I have a 14yo old mare expecting a foal soon. She was supposed to be due around March but I suspect she will drop it much earlier as she is EXTREMELY heavy! I have worked on Thoroughbred stud farms etc before but this is my first foal I am breeding myself, so I would like ANY tips, suggestions and things to watch out for from any other people who have bred horses before. Like does she need special feeding, or will she do fine on her normal rations? When should I take her rugs off? Should I separate her from her best friend (another, much older mini mare). Also any other helpful tips. The weather here is really hot as well. (I'm in Australia)
2006-11-30 22:06:46 · 3 answers · asked by ThePONYKID 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
If she is due in March you need to put her in a stall in Feb. to let her get aclumated to it and get her scent in there. You should feed your mare 4 x's a day starting Jan. They cant consume as much since the crowding of the foal and you dont want to cause colic. Starting in Feb. check your mare daily for waxed teats, vulva changes, her udder, look at the croup area for relaxing, the tail should be subtle. You may see bouts of colic but this isnt really colic..this is the mare being uncomfortable and the foal rotating and positioning. As time gets near milk the udder and check the consistency and color. The milk goes through phases and once it hits one phase it can change w/in a matter of minutes and foaling is very near. The consistency in the udder will be real yellow and thick like floor wax..at this pt. she should be checked on several times a day. She may pace, paw, yawn, nip at sides, stomp feet, raise tail, go off feed, manure becomes smaller and more frequent. Also, you may check the vulva and see what they call the bloody show which is the mucus plug from the cervix. You see this and you are close. The udder may drip, another close sign. She holds her tail up almost all the time, another close sign. She may get up and down bite the walls or run her teeth along the wall. When she is very near to where the foal will touch the ground w/in an hr she may begin to sweat. As far as feeding your mare..keep an eye on her weight. Plenty of hay at free will. Once the foal is on the ground...use 7% iodine on the imbilical and deworm your mare w/in 12 hrs of foaling. Once you see the sac from the mare dont touch it till you know the foals head wont go back in when the mare gets up and break the sac open and wipe down w/towel. Be quiet and dont try to comfort your mare. ONce the baby is out but back legs are still in your mare leave them alone .... this will keep your mare down to regain herself and blood flow from the imbilical to the baby. If the baby begins to kick vigorously will still in her then you might want to slide the foal out so he doesnt damage your mare but most the time if they are to vigorous the mare will move on her own breaking the cord. Make sure baby gets up w/in a few hrs or phone vet. The placenta drops w/in a few hrs or phone the vet. The baby nurses and passes mecom and not colicy or give an enima and phone the vet. Good luck hope this helps and congradulations grandma.
2006-12-01 04:09:22 · answer #1 · answered by Ivory_Flame 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is going to foal out this early, she eitheir has a defect, twins or you counted the days wrong. If you counted right and she does end up foaling, the foal(s) will be EXTREMELY premature and die. Won't even take their first breath. If you worked on TB stud farms and stuff, the larger mares can 'hide' their foals easier. They're still the correct size,etc. but, their ribs are farther sprung so the baby has more room before you see it.
~Good luck. You will most likely have one strong healthy foal!
2006-12-01 05:38:35 · answer #2 · answered by hey_its_from_clare 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you separate her from her best friend it will stress her. I slept in the barn with mares due to foal - they become restless as their contractions begin. Mares will "wax" a few days before foaling: a waxy secretion will accumulate on their teats.
Keep on doing what you're doing. Observe your mare. during foaling the fore feet will appear first followed by the head... If your mare appears to be in trouble you can assist by pulling on the foal's forelegs -- watch for the contraction, easily seen, and pull then.
You'll do fine. congratulations!
what are rugs?
2006-11-30 22:22:47 · answer #3 · answered by reynwater 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