The Castle Rock MARE-TERNITY WARD
Message Boards => Foaling Questions & Help => Topic started by: Lnight89 on May 15, 2016, 11:25:34 PM
-
So because it's pretty chilly here still and just incase sugar has her foal before it warms up , I started on a blanket tonight. I'm not done yet have to add straps etc but do you guys think it's too big? I've never had a mini foal so without using a pattern and just winging it I wasn't sure if I guessed right on the size haha. I plan on making another so that I have two on hand so let me know if this looks too big or too small or if I should change anything! Thanks!
-
Trying to remember how big mine are, I think I have one that's around 22" long, but I might be wrong on that measurement.
Yours looks fabulous.
Only picture I can find that has a foal wearing a blanket. My minis are mostly 36-38" tall, so this is a good size baby for a mini; I got the blanket from a friend (traded her one of the quilts I made for her mini blankets she no longer needed, as she was out of minis).
-
Oh my gosh that one is so cute :) I was going to make the second one a girl colour haha so far sugar has only had fillies and I believe the stud has had only one colt so we shall see! I'm keeping the foal so both are fine by me :)
Perfect , I think it's right about 22 inches long ( give or take half an inch haha :)
Sugar is 38 inches as well
and thank you!
-
There my daughters are much happier now that there's a girl and a boy one haha :D
-
Very cute.
Oh, just a tip or perhaps a warning. Some mares do not like blankets on their babies or it's like they don't recognize their baby after it's been blanketed, so make sure the mare can see you put the blanket on her baby, and then watch her and make sure she continues to take care of her baby once the blanket is on.
Likely will only be needed at night or on really chilly days, usually only the first few days are they necessary when the foal has trouble thermo-regulating (keep body temp stable).
-
Oh good advice Thanks! And yeah I don't even plan on putting them on them of the weather stays like today. Saturday it was only 3 out so I wanted them on stand by incase it gets silly cold again. But awesome for real thank you for the information!
-
Just cute as can be!! You can always rub outside of blanket on foal right after its born to get some of its am ll on it. Great job!!
-
That's a great idea!! As long as the blanket smells like baby, you shouldn't have a problem. I'd keep them bagged once they are completed, and take them out at the birth, especially if you have dogs or cats that might leave their smell on them.
They are adorable!!
-
Thanks :)I had way too much fun making them lol oh I definitely have dogs and cats and a million other things so that's a great idea bagging them up! Thanks :)
-
wow, well done, they are adorable. I can't remember the size of mine but I will check when I get home. My mares were a lot smaller though so not sure mine will help.
It is great that you are prepared, I am not a lover of putting blankets on babies but sometimes you have no choice.
This little guy had to wear two plus a hot water bottle when he was sleeping, the weather had turned so cold and he was having trouble regulate, it only took a week or so for him to get stronger though luckily.
-
wow, well done, they are adorable. I can't remember the size of mine but I will check when I get home. My mares were a lot smaller though so not sure mine will help.
It is great that you are prepared, I am not a lover of putting blankets on babies but sometimes you have no choice.
This little guy had to wear two plus a hot water bottle when he was sleeping, the weather had turned so cold and he was having trouble regulate, it only took a week or so for him to get stronger though luckily.
Yeah I'm hoping the weather will just stay good from here on out but our weather is so unpredictable so just in case :)
-
Ok so an update on sugar now . Not really any change! I'll take new pictures to compare when I do morning feeds.
I have another question for you all. Like I said this is my first mini pregnancy, my large mares would get a teeny bit uncomfortable towards the end but not a big enough change for other people to even notice. Well Sugar just looks SO uncomfortable and just cranky. She'll be munching on her hay and all of a sudden look back at her belly get really annoyed looking (I'm hiding so it's not because she knows I'm watching haha) and go walk to the middle of her stall for a minute looking honestly the only word I can think of is just so uncomfortable. A few min later she goes back and continues eating as normal. I've been checking her udders , vulva etc every time I'm out there and nothing else has had too much change. So my question I guess is do minis get real uncomfortable near the end because of their small size or was I just lucky with the mares I bred before? Thank you in advance :)
-
Yes, most minis get very uncomfortable towards the end, especially before the foal turns in to the "take off" position where its back becomes lined up with the mares back. Of course as with humans you will get some mares that are less tolerant than others. Some mares just seem to be born to breed and others make it look like real hard work.
