CRERS
Well-Known Member
Hi Everyone -
We rescued a large Mini in bad shape from a local auction here in Maryland back in July. As she started to gain weight, her belly began to really round out and out of concern, we had our vet out to check for pregnancy. Yup, she was in foal (after the owner selling her told us there was no way she was pregnant).
We just had another ultrasound done last month and she looks to be approximately 8 months along by the measurements. Thankfully, she is really turning into a sweetheart - she was not a happy girl when we got her and was deathly afraid of people. Going anywhere near her back end prompted a flurry of feet flying at you, but she now allows us to do her feet and she allows me to clean her teets and braid her tail (gigantic progress with her!
).
Anyway, since she is 3 months out from delivery, we've switched her over to Blue Seal Mare and Foal. My issue/concern is what amount I should be feeding her? It's says .50 to .75 per 100 lbs. of body weight and she is last weight taped at 290 lbs. When I feed her, it seems like soooo much food for a Mini, but I don't want to short her on the amount of food she needs either. Our Miniature gelding looks at food and gains weight and is a little rolly polly on Triple Crown Lite, so feeding Merrylegs this amount just seems like so much food.
I have never had a pregnant Miniature, so this is all new to me. I have read every book I can get my hands on, talked to Mini breeders and friends who've had pregnant Mini's and I have been through foaling before, but not with a horse so little.
We have absolutely no idea what she is bred to, so I worry about the size of the little one as well. Merry is not a maiden mare - our vet said she has definitely had foals before, but still I worry. I have a friend who is right up the road that breeds Miniatures and she's on stand-by for me as well as our awesome veterinarian when she foals, thankfully, because I'll be a wreck I'm sure. Her pictures (and ultrasound pic's) are on our website at www.celticreinrescue.org (available horses page, although she's not available at this time) if anyone would like to see her. She's really a little doll
I would be so appreciative if anyone could give me some pointers or advice on properly feeding her to be sure she and baby get what they need without worrying that I'm over feeding her. She also is out on pasture (not fescue) during the day from 7am till 6pm and gets timothy/orchard grass hay, mineral & regular salt blocks.
We pulled her from Westminster for next to nothing and just recently pulled a 3 Y/0 colt for $50 that absolutely nobody would bid on
We had him gelded immediately and he is the sweetest little guy - he goes home to his new mom next week! I could not believe the prices that horses were bringing, especially Mini's. The Mini's usually bring more money, but not lately....it's very sad.
Steph
We rescued a large Mini in bad shape from a local auction here in Maryland back in July. As she started to gain weight, her belly began to really round out and out of concern, we had our vet out to check for pregnancy. Yup, she was in foal (after the owner selling her told us there was no way she was pregnant).
We just had another ultrasound done last month and she looks to be approximately 8 months along by the measurements. Thankfully, she is really turning into a sweetheart - she was not a happy girl when we got her and was deathly afraid of people. Going anywhere near her back end prompted a flurry of feet flying at you, but she now allows us to do her feet and she allows me to clean her teets and braid her tail (gigantic progress with her!
Anyway, since she is 3 months out from delivery, we've switched her over to Blue Seal Mare and Foal. My issue/concern is what amount I should be feeding her? It's says .50 to .75 per 100 lbs. of body weight and she is last weight taped at 290 lbs. When I feed her, it seems like soooo much food for a Mini, but I don't want to short her on the amount of food she needs either. Our Miniature gelding looks at food and gains weight and is a little rolly polly on Triple Crown Lite, so feeding Merrylegs this amount just seems like so much food.
I have never had a pregnant Miniature, so this is all new to me. I have read every book I can get my hands on, talked to Mini breeders and friends who've had pregnant Mini's and I have been through foaling before, but not with a horse so little.
We have absolutely no idea what she is bred to, so I worry about the size of the little one as well. Merry is not a maiden mare - our vet said she has definitely had foals before, but still I worry. I have a friend who is right up the road that breeds Miniatures and she's on stand-by for me as well as our awesome veterinarian when she foals, thankfully, because I'll be a wreck I'm sure. Her pictures (and ultrasound pic's) are on our website at www.celticreinrescue.org (available horses page, although she's not available at this time) if anyone would like to see her. She's really a little doll
I would be so appreciative if anyone could give me some pointers or advice on properly feeding her to be sure she and baby get what they need without worrying that I'm over feeding her. She also is out on pasture (not fescue) during the day from 7am till 6pm and gets timothy/orchard grass hay, mineral & regular salt blocks.
We pulled her from Westminster for next to nothing and just recently pulled a 3 Y/0 colt for $50 that absolutely nobody would bid on
Steph
