Older maybe pregnant minis?

Miniature Horse Talk Forums

Help Support Miniature Horse Talk Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

lopez948

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2015
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I have recently adopted a 24 and 21 year old, they have both been running with a stallion. My question is what are the chances they are bred at that age? Also what should I do special needs wise if so? I have experiance with quarter horses and paints but not minis
 
Quite possible. If so, how far along might they be? What ever information you might have on them.

Come join the Mare Stare section, the gang over there love to talk about expecting minis and help share any information and anxiety about pregnancy and all that goes with it.
 
Thanks! Im not sure when they would be due, they were with stud from june of last year until feb 1st of this year
 
Minis often go a bit shorter gestation than full-size horses, so about 320 days, but can go as early as 300 days with a healthy foal (they can also go longer, I know of a couple that went about a full year). 300 days is about 10 months, so if they were with the stallion from June, they could go as early as April, but more likely May (if he caught them their first cycle together). The WeeFoal 120 test is pretty good for checking to see if they are even pregnant (most vets won't palpate or US a mini, and I've heard the blood test isn't overly reliable).
 
That's a large window. You could always have the vet do a blood test. But like chanda said weefoal 120 is good. If you get pictures from the side, from behind we can see if they look a bit lopsided. Also if they are pregnant they will be lower hanging bellies. Not tight fat round ones. And doubtful they are maidens so pictures will be very helpful. Congrats on your new girls.
 
I have a fair number of broodmares of that age. If they were exposed and are capable of getting pregnant they likely are. I'd get some weefoal 120's and find out for sure. Of course if they are far enough along, you will feel the babies kicking at suppertime or breakfast when they are eating their grain. Put your hand just in front of the udder and wait. You'll feel a thump or a flutter that is clearly not normal in a non pregnant mare. Good luck. And keep us posted on the results.
 
Ditto to what weerunner posted. We also have several mares in that age range. Meal times are the best for feeling foal movement. And if they are further along you'll feel definite kicks. I also place my hands on their sides, not just in front of the udder. If all you get is the "flutter" movement, then they aren't as far along. The absolute earliest I've felt a hint of movement is at 5 months gestation....They've been about at 8 months when I've started feeling kicks.....and then eventually you'll SEE them!

As they begin to show, the best way to look at them is straight on from front or back. Their sides will be sticking out lopsided because the foal is growing only in one horn of the uterus...either the right or left side.
 
Thanks everyone!! I have to get a camera mine is broken lol. Iwill def get the wee foal 120. Both mares have had foals in the past but i think its been 2 years ago for 1 and 3 for the other. Also would I havr to do anything special to register the foals if they are? Owner said they may be expired due to age
 
Registration is a whole different issue..... The mares AND the stallion have to have papers to the SAME registry -- AMHA or AMHR. Some minis have papers with both.

Both registries require that the stallion owner file a Stallion Report. If it hasn't been done, it can still be filed with a late fee.
 
Need to add that the owner of the stallion would also have to give you a service of breeding form which would accompany the registration application on the foal.

All these forms are available on line at the registries' website.
 
she did file a breeding report and said she would help me register the foals if they are bred, she just mentioned that due to the age of the mares the papers may be expired?
 
Not sure what the gal is smoking.....sorry, but that's a bunch "carp"....The mares' papers only expire because of their DEATH.

What age is a horse supposed to be to make their papers expire I wonder?
 
Perhaps she means that neither mare's papers were brought current with their respective registries

My Spanky currently is in revoked status with AMHA and still temporary with AMHR. I decided to wait on transfers and updates until I had him gelded, since I am paying for multiple transfers. (Previous owner didn't transfer him with registries, so I pay for hers AND mine.) The registries told me it's less expensive to bring his papers up-to-date as a gelding, so I waited.

To a lay person....his papers are expired.
 
Temporary papers do expire, but with late fees, they can be brought up to date. I bought a teenage stallion several years ago that still only had temp papers, so paid dearly to bring him permanent, and he's worth every penny.
 
hmmm papers do not say temp... my yearling filly is on temp papers but not the older gals
 
And you might want to ask if they are listed on the stallion service report. If they are pregnant and she didn't file the report, she can file a late report so the foal(s) can be registered.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top