Help! First-time pregnant horse owner going crazy

Miniature Horse Talk Forums

Help Support Miniature Horse Talk Forums:

Standards Equine

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Dec 30, 2021
Messages
440
Reaction score
1,296
Location
Alberta, Canada
You're doing great @gypsysmama . Mares will foal when they feel like it and not a moment before. And if you're fretting and worrying, they'll take longer about it - guaranteed!!

What you're going to look for daily is what colour the fluid you can express from the teats is. When you see it go from clear/yellow to milky white colour, you're close. Go get some pH strips and test the pH twice a day. When you see it drop down to about 6.4, you can start foal watch. She will foal within 12-24 hours from there.
 

gypsysmama

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2023
Messages
74
Reaction score
97
Location
San Diego CA
You're doing great @gypsysmama . Mares will foal when they feel like it and not a moment before. And if you're fretting and worrying, they'll take longer about it - guaranteed!!

What you're going to look for daily is what colour the fluid you can express from the teats is. When you see it go from clear/yellow to milky white colour, you're close. Go get some pH strips and test the pH twice a day. When you see it drop down to about 6.4, you can start foal watch. She will foal within 12-24 hours from there.
Thank you so much for this advice. I just went out to check on her and I can't express anything from her teats, nothing comes out. So, I must have a ways to go then huh?
 

gypsysmama

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2023
Messages
74
Reaction score
97
Location
San Diego CA
Anyone able to tell me how close she is? Udders tonight and she didn't eat all of her dinner tonight.
 

Attachments

  • 38AD3E81-C8B2-4C8C-B5D1-85DDFBC48577.jpeg
    38AD3E81-C8B2-4C8C-B5D1-85DDFBC48577.jpeg
    984.9 KB · Views: 0

elizabeth.conder

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Messages
838
Reaction score
1,961
Location
Texas
That udder is getting more serious. Should fill more but they don’t always follow the rules. Are you testing milk ph?
 

gypsysmama

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2023
Messages
74
Reaction score
97
Location
San Diego CA
Help! I just noticed this lump at the bottom of her belly. Is this normal or should I call my vet?
Also, new udder photos from today as well as a rear shot
 

Attachments

  • 868A4CB9-4094-43EF-BBAA-FA0464DF701E.jpeg
    868A4CB9-4094-43EF-BBAA-FA0464DF701E.jpeg
    1 MB · Views: 0
  • 8F7CBB03-CA93-4F14-8F24-A9FC246ABEAC.jpeg
    8F7CBB03-CA93-4F14-8F24-A9FC246ABEAC.jpeg
    2.9 MB · Views: 0
  • D8E72875-138B-4888-AB3D-D92FA2301D34.jpeg
    D8E72875-138B-4888-AB3D-D92FA2301D34.jpeg
    2.9 MB · Views: 0

gypsysmama

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2023
Messages
74
Reaction score
97
Location
San Diego CA
It is edema. Not totally unusual. Getting them moving usually helps. Udder is getting there. In theory it will fill more but I would definitely be watching her.
Thank you for responding so quickly. I was feeling nauseous something was wrong. I've been walking her every night since daylight savings. I guess I should step it up and walk her in the morning.
 

gypsysmama

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2023
Messages
74
Reaction score
97
Location
San Diego CA
Starting to look like you might have a foal before I do. 🤣
Is it safe to say if I can't express anything from her teats , she's has a ways to go?
Or, is it possible she won't have milk to express until the day or hour of?
I'm obviously keeping a close eye but I fear I'm gonna miss it and she has complications and I won't be there to help. If I knew she was close I would sleep in the tack room to make sure I didn't miss anything
 

elizabeth.conder

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Messages
838
Reaction score
1,961
Location
Texas
Unfortunately it’s not safe to say that. Some don’t let down milk until AT foaling or even after. That udder is definitely building. The tears should point down/out instead of in but it can change fast. With how it’s filling in around her legs, she is definitely headed in the right direction.
 

gypsysmama

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2023
Messages
74
Reaction score
97
Location
San Diego CA
Unfortunately it’s not safe to say that. Some don’t let down milk until AT foaling or even after. That udder is definitely building. The tears should point down/out instead of in but it can change fast. With how it’s filling in around her legs, she is definitely headed in the right direction.
Ok. She also has been extremely itchy, maybe from the shedding but also, she's not eating all her grain at dinner and that's her favorite! That started about 3 night ago but every night she's leaving food in her bucket.
Been feeling real anxious. I really appreciate this forum! Thank you!
 

gypsysmama

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2023
Messages
74
Reaction score
97
Location
San Diego CA
Udders this morning, straining out a bit, yes?
 

Attachments

  • CB287E8D-29EA-4A76-B33D-2D21ACFCF612.jpeg
    CB287E8D-29EA-4A76-B33D-2D21ACFCF612.jpeg
    1.1 MB · Views: 0
  • 38F378CA-5109-44DF-868D-31B0A3C68366.jpeg
    38F378CA-5109-44DF-868D-31B0A3C68366.jpeg
    955.9 KB · Views: 0

elizabeth.conder

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2016
Messages
838
Reaction score
1,961
Location
Texas
Getting there for sure!!! I think it will fill more though. When you can, can you get a pic from the side so we can see belly position?
 

gypsysmama

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2023
Messages
74
Reaction score
97
Location
San Diego CA
Here you go!
 

Attachments

  • 6CD1E52C-9169-48E6-B513-8999FF9978C8.jpeg
    6CD1E52C-9169-48E6-B513-8999FF9978C8.jpeg
    2.9 MB · Views: 0
  • 2FB1C214-169B-4F86-9D92-44ECC566D1FB.jpeg
    2FB1C214-169B-4F86-9D92-44ECC566D1FB.jpeg
    3.5 MB · Views: 1
  • B3C07F8C-FA38-4D21-B862-3A886F7FDB59.jpeg
    B3C07F8C-FA38-4D21-B862-3A886F7FDB59.jpeg
    1.1 MB · Views: 0

LostandFound

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Feb 25, 2019
Messages
582
Reaction score
1,172
Location
Pennsylvania
Yes, she is getting close! Probably. I think they are all itchy this time of year.
 

gypsysmama

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2023
Messages
74
Reaction score
97
Location
San Diego CA
Update today 4/2
 

Attachments

  • BBB1F053-01B7-4C0C-AFCE-AC6813705D03.jpeg
    BBB1F053-01B7-4C0C-AFCE-AC6813705D03.jpeg
    3.6 MB · Views: 0
  • 0104BF3A-1090-46AA-BAD0-43A9D1223FB0.jpeg
    0104BF3A-1090-46AA-BAD0-43A9D1223FB0.jpeg
    2.3 MB · Views: 1
  • 000C1E4C-D114-4442-94D0-2F172A55717C.jpeg
    000C1E4C-D114-4442-94D0-2F172A55717C.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 0

Latest posts

Top