My 5 yr old mare is pregnant. Dont know when she was bred.?

Question

I bought a 5yr old appaloosa mare in july. She has already had one foal. A filly that I also bought with her. Her 1st foal was 1 yr old in aug. Now the mare is GREAT BIG and pregnant. But no one, not even her previous owner knows when she was bred because she was turned out with the stallion all last winter. And no one was around to tell if she had been bred back or not. So my ? is- other than waiting for it to be born. Or checking her milk {which she is not making as of yet} how can I tell when she is due. The foal has already moved down, It looks like she has dropped. Like a womans belly does. And the vet says sounds like she is fine and healthy and everything is normal. Any ideas or advice is aprreciated, Thanks

Answer 1

Their gestation period is approx 335 days or about 11 months. But remember, mares can postpone the birth for a while if they so desire, mine did. We checked on her before we went shopping one day and returned about an hour and a half later and there was this foal in our yard, since our vet had checked our mare about a week earlier and said she wasn't pregnant we thought someone elses foal had gotten in. Once we realized our Vet had his HUA, we were thrilled and named our new little boy Stretch. By the way, we did not have access to the internet at the time and did not give him an enema, you may want to check with your vet about that to see what s/he reccomends. This little bit may help you more closely determine when foaling is emminent-
This comes from, www.horsetalk.co.nz/breeding/as-foaling.shtml:
Prior to foaling- one of the first signs is the distended udder. During the last month the udder usually enlarges. The mares udder may fill up at night while she is resting and shrink during the day while she exercises. When the udder remains full through out the day then foaling is probably imminent. The mare should be watched closely.

Here's some of what it says at the Justamere Ranch site:
In preparation for foaling, the mare's udder will start to fill ("bagging up") as early as a month before she foals. But some mares won't develop a bag until after she has foaled. Often mares that have developed a bag will start to drip a clear fluid that gradually turns white. Within the last 24 hours or so before foaling the substance will turn sticky and creamy. This substance is colostrum, and if the mare is losing a significant amount it should be collected and frozen to give to the foal later...

Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 2

If the foal has already dropped then I would be looking for a baby to be on the way soon ( the next few weeks or in a month or two). She won't make milk until right before she gives birth. To tell if shes only got a day or two to go start lifting her tail head. If she resists you lifting her tail then you've still got awhile. If you can lift it easily but not swirl it around as you please then shes really close, only a few days to go. If you can pick up the tail head and swirl it around, and do what ever you want to it then I would start getting ready to spend the night with her because baby is definately coming soon. She'll start to get waxy teats, which is just dried colostrum with in 24h of giving birth. Good luck and have fun with baby!

Answer 3

I raise gaited horses and I always get the vet to do an ultrasound. It costs me $35.00 but that's with her coming to my barn. If you can take it, you may pay less. That's one true way that you will know how far along and so on... the vet should be able to give a round about answer. If they can't get another vet. A horse can be bred back 7 days after they give birth. So it is possible if the horse was in with a stallion.

Answer 4

If you are just wanting to make sure that you are ready when she is, keep a good eye on her, her attitude and everything will change you'll know because they get figity so to say. Watch for the wax on the teats and her bag will be real tight with milk she may even leak a little.

Answer 5

It been a while on this, but, feel her Teets. They will get a wax type coating. If, I remember correct. Soon as she start to get ready, she will usually find a shed and go lay down. Just keep an eye on her. We had one go into the shed, the other just decide she wanted out in the field. But, I believe my Daughter felt the wax, or, whatever anyone want to call it, and we knew it was close.

Answer 6

Get an ultrasound done from the vet. That would be the best way to tell.

Answer 7

she will be prevfnant for 11 months