labor questions

[spencergirl]

purchased 17yr old pregnate mare 4-6, due 2 foal may-june been tring 2 get a vet out 2 check her but no luck she is VERY much under weight b4 2 night u could see ribs and hips 2night she is very plump 4 her still not as big as my joeyboy, her temper is worse than usual, she keeps lifting her leg nipping at her belly, squating 2 pea, laying down just not her self. she isn't colicy she is still pooping eating and drinking. farrier was out he says she can't b in labor her teets r not waxed. any ideas what is up with my mare?

 

[Scoopiedoo]

Is her udder full? She does NOT have to be waxed to be ready to foal, some do and some don't! How are her poops? ( I know that's quite a question..but pertinent sometimes) From the sound of it, I'm thinking maybe a May due date.

Jodi

 

[Miniv]

Ditto to Scoopiedoo's post. Mini mares do NOT wax all the time. Check her udder/bag for fullness and if you can get some liquid, feel how sticky it is. As she gets close the liquid will be like maple syrup or honey-sticky. Also, continue to feel the muscles on each side of her tail. As she gets close these muscles will get very mushy. I call it a "jello-butt".

MA

 

[spencergirl]

Is her udder full? She does NOT have to be waxed to be ready to foal, some do and some don't! How are her poops? ( I know that's quite a question..but pertinent sometimes) From the sound of it, I'm thinking maybe a May due date.

Jodi

her poop is normal for her i think her udder looks bigger. the farrier said he didnt think she even looked pregnate but he said she was long and that could hide a baby and he didn't see the shape i brought her home in i didnt think she was pregnate at first either or i dont know i would have brought her home i just felt sorry for her. he gave me a number 2 another vet i can try in the morning i am just worried bcause i have her turned out with my gelding and i was told he would kill the colt i cant put up another lot til i finish finals at school next week. what do i need to do for her do i need to put a rush on another lot?

 

[PaintedMeadows]

I would put a rush on another lot. you never know with these girls and it is better to be safe than sorry. I have a friend who's mare foaled this morning. last night she was showing no signs, no bag or anything and this morning, baby!

 

[Scoopiedoo]

I would put the rush on the new lot. And I have more questions...

You said you think her bag looks bigger, is it like a handful, or more? Have you touched it? Like MA asked, is it hard? Does she have jello-butt? These mares are tricky! Kudos to you for bringing her home. Thank you for loving her.

Jodi

 

[Marty]

You need to get the vet out so pursue that. I don't know why you have been unsuccessful in that, but it may be that you are a minor and you may have to have your parent's make the call for you.

It is impossible to know what you are dealing with so your vet is really your only answer. Is it possible that your mare is not pregnant? Your farrier may be right. Because these also can be signs of other things as well. Horses can be so very deceiving. It is possible that being underweight, she is suffering from malnutrition, sand, and worms and this would be enough to give her a belly.

And yes, if she is, you need another lot with a very good fence and a very good shelter for mommy and baby and this should be done right away.

I wish you all the best and do keep us posted. Good luck to you and your mare.