Need Opinions

[minicount]

She does not look bred to me she looks fat (the only thing she could be if not bred).

 

[DunPainted]

Fat fat fat is my call...if she was that late in breeding dates she should have the pointed v belly.  If you look at her sides it looks like "saddlebags" of fat??
Kim

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OUCH......that reply hurts and it isn't my mare!

Here is an individual asking for advice, help....obviously stressed out by trying to do the best she can for this beautiful mare. I applaud her stepping up and asking for advice from experienced members of this group.

....then there are those who just breed their broodmares, leave them out in the pasture "because horses have been foaling for thousands of years without the help of humans". For people who incorporate this mindset in their breeding program, I'd understand a vitriolic reply such as this would be in order. Then again, such "breeders" wouldn't choose to EDUCATE THEMSELVES by participating in this WONDERFUL FORUM.

Please come back, Dee......I want to hear what the vet has to say!

Cindy

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HUH?? What the..... ???

I did not see that as a "vitriolic" reply in any way... we have several brood mares here that look Just. Like. That. And yes - they sort of have "saddlebags" of fat where their flanks are filled out etc. That is why they are in the diet pen. If this mare was being fed for 2 - then of course she would get a bit portly. No need to snap at people here in that manner... yikes.

Last year one of our regular broodmares had me fooled. She went throuigh her regular phases (we cannot palpate or U/S her without causing her undue stress - even sedated - she is getting better but is an explosive type worrier... ) the same as always. I have never been wrong in "knowing" this mare was in foal before... she reached 300 days and I waited and watched... at 330 I was doubting it - despite a bit of a bag with some milk and her being restless at night. She did not have the belly drop she should have. Blood tests were inconclusive. Finally - I knew she wasn't - turned her out - eased back on the feed - and she slimmed down (a bit) and went into heat to the stallion's delight... visitors still ask me when she is due. NEXT year... if she caught.... but she put on a heck of a false pregnancy - give that girl an Oscar!

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There is more than one way to get one's point across without using a battering ram under the guise of "honesty".

Again, Dee, please don't be discouraged by insensitivity at a very emotionally sensitive time and keep us posted.

 

[bluerogue]

Well, our maiden mare DID look just like that up until the day she foaled. I was not even sure she was bred until about three or so weeks before she foaled, and even then I wasn't sure (I thought I felt a foal move, and it was Prince!). I was sure she was pregnant THE day she foaled. She developed a big V belly only on the day she foaled. SO I think your mare could very possibly be bred. Maidens are sneaky, and hide their pregnancies well. It's great that your vet is coming to check her! Soon you'll know for sure!

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=14pt]Image had that same crevace. thats why I was certain she was bred. I have deleted all the 30 image pics from my computer or I would post here. Obesity can cause that as well as fluid in the bag. [/SIZE]

image is on a diet now too in hopes of getting her bred .

Lyn

 

[Margo_C-T]

Though I would agree that there*seem*, as best can be told from the photos, aspects of the mare's appearance that might indicate pregnancy, my "vote" would be that she is not in foal. And yes, if she isn't in foal, then she is carrying excess weight/undergoing a false pregnancy. If the owner thought the mare was in foal, feeding her as if she were was reasonable-if she isn't, then yes, she got too fat on such a diet, and would need to be cut back--seems fairly straightforward, and not anything to make an issue of....

("Battering ram"? Wow! If anyone felt a need to take issue with the way a reply was stated, seems it would have been the original poster, who did ask for opinions....has 'someone' had too large a dose of "sensitivity training"?? Goodness--how about saving your ' righteous indignation' for real issues? The original poster sounded sensible in her approach and response-and not needful of anyone to get indignant on her behalf....

)

As for the "crevice"-to me, that is an indicator that she is NOT in foal; I can't recall ever seeing an in-foal mare WITH that, but I HAVE seen overweight horses with it. Not to say that some haven't had just the opposite experience, as stated-certainly, there is a LOT of variation in manifestation of signs/symptoms possible;about as many as there are individual animals! It's one of the things that keeps us on our toes-the fact that what was true of one can, and in fact may, be just the opposite for the next one!!!

 

[Minimor]

I didn't see Kim's reply as harsh or off putting, but whatever, that's not what we're here to debate

The 'crevice' also made me think MAYBE pregnant, but otherwise no, my impression is she isn't in foal. The photo of the top view of her does not show the usual uneveness of a pregnant mare's belly--they're almost always very round on one side & pointed on the other--though that uneveness is usually most obvious from the rear, it is somewhat noticeable from the top too. This mare does look to be just fat, not pregnant. In one photo the mare does look to have some enlargement just ahead of the bag--that can be the start of milk glands enlarging, but then it can be fatty deposits too. In the photos Dee has been posting of this mare, there's been nothing that indicates to me that she's near foaling, due to pop at any moment.

