Wondering about time of day that mares foal

[carlenehorse]

I was curious as to who has mares that foal at the same time with every foal.

I have a mare that foaled a stillborn (1 month early) in September 2004 at 4:00 AM

Than she foaled a colt in August 2005 also at 4:00 AM.

This mare is due to foal anyday now and was wondering if she would make it three in a row at 4:00 AM.

Just wondering what everyone else experience with mares foaling around the same time everytime.

Carlene

 

[Anne]

My girls haven't ever repeated a foaling time, seems like they go from a night time foaling to a daytime foaling.

 

[carlenehorse]

Thanks Anne for responding. I have had 6 foals on my farm since I started breeding and I have never had one foal in the afternoon. It is always the dead of night for my girls. LOL

I guess they are shy.

:

Carlene

 

[Lewella]

Overall mine tend to foal between 10 pm and midnight, between 5 am and 7 am, and between 4 pm and 6 pm. I rarely have a mid day or middle of the night foal or a late evening foal. I've rarely had a mare foal the same time of day two years in a row.

 

[Little Wee Horse Farm]

All over the clock here! None I've known have had a habit of foaling at a particular time each year. Some do, however, have preferences about whether they foal inside or outside and do their best to repeat on that -- especially the "outsiders." :lol:

 

[carlenehorse]

Thanks Lewella I appreciate your response. I think maybe it is just a fluke. We shall see when she foals this one out. She is at 326 days and has a big bag. Last year her bag was big, hard and hot the day before foaling. Her bag is not hard or hot yet but she is on the monitor just in case.

Carlene

 

[Bess Kelly]

I believe they do have preferences. Many of mine have a tendancy to a "general" schedule -- with 12-2AM and 3-6AM being the most popular

: It's that middle of the night or just before dawn thing. And, of course, a privacy situation. A couple of mine prefer being in their stalls and one mare seems to hold on until she IS in there. I've had her pace at the gate to be let in -- normally it's at dinner time -- and she usually wastes no time in getting the job done.

Occassionally I've had a daytime foaling but, not real often -- and almost all have been by maidens. Thinking about it, none have repeated that so, I suppose the older gals explained about keeping us up and all that

: It's odd but, I have one mare who has had 3 foals and each one has been born on day 300.

I suppose SHE can read the calendar!

: Most will fall within a few days of their gestation time each year -- most will, just don't make the mad or they may not.

The most pitiful/sympathetic delivery I've ever had was by a mini donk (used to raise those too). This little gal was born at the farm and spoiled

She was even more people friendly than most donks -- and we all know how they are lovers! -- but, her first foal, she's in labor and just beside herself.....pacing, by the fence hollering, etc. I went out and took her out of the nice grassy paddock (where she was being watched) and put her in her stall. That wasn't enough!! I had to go in there with her to keep her from hanging her head over the door and braying. So, she's getting her way, I'm talking with her and sitting on the feed trough. Every time she had a contraction, she'd hustle over and put her head right solidly against my chest and let out the most pitiful half bray I've ever heard. When the contraction stopped, so did she.

: She soon presented a beautiful jennett foal, perfect delivery, quick and easy. Foal was a lovely spotted one like her mom -- and Fanny was immediately in love with this foal. She always shared her foal with everyone who wanted sweet face to kiss. Ahhhhh, memories.

:

 

[carlenehorse]

Little Wee Farm that is the truth. This mare will only foal in her run in shed. I have panels all around it so she can foal anywhere she wants but prefers inside the shed. My other mare loves to foal outside and I missed her foaling last year cause she had no bag what-so-ever. She had some swelling in front of her bag. This year I will put her on the monitor when I see the swelling and see what happens.

They are some sneaky little devils. LOL

Carlene

Bess those mares and donkeys are the darnest things. Last year I had my very first mini mare I bought that was in foal and due on May 25th. Well we had vacation plans we couldn't get out of. She is a 16 year old mare and my first love so my neighbor who is a small animal vet (but owns 25 large horses) said they would watch her for the week and use my monitor system. Well we walked her over there and she had a huge stall all to herself and all the workers just fell for her. Everyday they would bring her treats and love on her.

Well we got home on May 30th and that little stinker must have been crossing her legs the whole time she was there because when I got her home and later that night she delivered a little filly for me.

So I think they can prolong the pregnancy till they want to. LOL

Carlene

 

[mmmorgans]

Our first foal for 2007 was born in the middle of the afternoon. Our mare is an experienced mare and has never foaled during the day before. We just bought her last fall - so this was our first foal from her - but she had us fooled. Although I knew she was close - she didn't wax and I was thinking that she may foal sometime that night. But - she decided to foal during the day - with just my husband there (who has never helped with the foaling all by himself before). She did great - the hubbie did great - and the hubbie is totally in love with "his" colt!!!!

So - I think anytime is the answer to your question!!!!

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

I have found that whatever the first mare of the season does the rest seem to follow suit. Maybe it is just coincedence?

But if the first mare due that year foals in the daytime the rest seem to foal within 2-4 hours of her so if we had one who foaled at 10 am.. the rest seem to foal between 10-4 pm if my first one is a middle of the night the rest seem to be middle of the nights.

Of course my favorite years are the middle of the day years

:

 

[Mercysmom]

My girls haven't ever repeated a foaling time, seems like they go from a night time foaling to a daytime foaling.

Same here... over the years had day babies and night babies...

.

Early babies and late babies... dead babies (stillborns twice), dwarf babies, healthy babies....

:

Dystocias and surprise deliveries without any problems after many sleepless nights....

And I still contemplate breeding.... :bgrin :lol:

I have been asked when our Morgans will be bred (they are babies themselves!!!) and when Mercy will have her last foal....

Freedom is in heat now... and I remember her deliveryApril 24th six years ago... she could have been born dead had the outcome of her dystocia were seconds different and we could have lost her mom.... :new_shocked:

No for sure answers... just that it is ALWAYS different, ALWAYS full of emotions, ALWAYS a learning experience and ALWAYS exciting!

:

Denise

Silversong Farm

 

[carlenehorse]

I would love one of my mare (I only have 3) to have a daytime foal. That way I don't have to wipe the sleep from my eyes.

Lisa maybe your mares could talk to my mares regarding daytime foaling so that they all follow that pattern. LOL

Carlene