[irideazip]

We have a 4-year-old mini mare at our barn ready to POP! She was bred between May 15th and May 28th of last year. She was pasture bred. This is not her first foal, but it is her first since we have had her.

Her udders are getting more full every day and the teats are pointing down toward the floor. She looks very dropped in the belly, like the foal has definately changed position. We got a few drops of milk from her last night and they were clear/yellow-ish and sticky.

She had a pile of manure in her stall that looked like plops, but when we put her back in after cleaning, she pooped twice in about 30-45 mins. and that manure was normal if a bit soft, but definately still in balls.

Her vulva seems to have lengthened and her tail head seems to have softened slightly.

Anyone care to make a guess on how far/close we MIGHT be to foaling?! We were told her original due dates were anywhere from April 12 - April 28...we are definately past that and, with all the problems mini's can have, we want to be SURE we have someone there and available for the birth in case there is a problem.

We have 3 vets on call and a few local people we know who have dealt with mini foalings before who can come out if needed. We have a foaling kit by her stall with KY, an enema, towels, string, scissors, and a small childs wool sweater because it has been pretty chilly at night here still.

Any predictions/advice would be GREATLY appreciated

[Haas Horse Farm]

Given the milk I would say that you are close. Foaling a mini is really not much different than a big horse.

[irideazip]

Originally Posted by Haas Horse Farm

Given the milk I would say that you are close. Foaling a mini is really not much different than a big horse.

Really? Everything we have read indicates they are different from a big horse...they have more problems, they don't usually wax, they might not even show normal signs...just go into labor

I hope it is soon!!! We are soooooo tired of waiting...but i have NO CLUE what to look for...never "had a baby" before...equine, canine, or human. The cat takes care of herself!

[Rumonek]

Oh, they DO wax, but usually earlier than large horses do. They don't just "go into labor". If anything my minis were much more obvious as to when they were getting close. One of my mini mares will avoid going into labor unless you're with her. If you leave the stall she freaks out! She drips milk for about 2 weeks before she gives birth. Another mini of my waited to make milk until right before birthing. We haven't had a problem with our minis foaling, but our mares have always been bred to exceptionaly smaller stallions than they are.

[irideazip]

Originally Posted by Rumonek

Oh, they DO wax, but usually earlier than large horses do. They don't just "go into labor". If anything my minis were much more obvious as to when they were getting close. One of my mini mares will avoid going into labor unless you're with her. If you leave the stall she freaks out! She drips milk for about 2 weeks before she gives birth. Another mini of my waited to make milk until right before birthing. We haven't had a problem with our minis foaling, but our mares have always been bred to exceptionaly smaller stallions than they are.

thanks! We don't know how big the stallion is...i wish I had some pics of her but i don't...what should we look for?

[Rumonek]

The same signs as a large horse. Getting up and laying down, excessive butt rubbing, biting at their sides, labored breathing when they lay down (my mare was so huge she could hardly breathe when she laid down! lol) None of my minis have stopped eating, or eating less, so don't look for that. My mare ate while she was in labor

[irideazip]

thanks guys, we were presented with a healthy colt on Sunday between midnight and 8am....will put up pics this afternoon and *hopefully* some vids too