Expressing fluid from the bag--that isn't a reliable sign unless the mare is getting quite bagged up. We've had a yearling filly that would produce fluid from her bag, and she'd never even been bred.

I'd guess this mare is open, but I wouldn't bet money on it.

After all we once had a Saddlebred mare that people looked at & said she wasn't in foal when in fact she was 11 1/2 mos. along (she delivered a big fat colt right on 12 mos.) And then we had a Morgan mare that the vet (horse specialist) took one look at & said she was as pregnant as any of his mares (all in foal, 100% for sure) but he palpated our mare anyway & lo & behold, she was open.

So, you can't go by 'looks'--I'd be feeling for movement. Even then, some mares just don't seem to have a lot of foal movement, but if you're persistant & patient enough, if baby is in there you usually manage to feel some movement.

 

[Dee]

OK people!!! When I posted this message I thought I would get all straight "No, not bred" or "Yes, she's bred!†It’s like 50/50! LOL! Now you are just confusing me even more and I come by that naturally so I don't need anymore of that

LOL!!!!!!!!

The one thing that really makes me think its a no is that I look at our other 3 week old filly and then at Annie (the mare we are talking about) and think to myself "How can that be in there?" Just not a whole heck of a lot of room???

Then again this mare was kept on grass for 4 years when we got her and she was pretty chubby. All of our lots are dry and I was really pleased with how fast she slimmed down. She is a pretty active and playful mare so that also helped too. When we did get her however, she didn't look quite how she does chubby wise. She also didn't have that bump in front of her teats. Still I am leaning towards no, but will stay up on mare stare to be safe.

DunPainted, thanks for all the help! You have been helpful ever since I first started posting on this mare!

We will all find out soon! The vet said there is no way to miss a now 335-day foal if it’s in there. Should be start placing bets???? LOL

Dee

This was taken today

 

[Mona]

Judging by that last photo that was just taken today, I would say no, not in foal.

 

[capall beag]

No offense meant!

But judging by the last pic I would say no too!

Because she does look like a bit of a 'chunky monkey' throughout her rump and shoulder! Believe you me I am one to talk!

However, I have been checking this thread very closely because I have 1 possibly 2 maiden mares that are bred but have unknown due dates. Both of their tummies look like your mare but they are much leaner looking elsewhere. They are both getting that 'lump thingy' in fron of their bags but NO BAG! What is that lump thing?

I hope I am WRONG about your mare!!

I think I am going to be a copycat and post a pic of my mare and ask for advice!

I think all the replies are a great help! Don't you! Even if people disagree on how to respond!

Good Luck with the vet visit!

you mare looks healthy & happy!!

 

[Dee]

capall beag,

No offense taken at all. By all means post away! It has been a great learning experience for me and I am sure for others.

Dee

 

[littlesteppers]

Well..I was in your shoes about 1 year and a half ago..posted this picture and got a 60 % mare is open and 40% mare is bred..she foaled the same night the picture was posted..soooo anything is possible

 

[Dona]

However, I have been checking this thread very closely because I have 1 possibly 2 maiden mares that are bred but have unknown due dates. Both of their tummies look like your mare but they are much leaner looking elsewhere. They are both getting that 'lump thingy' in fron of their bags but NO BAG! What is that lump thing?
I

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That "lump thing" is just "edema" (fluid retention). It is common on overweight mares, as well as pregnant mares.

BTW.....based on the photos...I also think she is not pregnant.

 

[Cathy_H]

this mare was kept on grass for 4 years when we got her and she was pretty chubby. All of our lots are dry and I was really pleased with how fast she slimmed down.

Going from the above statement & the last photo taken today I change my opinion to not pregnant........ I have our stallion Omega on a weight loss diet & I have noticed his stomach was looking like that a while back. He is getting less pasture which has gradually decreased his stomach roundness. Taking that into consideration I guess the stomach has nothing else to do except sag if the grass is not there to round it out.

 

[capall beag]

Has the vet come out yet?

I am very curious to find out!

I posted pics of my mares BUT I really think they are pregnant, I swear I can see movement!

Did you think you could see movement too??

My vet told me in the past "You see what you want to see"!!

I am scared about my mares, they are both too young to be having babies!! Stressful!

Keep us posted!