Sandy B
Well-Known Member
Most of you all know about the horrible year we had last year with our two pregnant mares (lost two foals and a mare or first year with minis). I have foaled out many large horses over 25 years and thank God have never had any major complications. Then last year, our very first year expecting mini foals, we get hit with the worst- red bag, severe dystocia and a cola that did not make it out of the sac. We thought we were prepared and actually were, so we thought. This year, we have added Equipage monitors as a back up to our cameras we have had for years and we have milk test strips as well. I also have a complete foaling kit with everything you could imagine possible and we built a hoist in one of the stalls. My vet lives down the street and she is also ready for any 911 call from me. So I think I am ready, but am I?
We have two mini mares in with halter alarms and under cameras right now. One is 313 days and the other 312 days. The 312 day mare has been bagging up for some time and the last several days has really increased in size. Then this morning instead of getting clear liquid out, it has switched over to non fat milk color which surprised me as her udder still has a ways to go in my opinion. The other mare a day ahead of her has just started getting her udder but there is nothing in it. I have heard all the stories if mini mares do not follow the foaling text book and most do not wax but if this was a full sized horse getting its milk in, we would typically be expecting a foal very soon. She is also very quiet and not eating with her normal gusto, but this started last night ad I wrote it off to their pre-foaling booster vaccines they got yesterday afternoon even though the other mini mare is acting normal. So this mare is getting her milk in, is very quiet, and off her feed some. I can not milk her enough to do the test strips, but can get enough in a clear cup to see the color well. Do you think it is the vaccinations or her getting close to foaling? Her vulva is not as relaxed as I would expect it to be but I know these things can change rapidly. Do mini mares typically get their milk in right before foaling like most big horses do, or can they get it in weeks before?
We have two mini mares in with halter alarms and under cameras right now. One is 313 days and the other 312 days. The 312 day mare has been bagging up for some time and the last several days has really increased in size. Then this morning instead of getting clear liquid out, it has switched over to non fat milk color which surprised me as her udder still has a ways to go in my opinion. The other mare a day ahead of her has just started getting her udder but there is nothing in it. I have heard all the stories if mini mares do not follow the foaling text book and most do not wax but if this was a full sized horse getting its milk in, we would typically be expecting a foal very soon. She is also very quiet and not eating with her normal gusto, but this started last night ad I wrote it off to their pre-foaling booster vaccines they got yesterday afternoon even though the other mini mare is acting normal. So this mare is getting her milk in, is very quiet, and off her feed some. I can not milk her enough to do the test strips, but can get enough in a clear cup to see the color well. Do you think it is the vaccinations or her getting close to foaling? Her vulva is not as relaxed as I would expect it to be but I know these things can change rapidly. Do mini mares typically get their milk in right before foaling like most big horses do, or can they get it in weeks before?
Last edited by a moderator: