Pregnant mini mare advice

[Luna]

Hello! Just wanted to say I’m thoroughly enjoying reading everyone’s threads! So glad I found this site!!
I have a 7 year old maiden mini mare. Breeding dates were the first week of July and the first week of August. I purchased her confirmed in foal in January.
I do have experience with full size horse foaling but this is my first mini.
I’ll post some pictures just looking for opinions I just don’t find her very big and don’t see much udder development. I’m guessing she’s still has another 4-6 weeks to go though but I’m starting to monitor.

 

[Pitter Patter]

She's really got quite an udder for a maiden mare, more so than my "experienced" mare had at delivery! I'm impressed I think I'd say continue to watch her very closely because you never know! Keep us updated!

 

[Luna]

That’s great! I definitely plan to keep posting progress! Everyone seems so nice and encouraging on here!

 

[JFNM miniatures]

She's really got quite an udder for a maiden mare, more so than my "experienced" mare had at delivery! I'm impressed I think I'd say continue to watch her very closely because you never know! Keep us updated!

Yes, I agree, she is developping quite an udder for a first time mom. Maiden mares usually develop less udder than that. Is there some way you can test her pH levels ? Because she is a maiden mare, I don't think I'd relax my vigilence at this stage. Things can changes very fast !

 

[Pitter Patter]

Yes, I agree, she is developping quite an udder for a first time mom. Maiden mares usually develop less udder than that. Is there some way you can test her pH levels ? Because she is a maiden mare, I don't think I'd relax my vigilence at this stage. Things can changes very fast !

And Luna, as an aside, looks like you are in Canada. Lots of folks on this site from Canada as well. Maybe one of them is even somewhat nearby?

 

[Luna]

Oh ok thanks! Yes I do have test strips! I’ll start testing! Cameras are going up pronto!

 

[Luna]

And Luna, as an aside, looks like you are in Canada. Lots of folks on this site from Canada as well. Maybe one of them is even somewhat nearby?

Oh cool! I was wondering if there was anyone fro Canada! That’s great!

 

[Taz]

Great you've got a camera going up! Maidens are hard to figure out, the test strips might help you be able to get a bit more sleep while you wait and watch.

 

[Abby P]

I have absolutely nothing of substance to add to this discussion, I just wanted to say that she is freaking adorable. I LOVE her coloring!

 

[JFNM miniatures]

Oh ok thanks! Yes I do have test strips! I’ll start testing! Cameras are going up pronto!

Awesome ! We can't wait for updates !

 

[JFNM miniatures]

I have absolutely nothing of substance to add to this discussion, I just wanted to say that she is freaking adorable. I LOVE her coloring!

AbbyP, 100 % agreeing with you! She is just beautiful!

 

[Luna]

Oh gees thank you! She’s registered as a buckskin, she’s just got the sweetest temperament I just love her!! Anyway I tried to feel her udder last night to express some liquid to test and there was absolutely no way she was letting me touch under there. She’s well handled and groomed often so definitely a behaviour change!

 

[Luna]

Picture from last night for fun

 

[Taz]

So cute. Behaviour changes are good

 

[Dragon Hill]

She is beautiful! She's a sooty buckskin. I had sooty buckskin stallion years ago. You wouldn't know he was the same horse, his winter coat was such a different color than his summer coat.

 

[Willow Flats]

She is a good looking horse! I like the dark hoofs too.

 

[elizabeth.conder]

She definitely has a start to an udder. A long ways to go before your typical foaling udder. It is possible that they can foal on that but it is rare. Although obviously not impossible with Pitter Patters experience. However, that is not normal and I would expect she has a few weeks left. Maidens have a stigma that they do not get udders and do wild things, which many do. But I think part of it is because we do not know what to expect from that specific mare. All the maidens I have been around actually got very good udders. If she bred both July AND August, I would expect that she took in August. So that would put her just shy of 300 days. Does not appear that she has dropped yet. She is a beautiful mare! I usually start checking multiple times a day by 300. Mine are on camera by day 300 as well. I use Marewatchers as well, which is a program you can stream your mare with and have people help watch just by using a link. There is a group on facebook that we post our links and have numerous people watching. Helps for those long nights when you're exhausted.

 

[Luna]

Thank you so much for your response! I think she’s got another few weeks as well. Foal still very active! She has dropped a little o we the past couple days. Not much change in udder. Still quite tight in hind end

 

[Luna]

Well still not much change in Luna this week. Udder is looking about the same but her belly has gotten a lot bigger. I’m having trouble touching her udder she doesn’t even want me to touch her belly anymore. Any tips? I’ll attach some progress pictures

 

[JFNM miniatures]

Well still not much change in Luna this week. Udder is looking about the same but her belly has gotten a lot bigger. I’m having trouble touching her udder she doesn’t even want me to touch her belly anymore. Any tips? I’ll attach some progress pictures

How to do you work with her when you try to touch her ? Do you tie her with her lead to say a post or a ring on her stall wall ? I find putting the mare on crossties is better. They "dance" less from side to side, and they can't turn their heads to lash out at you with their teeth.

You could try to gently clean her udder with warm water. Some mares really like it. It will help with any itchiness that may make her sensitive.

But overall, behaviour changes is a good and normal sign/change !