-
Ok thanks :)
-
Looking forward to new pictures!!
-
Sorry for the lack of replies abd pictures! These last few days have been crazy ,sick daughters , family down. Etc. I got my phone out to take pictures tonight and battery was too low ! Lol I will for sure take some in the morning. She just kind of seems the exact same. She was changing and moving along a bit and now udders and vulva are about the same , belly session about the same. But pictures to compare will help !
-
Hope everyone starts feeling better!
-
Thank you!
-
No problem! We ALL understand how "life" gets in the way, sometimes. Hope things go better for you tomorrow!!
-
Ok so I forgot to take an udder picture haha! They haven't changed though, I think sugar just wants me to be surprised at to when she will.foal because by the look of her now it seems I have a bit yet. The first vulva picture was last week second tonight. I can definitely see a change in that. It's getting puffier and starting to lengthen. Her belly still seems more narrow and down than it was but to me still doesn't look V-ed . Haha ome day we will.will eventually have a foal ! Guess we just keep waiting :D
-
All of these pictures are showing good progress -- just what we like to see. She is elongating nicely and loosening, baby is lining up -- as she is much more slab-sided than her earlier pictures, and baby is starting to move "front-of-center" position in the side shots. She is doing VERY nicely!!!
Watch for more elongation, the inside vulva lips will start to change color from a salmon color to more red, she will do some more rolling to further line baby up more -- there may come a time when she doesn't even look pregnant when you stand behind her. That will be when baby's spine is lined up with hers! Just perfect! She will be VERY uncomfortable when this happens, as there won't be much room for baby to move around, and sometimes it creates more pressure. You may see her pushing her butt into every wall and post she can find. All very normal!!
She's doing great!!
-
:D
-
Great progress, keep an eye on that hooha as the lengthening is one of the more reliable signs.
-
Shes looking good!!
-
Haha this baby is definitely not in birthing position yet. My poor round uncomfortable sugar lol
-
:) How cute is she!! So round! Love her!
-
Me too :) she's a super sweet girl!
-
Now that 1st picture is a good one for the "fat" mare board!! She's looking great!
-
Yeah it is eh?! Lol she's really danty too with a thinner body and legs so she looks like a lolly pop . Can not wait to see what she gives us <3
-
Yup! We can hardly wait!!
-
She's so sweet :)
-
She's looking good! Can't wait to see what she's hiding in there...
Come on Sugar!!
-
Thanks ! She's pretty much looking the same lol she wants to make me wait as long as possible ! ;)
-
I think that's ALWAYS their plan!!! >:D
-
Hanging out while the kids swim lol still no changes with Sugar
-
Can't say no changes! Compare pictures on the thread. And you can see positive changes! Looking good!
-
Yeah I guess! I just meant she's still pregnant haha I felt like the last few months of my own pregnancies went by faster than waiting for hers! Haha
-
I stopped pasture breeding for this very reason, the not knowing when drove me nuts. lol
-
Me too!
-
So I know that this second picture still isn't close to a full udder for most BUT as I said before, sugars precious owner who used her as a brood mare for many years , said she only bags up days before foaling. This is the difference from last week and they were the same as that this morning. Hoping maybe this is the start of some more progression :)
-
Here are a few more pics. Her belly is definitely not as out to the sides as it was . And her tail head is much mushier and starting to sink a bit. Oh and don't worry I cleaned her stall right after these pictures! Lol it was storming all day and it got damp in there. She must have been pacing because it was a mess in there.
-
I see a difference! Yay Sugar!!
-
Exciting progress ;D Thanks for the update.
-
She looks like she's getting her "v" on!!
-
Yup! Today her udders doubled in size and I can easily get milk out. Her croup muscles are also really sunken and soft now and her vulva has definitely changed but not red yet! If it were a diffeewnr mare i woulsnt be gettinf ad anxious at every change but her previous owner saod again tonight that she changes really fast and she's only ever been there for one foaling because she's really sneaky lol so I'm checking her probably way more than is necessary but oh well! I will take more pictures in the morning :)
-
You can not check too often! The problem arises when you think you can take a break! That's the time a sneaky mare can find herself in a world of trouble. So, you're doing just fine!! Keep up the good work. It will pay off in the end, with the safe delivery of a healthy little one!!
