[prairiegirl]

Thanks, she is certainly the pretty one in our pasture, ha ha. My older mare is built like a dream--stocky, sturdy, big, solid--and is very sane and sensible but is quite plain as a chestnut, though she has 'dappled' over the winter a bit, with only a teeny star of white so it was change to have something so colorful and flashy out there!) She was bred to a bay stud. Real handsome guy and apparently quite a nice, mellow temperment.

[prairiegirl]

I have been watching her underside (ahem, private areas, ha ha) and I have noticed that in the area that will eventually be her bag the skin is getting looser. Up until a few weeks ago she looked like my other mare, who is definitely not pregnant, in that area. I guess changes there are to be expected even three months in advance, right? I have tried to snap photos--my family thinks I've very much gone nutty--but her winter fuzz is thick and I can't get clear photos. (I am waiting to hear from the breeder again to double, no, TRIPLE check that she could not have been exposed to the stud any earlier than June.) Her belly is getting SO big that I don't even want to ride her...but I also don't want her to sit in the pasture getting obese either and I know that many people ride them, gently of course, right up until a few weeks before baby arrives. And with the riding we do (rarely faster than a brisk walk) I know I wouldn't do her any harm. Worrywort.

[prairiegirl]

Also wanted to add that I saw photos of her sire and dam. She looks IDENTICAL to her Mama! Except her dam has three white 'bobbie-socks', ha ha. Her Papa was a chestnut. Hopefully we get a dun...I've become very fond of the color.

[prairiegirl]

Uh oh! Snarky mare alert!

Yesterday I walked out to the pasture with one of our dogs, a chocolate Lab who gets along with anyone/everyone/everything, and was grooming the Mom-to-be, unhaltered, just standing in the sun. Whenever the dog would come near--she was just trotting around sniffing in the snow and forest--the mare would pin her ears and lower her head. I watched her closely after the initial show of aggression, shouted at her the second time and gave her a good swat on the shoulder after the third time and made her back up aways. She looked at me carefully the next time the dog trotted by and THEN pinned her ears and took off after her, pushing me out of the way! She chomped on the poor dog's back and squealed like a witchy mare!!! I chased her off and checked on the dog. No damage done, except for some slobber and hay bits on her back, and her tail didn't stop wagging the whole time so she's alright. Luckily. This pooch has the thickest winter coat on her back and I am sure that helped protect her.

This mare hasn't had a problem with the dogs before so I assume she's just getting cranky and hormonal, ha ha. But I will be keeping the dogs out of the way from now on, that's for sure! But because I like to take this dog with me when I go riding I will have to do some training with the mare to get her to politely tolerate her presence.

[prairiegirl]

Wanted to add that her udder area is definitely getting looser skin. Not any bag development yet but the area has changed over the past few weeks. Thank goodness the neighbours can't see me checking, ha ha ha.

[prairiegirl]

While, judging from the 'udder' photos of other mares who are pregnant (Jacinta!!!) our little mare has a LONG way to go (was told she is due in May sometime) but I thought I would start taking photos of our own to keep track of her progress. A month ago there was no signs (as far as I know...this whole pregnant mare ownership deal is new to me), everything was firm...a couple weeks ago the skin started getting looser and wrinkly...now it seems to be filling out.
.

[prairiegirl]

I posted pictures not too long ago of my mare's udder. (Is that right? Udder? Or is it udders? Or bag? ) Anyhow, I just took another photo and there is DEFINITELY some changes going on!

<<<<---TODAY MARCH 13th
<<<<-----MARCH 8th

I would be very interested in what everyone has to say as to her possible due date (a rough guess-timate) because I don't think she'll be waiting til "May sometime", do you?

I could be wrong and it could be wishful thinking...but spring is in the air and I've still got the foal bug, even worse now that everyone is posting pictures of the most adorable little critters I've ever seen!

<<<<---I had to crop her pretty head out because my Mom and sister didn't want to be in the photo.

[prairiegirl]

Nobody? Please, someone tell me when you think she's going to have this little monster! I swear my family thinks I'm nuts looking at her underside several times a day, ha ha ha. And can I ride her? Nothing beyond a slow trot, mostly walking. And if I can ride her should I ride bareback? And on that topic when can I ride after she has the foal? I would hate to let her training go to waste not keeping up on it. Ahhhhh, panic!

[Paxo]

looks like a 30-45 day time to go.

[prairiegirl]

NEW PHOTO to come this afternoon. I just checked her again and her udder is DEFINITELY larger than yesterday! Ahhhhhh, I am not ready for this!