I know this question is kinda a stupid question.... can u help me?

Question

Okay my Shetland pony just "dropped" on Friday and I know this is kinda weird but when is she more then likely to give birth?

Thanks to all who help!!!!!!1

Also-Since she is in a small pen outside I walk her. Is that bad for her? Should I stop walking her? I only do that because otherwise she gets too excited.

Answer 1

She should give birth some time within the next three weeks, but that's only a rough estimate!

* Gestation in the mare tends to be around 342 - 345 days after last service by the stallion, but can vary from 315 - 370 days.
* Mares do tend to follow a pattern so if your mare foaled a fortnight late last year, there is a strong possibility she will do the same this year.
* About 3 weeks before foaling you will start to notice a relaxation of the pelvic ligaments, evidenced by a loose area around the coupling and the hindquarters. The muscles appear softer than usual. (This is what you are seeing now).
* There is an accompanying swelling or filling, as well as relaxation, of the external genital organs.
* Between 6 to 48 hours before foaling, a small amount of clear, thick, serum-like matter oozes from each teat canal and on contact with the air it hardens into a little bead or string of wax like material.
* This 'wax' sometimes drops off the teat and adheres to the inside of the hock or hind cannon.

Indications foaling may be imminent (but be prepared for false alarms).

* A preference for leaving the herd and perhaps acting in an unfriendly manner.
* Raising her tail.
* Frequent small bowel evacuations
* Repeatedly stretching or assuming a urinating position without actually passing urine.
* Lying down and getting up at short intervals as if having great difficulty in getting comfortable.
* If stabled, pawing in different places as if looking for something in the bedding.
* If stabled, nervousness indicated by frequent interruptions in eating to walk around the stable a few times.
* Kicking lightly at the abdomen, or lifting a hind leg as if she is going to kick.
* A tendency to stop eating suddenly, to stop chewing the food already in her mouth, and to stand quietly for several minutes before resuming eating.
* Breaking out in a sweat.

Good luck with the birth! Shetland foals are so gorgeous!...

Answer 2

I am assuming that when you say "dropped", you mean that the foal has moved lower in her belly (the term dropped is usually used to signify the actual birth). Anyway, you're looking at 11 months total. Most horses in the last 3 months of thier pregnancies start to show a difference in the way that they are "carrying" thier foals, meaning that the wieght is shifted lower and farther back in the belly. Still, the best way to figure out her due date is to have a Vet look at her.

As for the walking, keep doing it! I showed my Arab mare with a full time schooling and showing schedule up until her 10th month. We actually took Reserve Champion at Regionals when she was 9 months along...the excercise is good for a horse (same as a person) so long as the Vet says it's okay. I think hand walking or even hopping on her bareback (if you're not too big to ride her) would be great for her. Good luck.

Answer 3

Well, the shetland pony has an 11 month gestation period, and they will drop at different times. This is a little late in the year for a birth though. Are talking about the movement of the horse fetus, or are you saying she has fallen? I'm assuming you are saying the fetus has moved, and the pregnancy is now more pronounced. It could still be a couple months at most if this is the case, but again, a little late in the year for a birth. Breeders will usually time the mating so that the births coincide with an early spring when the grass is at it's best, and there will be enough of it for the rest of the season.

Answer 4

I used to foal out TB mares, and when they dropped it was usually about a week before they foaled. I suppose it could be different for Shetlands. She should be making a bag I would think. The bags a better indicator, that and the loosening of her vulvan and the tendons around her butt.

Answer 5

No such think as a stupid question!!!!! This is a good question how else are you going to learn!!!! Well my mom has been breeding horses for over 35 yrs, & myself along with her the whole time I grew up she was breeding. The way we check when we know it is close is we milk her just a little to see what color the milk is...... Clearish is you still have awhile, but a milky color it should be around 3 days or so. Now this is not 100% right, but it has worked for us very well. Good luck!!!

Answer 6

By saying she "dropped" that is a horseman's term for having foaled. (i.e. she dropped on Friday - means she foaled on Friday.), so I am a little confused by the question.

The gestation period is right around 311-320 days, or 11 months. So, if you know when she was bred, you should be able to get a rough idea when she will foal.

By "dropped", if you are referring to her bag swelling up or something, then that is usually something that happens within about 4 weeks of foaling.

If you begin to see her leaking milk, or her teats "wax up", meaning that they get a yellowy waxy looking crust around the nipple, that usually happens 24-48 hours from birth.

Good luck with her, and I hope you are prepared for a new foal.

Answer 7

I dont know much about horses but with humans when you drop it is almost time. I would say within the next couple of weeks. I am sure there are other signs that you can look for. Congratulations

Answer 8

Soon.

She'll probably go into labor and deliver the moment you take a break to go to the bathroom or something like that.

Answer 9

the mare is most likely to foal at the most inconvenient time for you and wont until you have to go to your great aunts funeral or someting, but now you have to stay behind in case anything goes wrong!!!

my advice~~~~~ cancel all dates for the next month, she cant wait forever..........

Answer 10

2 points