Missy's Foaling Thread - HE'S HERE!!!!

Yes, the pictures were a fabulous start for us to see and use for a baseline. She's a pretty girl, and this will be fun to watch.

 

[MissysMum]

Yes, the pictures were a fabulous start for us to see and use for a baseline. She's a pretty girl, and this will be fun to watch.

Brilliant! Thank you!!

 

[MissysMum]

We have ballooned!

 

[MountainWoman]

I see a beautiful mare but I have to tell you I'm envious of your grass!!! She's looking fabulous and so pretty.

 

[MissysMum]

I see a beautiful mare but I have to tell you I'm envious of your grass!!! She's looking fabulous and so pretty.

Thank you! The only grass for miles I must admit!!

 

[Ryan Johnson]

Shes looking great, cant wait to see what colour her little one will be

 

[MissysMum]

Shes looking great, cant wait to see what colour her little one will be

Would love a little spotted foal but can't see that happening - Predicting a piebald!!

 

[AnnaC]

She's lookig good, progressing nicely. Now the next thing to think about is worming. I dont know when you last wormed her, but we usually worm brood mares approx 4 weeks before they are due, so you need to do her now using an Ivermectin based wormer. Keep the rest of the wormer handy as you will also need (or it is a good idea) to worm her again within 12 hours of the foal being born. Dont give Equest wormer to minis, not good, but Equimax, Maximec or one of those would be suitable. Your local feed store should have a choice of Ivermectin wormers available so no need to go to your vet.

 

WOW! She's looking fabulous. See if you can get another picture standing at her back side and looking down her sides. I'm interested to see how that little one is "riding".

And now is the time to worm, for sure. Fantastic!

 

[MissysMum]

Good afternoon guys!

Forgot to take photo's of her back/front today sadly but will get some tomorrow!! She was last wormed 6 weeks ago with a wormer safe for in foal mares (Completely forgot name) - I must admit, I did take a sneaky peek at her udder but there is still no development. Is this normal?

She won't let me touch her stomach and refused to leave the yard again today, put her in the mini paddock for an hour but she was not herself today!!

 

[AnnaC]

Mares often have off days especially during the last few weeks before foaling. A lot of them can go off their food or dont finish up their feeds, all this is quite normal as the baby is really taking up so much of the available space! Just make sure there is a constant supply of hay to nibble on and maybe reduce the size of feed offered at a time, giving a greater number of smaller feeds.

It would help to know what you last wormed her with, but no matter, she should still be wormed again now with that Ivermectin based wormer, they are all safe for pregnant and lactating mares as far as I know, but the label on the wormer will confirm this for you.

 

Totally safe to worm her again, and be ready with Ivermectin on foaling day!

Such a pretty picture of her! Love those markings!

 

[MissysMum]

Thank you lovelies. I shall get her wormed again

She's due her second tetanus jab within the next 3 weeks so hopefully baby hangs on in there!

She also isn't hanging round - Like, you can see her belly when she walks from the front and back but when she stands it disappears! Hoping this is normal too?

Yet another 'off' day - refused to leave her stable. Eating well but still refusing to let me touch her belly.

Hope she picks up soon. That's day 3 of no walkies!

Really doesn't look like there's any progress but she is round when she walks!!

She should be 313 days today!

 

[MountainWoman]

I just love her markings. She doesn't look pregnant from behind but wondering if it's because the baby has dropped? I can't wait to see what a pretty baby she's going to have.

 

[MissysMum]

But weirdly, when she walks, she waddles and her belly swings!

Starting to think either baby is small or she isn't actually pregnant!!

 

[MissysMum]

I just love her markings. She doesn't look pregnant from behind but wondering if it's because the baby has dropped? I can't wait to see what a pretty baby she's going to have.

I have no idea, I am certain of movement. Here's a video I took a few weeks ago and this is what I see daily so if it's not a baby then God knows!!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1404735813115680&set=vb.100007378243421&type=3&theater

 

[AnnaC]

It could be that the baby has dropped - so she would look less in foal in general, but would 'sway' when walking. By the way I think you should insist that she take her walkies as it is good for her.

Any sign of udder improvement?

 

Yes, certainly INSIST she go on her walkies. She needs to develop the full strength she'll need to foal. And I'm with Anna, if baby dropped, her looking less pregnant from behind is what we'd expect. We call it "slab-sided" but then baby is low and getting ready -- baby's spine is lined up with momma's, so there is less baby sticking out the sides. Perfectly normal!

 

[AnnaC]

Just picking up on your comment about her tetanus jab - is this the second one that starts her programme or her second yearly booster? If it is her booster then it wont hurt to have it done a few weeks early as the norm is to do mares four weeks before the foaling date, so it would be better to get it done asap. If it is the second one at the start of her programme, then have a word with your vet as I'm not sure how safe it is to do it this close to foaling nor whether she will be covered. Perhaps someone else can tell us?

 

[MissysMum]

Hello guys!!

This is her start of her tetanus so this is the second part of it - Shall have a word with the vet!!

Udders are starting, I am sure of it!

This is about 3 weeks ago:

They have definitely dropped and separated! Hoping that's normal too? Sorry about all the questions!!

(Not sure what i'm looking for, just noting the changes)

Haven't seen movement this morning but taking her for a walk this afternoon! Exciting stuff!!!