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When you're worried, do what makes you feel best. No need worrying if it's bothering you that much, just have her checked, but realize she could have a while to go yet!
Penny's foaling thread.....SHE IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter Mousie96
- Start date
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So, as you may have guess from the "New" title, we still have a baby swimming around inside of her...But that's the way the vet thinks its going to stay for awhile yet.
He said he cant say for sure because he cant reach in far enough to tell me if he feels a foot or whatever it was he felt. He said that it still feels pretty low, and that it is still alive. So rest assured, for a while yet the bun is still cooking! Now, on to a question I have for you guys....What should I do for inside my barn? Unlike most on here my barn part for the horses is set up so that they can just walk in and out. Since the baby is going to be born during the coldest part of the winter (figures, right?) I want a stall set up for her. That means I have to get a gate put up in there so she cant get out, or freeze to death! What kind of gate? This little drawing is kind of what it looks like. I plan on getting straw to help keep it warm for her and the baby. Other thoughts and helpful suggestions?
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countrymini
Well-Known Member
Yay!
That's what I was thinking too! The sad part of this is I can't find small rugs! All of the rugs I find or see are much to big.
That's what I was thinking too! The sad part of this is I can't find small rugs! All of the rugs I find or see are much to big.
That's what I was thinking too! The sad part of this is I can't find small rugs! All of the rugs I find or see are much to big.
That's what I was thinking too! The sad part of this is I can't find small rugs! All of the rugs I find or see are much to big.
That's what I was thinking too! The sad part of this is I can't find small rugs! All of the rugs I find or see are much to big.
Guest
Great news! Before I ever purchased a foal blanket I used kids sweatshirts, etc. I know people have used dog blankets, or layered all different types of kid's attire.
You will want to put a deep bed of straw down -- banking it up on the sides to keep baby away from drafts. Depending on what your situation is regarding electricity, I've hung a heat lamp -- keeping it safely away from the dry straw -- and had that on overnight. Have lots of absorbent towels ready to help baby dry off initially. Don't worry -- last year we had a baby born in Alaska during cold weather, and with good attention and the 'human' mommy watching for signs of shivering, etc., this little one made it just fine. I think she even used a blow dryer to help baby dry off initially.
The stall should be roomy enough for momma to lay down comfortably to give birth, leaving enough room for you to assist should she need it. So, make it so you can comfortably be in there with her too.
This is exciting news and I'm so happy for you. I just KNEW she wasn't quite ready -- but with all the good pictures you've provided, we knew she was making some nice changes!
You will want to put a deep bed of straw down -- banking it up on the sides to keep baby away from drafts. Depending on what your situation is regarding electricity, I've hung a heat lamp -- keeping it safely away from the dry straw -- and had that on overnight. Have lots of absorbent towels ready to help baby dry off initially. Don't worry -- last year we had a baby born in Alaska during cold weather, and with good attention and the 'human' mommy watching for signs of shivering, etc., this little one made it just fine. I think she even used a blow dryer to help baby dry off initially.
The stall should be roomy enough for momma to lay down comfortably to give birth, leaving enough room for you to assist should she need it. So, make it so you can comfortably be in there with her too.
This is exciting news and I'm so happy for you. I just KNEW she wasn't quite ready -- but with all the good pictures you've provided, we knew she was making some nice changes!
I agree with what Diane has said - dog rugs will often fit young foals and a lot of folks use them. Also, give her as much space as you can in your barn - dont forget that if the weather is really bad Mom and baby may have to spend a good part of the day shut in and baby will need the room to at least have a good scamper around! If you can make a frame work for the sides and then fix boards all round to ground level to help keep baby away from any possible draughts. The deep bed (and we mean really deep) will be vitally important for foaling and during those cold winter months - baby will snuggle down into it when sleeping and that will mean added warmth and comfort.
