[Bailey-Boots]

I usually just kneel down and see if her teets have changed but tonight I just put my hand under her and OMGbm !! I can feel something. I don't know what Bagging up looks like or is supposed to feel like, but to put it in terms that I understand .. she has fuzzy plums. OK so my pregnant shetland may have turned into a stallion with one key ingredient missing or she is bagging/ bagged up.

I went and felt the other 2 mares in the field to see what they felt like (that was popular as they were eating hay) and she is definatly (sp) different. Her teets are the same but she has two lumps I would say behind the teets that are warm and .. err ... lumpy

I have never had a pregant mare or really dealt with one before and if anyone has any advice I would really appreciate it. I have read the posts on here about birth etc, but I am a bit of a rookey at this. The vet is coming out on the 1st to do some jabs and I will speak to them on Monday when dropping a horse off.

I know to look for milk and the rear end going soft, is there anything else. (is there any time line or is it in the lap of the gods)

I will sort out a stable with some straw (Straw is better than shavings yes ? I remember someone saying about shavings getting up the nose) the foal will be really little (Standard Shetland - UK spec!) Its not too cold at the moment and she has free rein of the yard. Should I keep her in at night or just leave the door to the stable open and still let her walk around. (The stable is in a barn, I could just close the barn door and let her walk around the barn, its just that she can't see over the door of the stable if I close it and I don't want to upset her) Should I start feeding her now she is bagging up ? the prev owner said not to feed her until she gives birth (she does have a complete mineral and vitamin lick that she uses a lot, so I don't think she is missing out on anything. Her weight is good if not a little overweight)

I am feeling pretty nervious .... I wonder if ebay sell CCTV and then I can keep my eye on her. I think I may take a sleeping bag down there and sleep in a stable (shame its not heated really, brrr)

She has had foals before so I hope it goes smoothly.

I feel excited and sick all at the same time.

Cass you may get a call soon !!!!

[spyro1]

You are just too cute BB!!!
Yes, straw is better than shavings, easier to clean up and less chance of resp prob's with the wee tot!! As for her *lumpy* teats...(lol) some mares bag up different than others, I am no expert myself on that area either!!
If little momma is not a first timer, I would let her have the choice on where she wants to foal out, give her free rein so to speak. As long as it isnt too cold for her. As for the feeding her, that is really your call. If her weight is good, and she isnt on any grain now, I would hesitate to start her on something now, especially if she is already a tad overweight, although she will def lose some after nursing....not much help am I??? ROFL Ponies are really hardy when it comes to foaling out, so I have been told. Keep us up to date and ship the little one over in a box for me!!!!!

[cassidy]

whooo does that mean the baby is on the way


whoo i am so ecited

you will be wanting name ideas soon then

whooo i cant wait!

[cassidy]

oh yeah il be waiting for the call i would really like to come up an visit i would love to see the little bundle an would love to meet you of corse too!

what do you reckon?!

[Bailey-Boots]

Thanks Spy !! yes you are a great help. I think I will not give her any feed until she gives birth. Saying that I have just been down to the yard to do a lunch time feed and thought .. oh where are the shetlands !! ... I had left the door to the old barn open this morning EEKKK! that is where we store the hay and all the feed bags. I went in and there is monty and venito tucking into the nuts ! (sorry pellets, cubes what ever you guys call it) they both looked so guilty and as soon as I went in they scuttled out. Good job she is pregnant or she would have been wearing an imprint of my boot on her a$$ LOL!! (only joking)

I have put a bed down for her and left the door open so she can be where she wants to be. If she starts looking like she is going to give birth then I will close the door (going to make a 1/2 stable door for her .. so I guess that is really a 1/4 door then, this weekend so I hope she will keep her legs crossed by then)

Yes Cass it would be great to see you! you can come over when there is a bundle of joy in the stables ! I think its going to look like a trantula (sp) the big black spider things !!!

Venito is so wide at the moment, I felt her teets again and they are about an A cup PMSL! maybe I should loan her one of my wonderbras!

she didn't much like me feeling her, so I am wondering if they are a little bit sore ?? she has never minded in the past when I have checked. Do women get sore breasts when they are going to give birth?

If it gets born on the 25th its gonna have a Christmas/ religious name isn't it .. Mary Holly ! Jesus! Noah... loaves and fishes ??

[cassidy]

no it doesnt have to have a religious name lol i have a whole list of them for you to choose from lol

i cant wait an yeah i will deffinately be coming up to visit!

[Bailey-Boots]

Originally Posted by cassidy

i cant wait an yeah i will deffinately be coming up to visit!

FANTASTIC!! .. start knitting some booties .. FOUR please LOL!

[spyro1]

ROFL.....oh yes, the Ta-Ta's do get sore the closer they get.

[Super Step]

I am going to follow this thread, but at this time feel it is in the best intrest of everyone involved [mostly myself], that for the time being I will simply sit back and continue to snort coffee up my nose.

My, Bailey-Boots, you do have a way with words!!

[Bailey-Boots]

Tim I don't know what you mean. do you not think a nice over-boulder-shoulder-holder would look great on a shetland! I am sure a nice black one would look good (the over spillage of hair would not look so obvious either) LOL!!

and stop putting coffee up your nose, you know it will make your beard all sticky

Thanks Spy, I guess I won't do any more groaping of the poor shetland then LOL! Don't wanna mess with her when her hooves are a good height for kneecapping me. She wasn't impressed that I have had to put her forelock (which is down to her nose) in a bunch .. she is like Oprah with attitude now