maiden mares/problems

TPs flat rock acres · Mar 15, 2011

Just wondering how often is there problems with Maiden mares having foals? Is this very commen in them vs. a mare that has had foals before. I have 4 maiden mares and with all of the post about problems it make me nervous. I know they all start out as maiden mares but just wondering if the problems are more commen in them or is it just mother nature and how it happens doesnt matter of what the mare is.

Becky · Mar 15, 2011

From my experience, most maiden mares are 'tight' and I generally assist delivering their foals. However, all of mine have been very good mothers and take to it like a duck to water.

TPs flat rock acres · Mar 15, 2011

Thanks

Its funny as I never really thought about it but worry as to what lies ahead with my girls and pray that everything goes well for them. Its like that with dogs as well. My hubby talked to someone who raises race horses and he told the guy we are expecting foals from first time moms. His comment was...oh good luck with that.

With anything a first time mom its new to them and problems can arise with anything whether it be dog, horse or human. I just wastn't sure if the percentage is higher with the new moms.

Matt73 · Mar 15, 2011

Becky said:
From my experience, most maiden mares are 'tight' and I generally assist delivering their foals. However, all of mine have been very good mothers and take to it like a duck to water.

Ditto. Lex's first foal in '09 was a very tight squeeze. She tore her cervix getting her out. But it was looked after promptly after developing an infection after a day or two (no stitches needed and just a uterine flush with antibiotics and oral antibiotics)...and she was fine, was not bred for 2010 (obviously), and is now at 265 days gestation with her second foal

She was a fantastic mom with her first foal (even with the hoopla)

supaspot · Mar 16, 2011

Ive had no problems with birthing but Ive found the maidens tend to be a bit over protective to start with and arent keen on letting the youngster play with other foals , they soon get over it though !

Miniv · Mar 16, 2011

I agree with Becky and Matt about maidens being "tight". Their pelvic area is narrower, but the following year it seems to be wider from stretching and the next birth is easier.

Other issues with maidens we've had include -- not forming a big bag until the last moment (making milk testing difficult to impossible), having ultra tender udders (or just not used to the pressure) so they aren't sure about how to deal with a newborn trying to nurse, and finally - being a little over protective with her new baby.

Every mom can be different.

iowa · Mar 17, 2011

I've had many foals here and it seems we have had more trouble with our older mares. I don't know why that would be. We lost one three years ago when they couldn't get the foal and had to put down the mare. That one was her 8th foal. Another mare had two dystocias in a row and she had had several foals before as well. The maiden ones might have been tight, but seemed to present the foal in the correct position and delivered normally. I was there for almost all of them, so help young and old the same. It's a guessing game on who might have trouble. There seems to be no way to make a prediction.