Ok this is my first mare, just bought her about a week ago from a horse dealer. Turns out shes pregnant. She's about 18 and the vet palpated her and said she was definitely pregnant. My lil sis and I got to feel it kick. What warning signs should I look out for as she gets closer to foaling so I know to be around more? I also want to raise the foal so how do I go about that?
2007-03-13 06:05:23 · 6 answers · asked by Geri 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Since this is your first horse and she is pregnant, I would suggest becoming friends with a local person that has a great deal of experience with horses. My assumption is that you will be training the foal and so you should have someone close by to lean on when you have a multitude of questions or when you need help with the horses. Enjoy.
2007-03-13 06:13:26 · answer #1 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All great tips. I had a pregnant mare that my mother owned. I was around 16. The mare foaled when they went out (my bro and I were home alone). If your lucky she'll foal when your around. It's an amazing thing to see. Do indeed have iodine on hand. It's really good to have it in a biottle that you can squrt it on. Don't bother with gause or anything. Make a little kit in a portable container and have it handy. If she foals you may need ruber gloves (both the latex to the wrist ones AND the to the sholder ones, you should be able to get them at the vet office), you WILL need the iodine and you may need some towels. Have the vets phone numbers and emergency phone numebrs. There is always a chance of a breach birth (foal comes out back legs first) so those will be handy. Mom should do fine if this isn't her first. You won't need to hover over her. If your able to remember (and have it) bring a camera. An amazing thing to catch. I licked out and video taped the whole thing.
2007-03-13 13:55:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well find out approx. when she is due.. some mares foal early, some late, some on time.. when her bags start to fill with milk and get a waxy subtsance on the nipple you should definately keep a close eye. more often than not mares foal at night in the safety of there stall.. it is good to have a vet there just incase but if he doesnt make it have some iodine on hand to put on the foals navel after the umbillical cord detatches. this will prevent an infection. raising the foal is pretty easy the first few weeks.. your mare will do all the work.. you will still have to make sure the foal is nursing enough but enjoy it.. they get big quick!!
2007-03-13 13:34:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there isnt anyone around you can visit or talk to about it, I would suggest going out and buying a book. There are tons of books available on the subject. You have lots of time to get to know your mare, you will notice changes in her temperment as the time gets closer. The most important thing with a foal is to handle it a lot, every day. Do things similar to what you will be doing when it gets older. You can do things like putting a halter on and off, picking up the feet and cleaning them out, brush it, get it used to having your hands all over its body so it will never be nervous when you handle it. If you plan on doing anything in particular with the foal, like barrell racing or trail riding or even jumping, it also helps if you get them used to things that may potentially startle it, including noises such as farm equipment, dogs, mailboxes, etc... I think you get the idea. Have fun, babies are a blast!
2007-03-13 13:55:29 · answer #4 · answered by Kim 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some signs are swollen bag, descended teats, waxy teats (within 48 hours of birth), sunken-in loose muscles around top of hindquarters, loose tail, discharge, fullness in the flank area (the fetus moving down the birth canal), and lose of appetite. Every mare is different though, so just watch for differences in your own mare. Who she is walking, eating, interacting, etc. Dip the umbilical cord as soon as possible in mild iodine and just make sure the mother gets the baby dry. Watch to make sure the foal stands within a few hours and doesn't hurt itself while trying. After that, do as you please. Don't do any serious tying or leading before 2 months though, so you don't do any damage to hurt the foal.
2007-03-13 14:53:18 · answer #5 · answered by Horsetrainer89 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A baby horse! Thats what you get and mom will do the caring for you just need the vet at delivery and to give it the proper vacinations. Have fun!
2007-03-13 13:09:41 · answer #6 · answered by hvykey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