[arabianlvr87]

So I was watching this movie last night (Virginia's Run) and in the opening scene, it's storming and this girl goes down to a pasture to help a mare foal. So the foal comes, it's healthy, la da da. But, the mare dies!

I really would like to breed Felicity or Mona in the nera future, but I think I would die if one of them do.

Does anyone know if there's an average fatality rate in the mare dying? Obviously, the chances aren't THAT high, becasue birth is a regualr occurance. But I'd just like to know the possibility of losing them.

[hrnarabians]

Any time you breed a mare you have a 50/50 shot of the mare or foal dieing. It's the risk you take if you want to breed.

[BestofPrincess]

it depends mares have died from hemeraging, impact colic ect...

[dallasbarnone]

are they maiden mares or did they have foals before?

[arabianlvr87]

Felicity would be 8 and she is a maiden. Mona would be 9 and she's already had a baby. (3 years ago when she was 6)

[dallasbarnone]

they claim theres a 95% no problem foaling- but if something goes wrong you are in trouble- if it goes wrong and the mare is unattended- well - they can' t help themselves in that case. It goes wrong so quick that you can' t get a vet there in time- if you are really worried and they are maiden mares- have them foal at an equine medical clinic. It is the safest way- mini mares have a much higher risk of foaling problems because of the size and limited area to get your hands and arms into -at a clinic they can sedate the mare and stop her from pushing if theres something wrong and save the foal if theres a problem. Its not that expensive if you figure in what it would cost losing a mare or foal or dragging the mare with the foal half out miles to a clinic -and the foal wouldnt be alive when you got there anyway. Unless you have a vet that lives across the street and sometimes that wont help either.

[dallasbarnone]

oh - well myself- i would feel safer foaling a mare that has already had one- do you have any history on her- if she had problems or the foal had any? Its so important to keep records on them if you do decide to breed her. I have an older mare that i was going to breed quite a few years ago- i love that horse so much and i was the same way as you- wouldnt forgive myself if i killed her by breeding her- i decided to get a job foaling -so i did- and after foaling 30 mares in 3 mos- i decided i would take mine to the clinic if i did. There were only two that died- one mare and foal - and one mare after foaling . Out of 30 thats not bad -but.......the ones that had problems and we were there on the spot with the vet ended up inroute to the hospitol and lived but cost about 3to 4 thousand. its about three hundred to monitor the mare at the clinic- so- if you figure it out- its worth the cost. I didnt breed my mare anyway though- she was not a reg. quarterhorse and theres too many horses out there now- even though shes the best of the best i may not live long enough to keep her foal until it dies of old age so i didnt want to add to the problem. Sass- that mare-is 34 this year so shes a tough horse to say the least. She doesnt even have gray hair- never colic-never sick- still the alpa.....id rather take in rescues.

[arabianlvr87]

Yeah, my vet lives about 10 minutes away from my house, but like you said- 10 minutes is precious time.

I know the Paint mare had an easy foaling. She was bred to HBF Iron Man and her old owner has the ultra sounds and claimed everything went as close to perfect as you can get.

I KNOW the Arab would make a great baby with the right stallion. I'd be worried about her age and never having one.

[arabkid]

Em, my parents have been breeding for 39 years. They have NEVER lost a mare due to foaling. I am not saying it can't happen, but I'm sure you would know your girl well even, and check them often enough when they get close to know if somethings wrong, and call a vet out!

[arabianlvr87]

SERIOUSLY!? Whoa... that's REALLY good...