KUDOS for being such a caring owner!!
-
Thanks :D and that's exactly my thoughts. She looks at me like "oh would you just stop checking me so I do stuff on my.oqn" every time I go in lol
-
So I went to check her real quick before bed. The first vulva pi was last night the second right now. It's changed a bunch.
-
I was just seeing how she'd react to a tail wrapping ( my old mare hated them!)
-
She looks great , I dont think you will have much longer till the big arrival.
How is she within herself, If your going a little crosseyed looking for changes , keep an eye on her behavioral changes. Standing in a position in her box / yard that you wouldnt normally see her frequent, bit grumpy ect
Good luck and best wished for a safe foaling :)
-
She's been super crabky and miserable for a few weeks and yesterday morning actually starting being more cuddly /friendly than normal letting my touch her udders and vulva and doesn't care. That's the only behavior change so far. I just check her because I couldn't sleep and her udder is even a bit bigger. Guess I'll be on extra watch from here on!
-
she looks great, kudos to you for her and her stall being so well cared for. She look squeaky clean ;D
Looks like she is getting close so you are wise to keep an eye on her. These sneaky mares can be a real nightmare. My alpha mare was super sneaky and not 1 year did I manage to catch her foaling. She would wait for me to go pee or something and pop, out would come baby in all of about 5 mins!!! Do you have anyway of putting a cam up to watch her from the house ?
-
My kids are at the age where they still think it's fun to clean stalls haha and yeah I have been looking into the cameras because It would be so much easier , I just don't know what type to get for the most bang for your buck or how to go about setting one up. Do I need to run wiring out to the bane for the Internet ? I don't think my wifi would reach. ..
-
The first question is how far from the house is her stall? If she is close you can get a wifi cam that will hook up to your internet and you can watch her wherever you are. They are not expensive. Or most baby monitors will work.
If she is too far to get online you could watch her from home on a cam/ baby monitor. At least this way she won't know you are watching and you can stay in the warm.
-
She is definitely showing very positive changes, and with the change in her behavior as well, I wouldn't think you're going to have to wait much longer for this little one to arrive!
Praying for a safe and uneventful foaling!! ;pray ;pray
-
Yeah I'm going to go out today to look for cameras because I went out every 1.5 hours last night to check and km exhausted haha you guys with mutiple mares must be so tired! The barn is probably 150 feet back . The wifi works at mid yard so maybe I could get a wifi extender ? I will look into it today and find something! :)
-
Barn camera bought :) just a baby monitor type one but at least I csn watch her all day/night from inside! I don't work so I'm normally home all day anyway, but at least for the nights now I can keep an eye on her from my bed! 590 ft range is says so it should easily work to the barn that's 150 feet :)
-
Sounds good. I hope it works perfectly, but don't forget to watch it! LOL
-
Yeah! Lol
-
So much easier to watch ! Glad you found one that works!!
-
That is great. She can now enjoy her privacy and not even now that you are watching plus you get to stay warm and comfy. It is so much easier to just roll over and check the monitor rather than having to get up and go out.
-
Last night was definitely easier ! It's actually quite cute to watch them on the camera <3 she is still around the same as yesterday. It's chilly here today! Went from 90 degrees F two days ago to 43 F today! Silly weather .
-
You can't tell from the picture very well, but sugars udders are really firm now. No waxing but can easily get a ton of milk out if I wanted. Also she has red stripes like the second picture all over in there (started this morning) is that normal? My mares have always just gotten bright red but never looked like vessels like that.
-
I dont think you will be waiting much longer, and now that she has started to change colour inside the Vulva, Id be watching her like a hawk.
Best wishes for a safe foaling , which Im sure will happen for you on the weekend as I have a crappy internet connection at home and every monday when i get back to work, the big event seems to have happened.
So if Im not around, Bestest of wishes to you for a safe foaling ;pray
-
Thank you! I have our camper set up in our yard for the summer anyway So i think I'm going to sleep out here until she has it! Lol
-
Watching is the key! She's moving ahead nicely, so although it seems forever, it won't be. And trust me, you're going to forget how tired you are, once that little one arrives safely!!
-
Very good progress!!! She looks very close now!!
-
I can't remember if sugar is a maiden or not, I tried going back through the thread but I couldn't find anything. Help!! :P
-
O, so exciting when a new foal is coming!!
