending parturition.

 

[LAZY J MINIS]

WELCOME! MOST MARES CARRY ABOUT 330 DAYS. OF COURSE THERE ARE THOSE WHO LIKE TO MESS WITH THE AVERAGES. IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE DEED WAS DONE THERE IS A FOALING CALCULATOR ON BAER CREEK MINIS. USUALLY MOST ACCURATE ON DATES. LET US KNOW WHEN THE BIG DAY COMES.

 

[happy appy]

Well the little guy gets checked 2 times a year by the vet and nothing is hanging. lol The date they were caught in the act was April 17, 2009. I only seen tham the once in the 4 years I have owned them. The mare has never had a heat that we have seen. I am with them every day as they are kept at home so I would have noticed something.

I just wanted to be able to make sure that I'm not away on business anytime that she might be foaling out. Hubby really isn't good at things like that. He past out the day a stray barn cat started to have kittens in the barn.

 

[Bess Kelly]

If the kittens were a problem, don't let him in the barn when this happens.

Just wanted to add -- I have both the tinies and the tall ones. My little mares ALWAYS have a shorter gestation. 27-29" mares run the 295-310 norm, the 34"36" gals generally hang at the 340 mark. This may help with the initial sense of what will be most likely for her. BUT like Becky said, watch for the udder development starting about 30 days out. Then, the maidens can be a mind boggler for a schedule. Oh, if you don't already, practice handling her all around her legs, rear end, udder, etc. She needs to be very confident of your hands.

Clear as mud, right?

 

[happy appy]

My vet had encouraged me to start handling the mare around her udder. She is great about it. I can wash, towel dry them fine. I even started to pull on the teats a little now to make sure she is Ok with the foal suckling. She just watches me while I do it.

Now the mare is 36 inches so I guess she most likely will go to the 340 mark. lol I will keep up updated on how things go. BTW the mares name is Sugar Crisp and the stallions name is Coco Puff so the kids have already named the foal Sugar Puff. I ended up picking up 3 weanlings this summer in a SPCA seizure. I have named them Apple Jack (Coco's pasture buddy now) Cheerio and Bo Berry. Can you tell my kids are big cereal eaters?lol

 

[picasso]

Love the names and welcome to the forum from Kentucky. Hope everything goes well with the foaling. And sounds like you better definitely plan to leave Hubby in the house when it's time for Sugar Puff to arrive in the world. LOL LOL

 

[ohmt]

I LOVE the names!!

Ohhh those stallions...they sure are sneaky aren't they??

My grandma bought a mare that was pastured with a yearling colt for a few months in the winter-colt wasn't dropped and it was winter so the mare wasn't cycling....safe, right??

Along comes December...and a beautiful loud tovero filly born in a snowbank in BELOW ZERO TEMPS!!! AGGHH!!

The little filly was just fine though...she was amptly named "Ono"

 

[happy appy]

Well we were sure we were safe after the first year and nothing. But after 4 years of being together I'd never think that they would finally do the deed.