[katylynn06]

On August 2nd I had the vet come out and tell me that my mare was 2 mos away from foaling, well 2 mos is up last week or so. Today I talked to a local trainer/friend and she said that there is a possiblity that my mare is carrying a still born foal and that is why she hasn't had it yet. How far off can the vet be? She said the vet I had come out was good. I'm ******** out a little bit cuz I don't want something to be wrong. Won't be able to get vet out till who knows when as he is very busy. Please can someone shed some light.

[JBandRio]

Some mares carry a year.

Or more

Foals aren't born according to a time table. They are born according to how well cooked they are This is early for some, and really late for others.

What was your vet going by to give you a 2 month timeframe?

What grass/hay is your mare on? If it's fescue, that might be cause for her delayed delivery, and something you should be very concerned about. Domperidone is a drug that can counteract the effects of the endophyte that is in fescue in the US that negatively affects pregnancy.

[katylynn06]

He palpated her and at the time he did I asked him about the fescue and he said she would be fine that our bermuda was overgrowing the fescue and there was more bermuda than fescue. She has been on alfalfa hay and very little alfalfa and oat pellets mixed with some sweet feed more alfalfa and oats than sweet feed.

[JBandRio]

It doesn't take very much infected fescue to cause a problem.

Still, at this point, I wouldn't worry too much. Did you buy her already pregnant? Do you know when her first and last covers/inseminations were? Like I said, the average gestation is just that - average. Some mares go early all the time, some go late all the time, stressful situations can cause a mare to hang on longer, etc. As long as you're past 320 days, and under a full year, you're still well within normal ranges.

[Blistering Winds]

Did the vet feel the foal move? Have you seen movement?

I wouldn't be scared about stillborn just yet.....like JBand said...mares (and humans) don't go by when the doctor said. Wasn't it truecolors or something like that had a mare go over a year this past spring?

Usually, right after a horse drinks, watch the foal. I usually see the most movement (and felt it myself) around drinking time. Especially if the tank is cool. (babies dont' like that temperature change much. LMAO)

Didn't you just have a mucus issue? Have you called the vet on that issue? If you are worried, run the vet out to look at not only that issue, but give the mare and foal a once over before the birth. To clear your own mind if necessary that the foal is at least alive now.

[katylynn06]

I did have a mucus issue but when I went out that day it was gone. So I didn't get a second look at the color to determine if it was a call to the vet issue or not. Being this is my first foal I guess I'm just paranoid and it doesn't help when every one is asking me if there is a foal yet and looks disappointed when I say no. To get our vet out here could take a while he is very busy and sometimes he can't get out for a week or two.

JB. We bought her and she was already pregnant. It wasn't for sure but it was a think so.

That is why I like this forum I know there are people that can at least help ease my mind and help me not to panic. Thank you

[Appylvr]

Horses can go up to 2 months overdue... After that you should start to get worried and have the vet out. I would before that just in case. Maybe at a month or so.

Hope she has it soon! The waiting is aweful. My mare went a week over and that was enough for me.

[Arabians4ME]

Unless your mare is showing signs of discomfort or something is visibly wrong I wouldn't be to concerned. I think it was wrong of the trainer to tell you that in the first place. I had two mares carry 365 and 365+ this year so I wouldn't be worried about that. My mares on a small amount of fescue and always have been and I have never had any problems. So I wouldn't necessarily worry about that either. Sure it can cause problems but not as often as people think. If you don't knwo when the mare was bred it would be VERY hard for the vet to tell how far along she is. A vet once told me after 3-4 months it's very hard to make a prediction as to how far a long they are. Just watch for signs and changes. I am sure everything is okay. The only thing I will never let slide with my mares (after this year) is edema. However that's because I had a bad experience with it.

Sit back and relax.

[katylynn06]

Arabians4ME
thank you so much for easing my mind. I woke up this morning determined not to worry about it and just let her be.

[Arabians4ME]

not a problem. I have been through the ringer with foaling complications this year and I have come to the conclusion do your best and that's about all you can do. I'll be anxious to hear more about your mare as this continues. DO you know if she's maiden? Has she made a bag? A really good way to tell is when the baby drops.

Here are some pictures to help you out:


This is this mare about 9 hours before foaling.

This is a waxed over udder. I have another picture on HGS but I am not finding it. THis one appears very small but it's due to edema that was blocking it.

Avoiding all complications that happened with this one these are some excellent pictures to go buy. See How much this mares hip and croup have dropped. Normally when she would stand like this her back wouldb be flat.
See the obvious droop in belly? This also shows edema. THis mare should have been foaling when these pictures were taken. She was in labor from about 4 hours before this was taken until 40 hours later. Long story. However these are some good pics to go by.