Message Boards > Foaling Questions & Help
is my mare pregnant?
minister man:
Thanks for letting me come aboard. I have a three year old filly. I got her early in July of last year. From March to when I got her she was in a pasture to two 18 month old colts and a 20 year old stallion, and several other mares and Geldings. The mares in that herd have started foaling a few weeks ago, so I know that the males are fertile.
The herd owner assured me that a filly that young (she was only two) would not breed. I didn't some research and knew that she was wrong when I got the filly so I was hoping a foal was a possibility. That may be clouding my judgement at this point.
IF she is in foal, she would have to foal by early June, since I got her in Early July. I have been checking her for udder off and on for a while now, but in the last few days it seems bigger. It is not rounded out like cereal bowl or anything, but her teats are longer, and hanging a couple of inches, where they were right up tight to her body.
When she is drinking cold water, I can see movement on her flank, between her ribs and hip.... Although today she seems a little sunk in there.
I have only been feeding her top quality hay all winter, but have started feeding her two handfuls of 13% Sweet feed a couple of days a go. She is outside in the day time, and in a tie stall at night. When she is out she is out with two saddle horses and a mini gelding. in a paddock not a pasture.
My big horses have 6x8 tie stalls, so I am thinking that I will build a gate for one of them and put her in it bedded down with staw, just in case. I have another turn out place that I could turn out just the two minis, I am thinking that would be better?? the big horses might run over a foal........I got in some Iodine for the navel, straw for the stall, and a child's enema to have on hand just in case. I have raised one foal before, and have delivered lots of calves, lambs, goats and piglets.
It is a lot of work to get ready for the arrival of something that I don't know if it is coming or not. The filly has a smaller belly than the gelding..... I may be getting myself all excited just to be really disappointed, but if I don't get ready, and there is a foal and I lose it, would be a far greater disappointment. If she is not in foal I can't do better at that, but if she is and I lose it because of lack of preparedness, I would have to live with it being my fault. I am going to try to post a picture and video if it will let me.
minister man:
I will try the picture this way
Holly:
Welcome to the forum . It is difficult to tell from the pictures you have posted. could you try to take a side view of her when she is squared up to you. From the behind picture my guess would be not pregnant, But many a maiden have been able to hide it very well.
I would do just as you are and prepare for a surprise foal, just in case...
If possible it would also be helpful to post pictures of her udder and update with new pictures so we can see what changes are being made, to help determine better.
Best wishes!
Holly:
I started thinking I may have been unclear in what I was asking on side view picture... I am posting a picture of my maiden mare (gypsy Vanner x Arabian bred to a small welsh stallion) This is the side view I am looking for :)
My mare is also due in June, more towards the end of june.
dcwolcott:
WELCOME~!!!!
First, maiden mares are very had to judge, since they can hold their babies up high and tight. Many times they don't even look pregnant, until voila! A foal !
So you are doing the right things in moving forward as if she's pregnant. I'd start her on a Mare/Foal feed, as this is when baby gains weight building muscle and bone during this last trimester!
For pictures try these: squat right down at her level standing behind her, and taking the picture looking toward her head. We are looking for any signs of a slightly lopsided belly.
Then, squat down again right at her level and take a full side picture. We're looking for the placement -- or hiding place -- of the baby.
And udder pictures would be great, as they will give us something to have as "our" starting point!
I am really excited for you, and don't forget to read some of the pinned threads on preparing for the birth.
Can't wait to see the new pictures, and remember, WE'RE HERE TO HELP answer ANY questions you might have as we move forward. We're all friends here, learning from each other and sharing our experiences. So, feel free to ask questions, chat and share your other animals, etc.
Seeing movement is great, and the changes in her belly's appearance sound very promising. I would agree that you need to be able to provide her a safe place for birthing and just a paddock for exercising. Being outside and exercising is great for the little mommas! Keeps them in good shape, and allows them some rolling room when they start repositioning baby. You should also provide her with a place just she and baby can pasture away from the gelding and big horses, until baby is strong. You're right, a baby can be run over with the big horses, so it's good you're being careful~~
GREAT having you here!!
~~Diane
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