I, too, wish you safe foaling and will keep Sugar in my prayers...
-
I stayed up all night, still nothing! She's not maiden but I bought her pregnant so it's my first time foaling with her. Her old owner had 5 foal out of her and told me that normally sugar goes through all her progressions really fast and normally only bags up for a day or two and has the foal and is sneaky about it . Apparently she wants her new owner to have to wait longer haha I have been keeping a log of every change on every day incase I breed her again. That way I know what to expect and when next time :)
-
Her belly disappeared, everytime I go out she shows a bit more progression. So hopefully one day soon! My original guess for her foaling date, that I picked the day after we bought her, was June 15th . Maybe she's holding him/her in so I can win the date guessing game haha
-
Why not? I'm hoping maybe that my Misty is still pregnant, and just holding out for a repeat performance of her last foaling which occurred on Father's Day. If she is indeed still pregnant, I'll take a healthy foal anytime.
-
Exactly , I'll take the long wait and tired eyes with a healthy foal :)
-
Yes, healthy foals is what we're all after!! And remember, you'll have a great resource for next time, by looking at the pictures you've posted here.
So, some day...............when she foals..............we'll know for the future!! :o
-
Yeah! :) at least coming on here is keeping me sane while waiting! I was totally fine and patient , until I start seeing little signs , then the excite kicks in and time seems to slow down lol
-
Well, if it's any consolation -- we have all been in your shoes, and we totally understand what you are going through!
I guess that's why we "watch" so carefully, because we've all "been there...done that", but we just want healthy foals, safely on the ground.
And we promise, once baby arrives, the "tired" will disappear and you'll forget how long you waited!!
-
She's looking great!
Hang in there! It's almost time!!
-
Still no foal here... lol just still eating like she's starving and standing around like she hates her life , poor thing lol on the upside we have much more milk the last few days cominf out and had some mushy poops today. So maybe one day :) hah
-
I cant believe she has not foaled yet, but she is a mare and its her job to drive you crazy :)
The mushy poo is usually a great sign that she is getting close. Whats the contents of the milk like ? Sticky , clear ?
Come on Sugar , best wishes for a safe foaling to the both of you ;pray
-
She's got a nice "V" started, so it won't be long now. And those mushy poo's are a positive sign!
And have no fear.....SHE WILL FOAL !!! They can drive us crazy, but in the end.....WE WIN!!
-
Her milk is still yellowy / watery and not very sticky :s
-
I am really surprised! She is looking great!!
-
So am I! She's a tricky one that's for sure haha
-
Praying for a safe delivery :)
-
;pray ;pray
-
Thanks :)
-
Come on Sugar, time to bring the little one into the world!
-
Maybe all the foals born lately and me having a talk with sugar have helped haha her milk was clear and watery and never lower than the 8.4 pH . I just tested her and it's think and sticky and dripping with a pH of 7 :)
-
Sure is, and today was a good day for it. But we're willing to wait a bit and let you cook that little one to perfection!!
-
Oooh good luck!!
-
My kids told me " if she's still cooking it for longer it will probably burn and come out black" would be too funny if it was was a black foal lol
-
:D
-
Sugar must have gotten the memo that I was ready to meet her baby haha
A little filly named syrup was born tonight at 10:30 pm. It was a super fast (first real labour signs were until 10:10, until then she was just standing there eating haha) super fast, smooth delivery. Syrup was up and walking around withing minutes. :)
-
Congratulations!
So happy for you.
-
Thanks :) she's lightened up alot already. I thought she was the same colour as sugar before . Oops lol I'm off for a nap. Baby is eating and pooping same.with momma :)
-
Many congratulations!! Just love her colour. More pics please - when you have caught up on some sleep. zzz2
-
CONGRATULATIONS on a little beauty!!!! Just perfect....and tell the kids she's not burnt!!!
-
Awesome!!! Congrats :)
-
Thanks :) I was already planning on "Sweet Brown Syrup" after her parents, but since she was born on the most humid night of the year I'm going to add "Sticky Sweet Brown Syrup" :D
-
OMGoodness! Congrats!
Ok what are the odds that all our mares would foal within the same 24 hr period!!!
-
I know eh?! I told my whole family how three mares all had babies within 24 hours on here. So awesome :)
-
Congratulations she is lovely , love the name :)