[bsbcogburn]

I have a QH mare that is 20 years old and this is going to be her last baby, and I think she knows it so she is going to hang on to it forever!!!!!!!!! My question is, (this is number 7) her due date was March 17 which was last Thurs. and she still has not had it. This is my first baby and I don't know what is normal. About 2 weeks ago her bag dropped and is hard with milk now and her back hips have been sunken in for 2 days and still no baby. Is there something wrong? Should I calm down and leave her alone? Anyone with help, PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!

[Laceycowgrl]

Hey!!! Hang in there. I'm in the same shape. I can't sleep at night, so worried about my mare foaling. Gestation usually lasts 335 days from conception. If you mare has reached day 350-360, I would talk to your Vet. Foals born after this time can also be very healthy, with no complications. Some mares can prolong giving birth if the weather is bad, or other situations like if they have been grazing on fescue grass. Is she starting to show swelling in her udder? Has her vulvular area started to relax?? These are signs that are subtle, but will mean the baby should be coming w/in 7-10 days. Hope this helps!! Good luck!!! Email me if you have any other questions!

[Laceycowgrl]

Sorry I didn't read your post throughly about her udder and stuff. Is she dripping any milk??

[bsbcogburn]

No, she is not dripping any milk and i pull and nothing comes out.... Is that good or bad?

[Laceycowgrl]

That ok. Just means she isn't ready yet. Once her teats fill up and a wax will build up on the ends, she should be foaling w/in 1-4 days. You may also see a yellow colored substance dripping from her teats. This is the colostrum (first milk), it is also a sign of her nearing foaling. Add up the days using a calander from the LAST time she was bred, that will give you a good idea of how far along she is. Take in to consideration the different number of days in each month. I have a foal watching sheet with good info (stages of foaling). I'll be glad to email it to you. It's in microsoft word format. You might call and ask your vet also. My mare had bumps under her belly, turned out to be lymph fluid. He didn't even charge me for an exam!

[Appylvr]

You don't want to be pulling or touching the teats now. You don't want to stimulate her. If the milk starts dripping before she's ready to have the foal, then the foal won't get any of the colostrum when it's born. Just be patient and try to relax. They know when they're ready.

[Lass]

Originally Posted by bsbcogburn

I have a QH mare that is 20 years old and this is going to be her last baby, and I think she knows it so she is going to hang on to it forever!!!!!!!!! My question is, (this is number 7) her due date was March 17 which was last Thurs. and she still has not had it. This is my first baby and I don't know what is normal. About 2 weeks ago her bag dropped and is hard with milk now and her back hips have been sunken in for 2 days and still no baby. Is there something wrong? Should I calm down and leave her alone? Anyone with help, PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!

There are several signs which will tell you that she is close to foaling. The other people that posted responses are some of the signs. Sometimes mares won't wax, (Do you know if she waxes??) in that case watching your mares routine for an hour every evening will give you an idea if she is closer if she dont wax. The foal will also become centered. Mares in foal usually are offsided, when the time is close the foal will become centered.

your mare will also become like "jello" near the doc of her tail and also were she is sunk in. From what I have experienced, I have noticed the mares to be so "jello-ish" that you can easily see that area jiggle when they walk or clear their noses, have foaled with in 12- 24 hours. If you mare allows you to lift her tail, you will notice before she foals that your mare will resist and try to put it down. When she is close with in 12-48 hours, you should be able to lift the tail easily..

You may also notice if you keep her stalled at night when she is in labor, her stools will become softer, and more often. Being she is an older mare that has had several foals she may go into labor with out any signs besides waxing. Watch for difference in routines.

Take a deep breath do some research on the internet, and spend some time watching your mare.. Good luck and keep us all posted!! We all know that waiting seems like forever, however, "it" is worth the wait!

Lass

[bishopsangels]

I thought my mares was going to hold on forever...I had one that has foaled before and a maiden. The "experienced" mother would act like she is in labor and then just quit...(let me add that she wasn't "pushing" or anything, just stretching, pawing, and pacing) I would go and check on her every hour, staying about an hour at a time to make sure all was ok and she would end up going to her hay and eating...Then I went to pay bills and came home and there was the filly! She was due feb 14 and foaled mar 7.
My maiden mare ... she "dropped" about 1 and 1/2 weeks ago. her udder filled up and then went away. Then came back. I have checked for the jello-ish tail head and she started that also. After going to visit friends yesterday I went and did my check, brushed her down and noticed that her milk was dripping....So I started my watch every hour like clock work. At 10 pm I went out, she was standing there, sleeping...at 11 she woke up...went to the hay and started eating...so I came in and warmed up. Went back out at 12 and she was still eating hay. I noticed that her bowels moved about every three minutes (or so). Then she just turned and looked at me, went to urinate, and OMG it did not stop. At 1 am she had a beautiful baby.
Her due date was Mar 15 and she foaled mar 21.
Hope this helps some!

[Appylvr]

My mare didn't show any signs, except the softening stools. I just remembered that when I read it. I didn't really think of that until after she foaled. She didn't wax, drip, anything. When I fed that night, she ate like normal. When I went back out to check on her, the foal was already up and stumbling around. I was so mad! I wanted to see it so bad!

[bsbcogburn]

Finally her milk is dripping....... Still has not waxed but I went and checked her this morning and she does have "jello" sides right in front of her back hips. Maybe it will be today...... Thanks for your support and advice and I will keep you posted!!!!!!!!!!