[bnttyra]

Ok, my mare is due around February 9. I noticed yesterday she was walking funny, alot like I did a week before I had my son. I noticed today she is bagging up and is like jelly in her butt. All signs of impending birth. She doesn't seem nervous or anxious but very calm. I have watched every video I could get my hands on, read a tons of things, have witnessed several births and have all the foaling kit items together. We are ready in terms of what to do but, my barn is not up yet. Not for another 2 weeks at least. She is a maiden mare. My question is it too soon for her to foal? That is the one thing I never paid any attention to. I have some pictures I will post. And I plan on watching another video again just so I am ready. Could she foal before February 1st and if so, is the foal in danger of premature issues?

[bnttyra]

She is at 305 days give or take a day, short of the 310 safe gestational days. Here are the pictures.


In the first one she looks like she has dropped alittle, second just shows how big she is and the third is showing that she is starting to bag up.

Because our barn is not done, if she were to foal she would have to do so in the stall in the pictures. Do you guys think putting up plywood on the panels would be a good idea? Also, if she is just starting to produce the colostrum early, any tips on milking her so I could store it for when the foal is born? She has always been sensitive about her teats and even though I have been messing with them, she will still pinn her ears at me.

Thanks I am just anxiously awaiting the birth of our first foal and although I have done a ton of research, I always wonder if it is enough.

[mslwpk]

I dont know anything about premature births but, I wanted to stop in and say I hope all goes well for a easy delivery.

If I remember right a maiden mare can deliver earlier then persay a 1st time mom. But I wouldnt quote me on it. lol.. Best of wishes for mom and new baby.

I wouldnt milk her unless she is loosing the colostrum (sp?)

[bnttyra]

That's what I am wanting to know. Like with women, they say most first time moms go over the due date. I didn't but almost all of my friends did. I just never paid attention to those details when my grandparents had their mares and foals. And yes, if she does start leaking the colostrum , that is what I was asking about.

[Cathie]

According to this site http://www.yellowhouseranch.com/foaling.htm
Your mare is right on track.

I'll be in your shoes in about 1 1/2 months. My mare is dur the last week of March.

[Dawn]

She doesn't look like she's bagging up at all, or am I looking at the picture wrong?

Are you sure on the due date? (i.e. how was it determined?)

If she will be foaling in that area, or if there's any chance she will (and let's face it, about 2 weeks before her 'due date' and it's the only available space, there's a pretty good chance), then I would definately be putting up some type of solid barrier the first 3 feet up.

[pantha11]

As far as milking her I would suggest you leave that alone....I am unsure of you reason for wanting to milk her...may I suggest you try to source that else where if/when you need it.

The foal will be fine being born in the yard if you feel plywood is needed then there is no harm in putting it up for the safety of the foal.


If the mare was less 8-9 months I would be concerned of a premature foal, but as she has little less than 1 month to go, I would not be to concerned about the foal.

In the pic she still looks like she has a way to go, but she is a maiden, and will not have read the same book on foaling as you have.

Have a look inside her veirgina it should be pinky colour...when she gets closer to foaling it will get quite a bright redish colour.
Her poo will get alot smaller and more frequent.
She will wee more often.
Her milk will go from yellow to a milky colour....I tend to leave that part alone.
She may start to pace.
There are many other things she will do but that should be explained the foaling books.

She has not lost her top line yet and may not being a maiden

Have just seen a maiden that looked like your mare but smaller in the stomack have a foal and bag up while foaling..so don't rely to much on the size of her bag/teats.
Baging up can happen from 1 month of foaling till after the foal is born.

If your mare seems stiff in the hind legs, then the foal may be sitting on her bladder pinching nerves, if this happens give your mare a good lunge at the trot...this will do one of two things, it will drop the mare down and she will have the foal or it will get the foal off the bladder....which will releave her pain and stiffness....dont worry if she is not ready to foal, she will not drop down and have it....this will not bring her into labour unless she is ready.

Hope that helps, if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to pm me.

[bnttyra]

Originally Posted by Dawn

She doesn't look like she's bagging up at all, or am I looking at the picture wrong?

Are you sure on the due date? (i.e. how was it determined?)

If she will be foaling in that area, or if there's any chance she will (and let's face it, about 2 weeks before her 'due date' and it's the only available space, there's a pretty good chance), then I would definately be putting up some type of solid barrier the first 3 feet up.

It is hard to tell from the picture but she is definitely got more in there then 2 days ago.

Positive on the due date. She was serviced on March 11, 13, and wouldn't stand for the stud on the 15th. 365-21=February 9thish.

The guys should have most of the barn up by next week at this time, it is suppose to be finished by February 1st.

I guess I am just a nervous nelly since this is the first one we have done everything on from beginning to end.

[bnttyra]

Thanks Pantha11! It is so funny to me because I have read a million things watch videos etc. all getting ready for this event and now, I am all nervous. Very similar to me having my own kids! I know that 95% of all deliveries go without anything going wrong but I just want to be prepared for anything. I guess I am stressing only because this is the first time I have noticed anything different on her. I know that she will probably wait until I am at work or out of town to do this! Silly girl!

Thanks again guys, you have put my mind at ease.

[Dawn]

As of today, she's 307 days. So within about 7-8 days, she could be well within the 'normal' range.