With the rugs, the deep bedding and keeping any possible draughts away, you probably wont need a heat lamp, but if you do decide to use one, make sure it is really safe and well out of the way so Momma can't knock it or touch in at all. At least you now know that a baby s on the way and that you will have the time to get everything organised.
ps I would try to worm Penny around end November/beginning December (approx a month before foaling), then have a dose of Ivermectin ready to give her within 12 hours of her foaling. Are you in an area where the horses should have certain shots to immunise them? Also, from now on with the foal gaining weight, it will be taking more out of her, so watch her weight carefully - it is mostly better if horses go into the winter months carrying a little extra weight anyway, let alone when they are getting close to producing a baby, so she will need to start a regular feed of a good mare and foal feed pretty soon now - another thing to plan for and get organised!
Keep a good eye on her udder - any sign of it actually starting to fill properly will give you an indication of when she is likely to foal. Maybe will will have a Christmas baby??
With the rugs, the deep bedding and keeping any possible draughts away, you probably wont need a heat lamp, but if you do decide to use one, make sure it is really safe and well out of the way so Momma can't knock it or touch in at all. At least you now know that a baby s on the way and that you will have the time to get everything organised.
ps I would try to worm Penny around end November/beginning December (approx a month before foaling), then have a dose of Ivermectin ready to give her within 12 hours of her foaling. Are you in an area where the horses should have certain shots to immunise them? Also, from now on with the foal gaining weight, it will be taking more out of her, so watch her weight carefully - it is mostly better if horses go into the winter months carrying a little extra weight anyway, let alone when they are getting close to producing a baby, so she will need to start a regular feed of a good mare and foal feed pretty soon now - another thing to plan for and get organised!
Keep a good eye on her udder - any sign of it actually starting to fill properly will give you an indication of when she is likely to foal. Maybe will will have a Christmas baby??
You know I was think, my life would have been a lot easier if they pregnancy checked her when the stud had supposedly got out with her! I wish my vet had smaller hands too :-/ that way he would be able to give me a better time frame! Ok, now I am done with the I wants and I wished. ;-D
countrymini
Well-Known Member
Now I know all mares and vet hand are different sizes but my vet (skinnyish guy) reached in as far as he could with Sweety (small horse mare) and he could only just reach baby, but not enough to tell how far she was. That was three months before she arrived. That is pretty unhelpful info I know
countrymini
Well-Known Member
He said he usually uses his girlfriend for the minis but she was working elsewhere the day I had him out. lol
targetsmom
Well-Known Member
I just popped on here and see you are still waiting and asked about a gate for your foaling stall. To my mind, the safest gate is a door that fits tight and doesn't have any spaces for a little head or hoof to get caught in. I had a weanling almost hang herself on a stall gate a few years ago so learned my lesson. When the foal is older we use a stall screen, but for babies, we use a solid door that fits flush against the sill so there are no gaps.
Guest
Totally agree, Mary. I have slatted doors and stall walls, but for babies, I insert solid plywood to cover all the slats on both the walls and the door until baby is almost ready to wean!
Ok, so I have a 6' gate. The red one like you can get at a feed store. I will attach a piece of plywood to it that can't fall or anything like that. Would/could I use straight bales or hay bales to put up against the wood fence in the barn? Or should I use plywood?
MBhorses
Well-Known Member
Did she foal?
I would use more plywood - stacked bales can fall or if you only have one bale, baby can do a 'climbing' act and get trapped. Also how big is the space you are making - would the bales make it too small? We use normal 12 foot gates to make divisions in our barn and attach plywood 2/3rds of the way up from floor level - my girls like to be able to see their friends through the space at the top of the gates, but the board is too high for baby to get into any trouble.
Ok, My area for her is about 10'x8'. I will be adding extra plywood onto my gate so it fits snuggly, but I don't have the extra $84 for a new 8' or 10' gate (saving up for my first truck!). Anna, do you think you could post me a pic or two? I am pretty sure I know how to do it but would like to see someone elses setup.
She is 43" and the dad is 34-36", so I am guessing that the baby is going to be 18"-24"? Sorry I am rambling on again! How deep should the bed of straw be? I really hope I can have a Christmas or a new years baby, that way it shouldn't be as cold. I will post pics tomorrow, or atleast try!
