They dont really seem to have a pattern as to when they foal. I have had them foal day and night. The one I mentioned above, I was watching her like a hawk, on the camera and when she was out in the drylot. (I have cameras in and out, plus a equipage system) I had her stalled for about 1 week prior to foaling, because she was acting strange, and every day I thought "this is it" and every day I was WRONG
I went to clean stalls one morning, and thought..dang it..she can get her big behind outside for awhile, I was getting tired of waiting and watching...
I turned her out to the drylot which is attached to the barn, went into to the house to refill my coffee, and my step-grandson came running into the house yelling, Ella is rolling, Ella is rolling..ROLLING???????? I went tearing back outside to find her in labor, she layed still long enough for 2 pushes and quit! My son came over and I asked him if he wants to deliver or hold...ummmm, being the big macho farmer he is..tells me."I'm not putting my hand in there, I'll hold" (yeah, this comes from the guy that pulls calves often) so he held and I delivered. Ella was completely exhausted and didnt want to do anything to help. That is why I said to watch close some do need the extra help. Others, have them without a problem just like it was every day occurance to them. How are her nipples? That is always a good indicator, they should be completely filled in and sticking out to the side. Tail base should be completely relaxed, and her vulva should be a bight red, over the normal kind of pinkish color (indicator of blood vessels breaking) . Heres hoping you have a bouncing baby on the ground SOON, and wont have many more sleepless nights. (boy, can I relate to that, I have 2 standard poodle puppies right now..10 weeks old, that sleep the night thru but seem to wake up whenever one of our other adult furkids walk down the hallway, or jump off our bed)
Corinne
