2016 Foals Due

Custard Cream said:
Thanks crabby, she has history of pretending and holding off, but I'll test again at ten and make a decision then.


EEK - though worried it's under 320 days
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its not that far off 320 and she is known to foal early so as long as you keep a close check on her and have 2 or 3 vets numbers plus those of the yard owner/manager etc with you she should give you a cute bouncy foal with no problems and not need any of them!
 
pH is back up to 7! Milk is slightly clearer and sticky. Munching happily. Inside lady bits is salmon pink. No sign of discomfort.
 
agree she will not be long now. if I remember correctly you are pregnant as well? so may be worth you trying to get some sleep this afternoon so you dont suffer tonight. hopefully tomorrow there will be a foal and you can spend all day staring at him or her :D
 
Yes, I'm 20w and have had a good 3 hrs back in bed this afternoon. Didn't help that I spent the morning in tears (another story) but went up at lunchtime to check her, nothing doing. Her back legs are all quite sticky down the insides so agree it won't be long....unless she plans on stringing this out!
 
My mare was dripping wax in the morning and had him about 10.15pm, I missed it by a few minutes. I hope you are ok?

One of my others foaled early morning, again, missed that one too. :(

All the best for a safe foaling.
 
I'll be honest, I'm knackered. Just about to head back over there. Think I'll end up starting to sleep there as I did nothing but worry all night and got hardly any sleep.
I'll be sad if I miss it, but as long as all healthy I don't really mind.
 
Ooh keep logging into this for news OP! Exciting times but make sure you look after yourself too at 20 wks pg yourself !

Hoping it won't be too much longer and you'll have a beautiful new foal :-)
 
Custard Cream said:
All well, no foal. She's 317 days today. pH is 7 again, turned her out for a good leg stretch.
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Sorry CC just goes to show what a lot of us breeders know PH testing is a waste of time . from many years experience they come when their ready and less faffing about the better the outcome . However I hope it comes soon for both your sakes.
 
popsdosh said:
Sorry CC just goes to show what a lot of us breeders know PH testing is a waste of time . from many years experience they come when their ready and less faffing about the better the outcome . However I hope it comes soon for both your sakes.
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I was always told not to touch the milk bar, the only thing that should go there is the foal, we were also told that stimulating it can increase early milk production before the foal is born and mean the foal misses out on colostrum-not sure how true all that is as I have had very little to do with mares in foal and foaling.
 
twiggy2 said:
I was always told not to touch the milk bar, the only thing that should go there is the foal, we were also told that stimulating it can increase early milk production before the foal is born and mean the foal misses out on colostrum-not sure how true all that is as I have had very little to do with mares in foal and foaling.
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with ph testing you are only taking a couple of drips to see what colour the test strip turns to so it should not be anywhere near enough to stimulate milk and should not interfere with the colostrum. the mare will produce (I think) 1-2 liters of colostrum so if you total the drips that you would take you will probably have between a teaspoonfull and a desert spoonful in total to give a visual idea of the volumes involved
 
Custard Cream said:
I'll be honest, I'm knackered. Just about to head back over there. Think I'll end up starting to sleep there as I did nothing but worry all night and got hardly any sleep.
I'll be sad if I miss it, but as long as all healthy I don't really mind.
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not suprised you are knackered. sometimes when you get to the point where they could drop at any time it is easier to sleep there as you only have to wake up properly when you see action starting (or finishing) whereas if you travel to a yard you need to be fully awake to drive. look after yourself and make sure you get enough sleep
 
crabbymare said:
with ph testing you are only taking a couple of drips to see what colour the test strip turns to so it should not be anywhere near enough to stimulate milk and should not interfere with the colostrum. the mare will produce (I think) 1-2 liters of colostrum so if you total the drips that you would take you will probably have between a teaspoonfull and a desert spoonful in total to give a visual idea of the volumes involved
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For what benefit ? Seriously does it never occur that any messing about has the potential to delay foaling! Sorry but its one of my biggest bug bears that mares are not left alone to get on with it. I have some valuable sports horse mares and in three years I have not seen one foal . I know most will be horrified but thats how I do things never had a problem in all that time they know best.
Just give her some space and let her get on with it . Most problems are brought about by change in routine !
 
You will do all this running back and forth to keep an eye on her, and she will probably have when you turn her out in the morning! leave her be and let her get on with it lol, she probably hanging on because you are disturbing her
 
popsdosh said:
For what benefit ? Seriously does it never occur that any messing about has the potential to delay foaling! Sorry but its one of my biggest bug bears that mares are not left alone to get on with it. I have some valuable sports horse mares and in three years I have not seen one foal . I know most will be horrified but thats how I do things never had a problem in all that time they know best.
Just give her some space and let her get on with it . Most problems are brought about by change in routine !
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Well, in over 30 years of foaling mares I've seen many, many foals born, I've seen a disaster or two that neither I nor my vet could have ever prevented, and also saved a few foals that would have been dead (probably along with their dam) had I not kept a close eye on the mare. They are all used to the routine, they know me and trust me, and more often than not I get a chuckle of welcome as I drag my exhausted behind into the stable at 3am for the umpteenth night in a row. And it doesn't matter if it's one of my sturdy little Shetland mares or my valuable TB broodmares - they're treated all the same. It's part of the joy of breeding horses, and also part of the responsibility. And while I try to be non-intrusive, the little disturbance - if any - is a miniscule price to pay if it means you have a healthy mum and foal at the end of it.
 
Tetrarch 1911 said:
Well, in over 30 years of foaling mares I've seen many, many foals born, I've seen a disaster or two that neither I nor my vet could have ever prevented, and also saved a few foals that would have been dead (probably along with their dam) had I not kept a close eye on the mare. They are all used to the routine, they know me and trust me, and more often than not I get a chuckle of welcome as I drag my exhausted behind into the stable at 3am for the umpteenth night in a row. And it doesn't matter if it's one of my sturdy little Shetland mares or my valuable TB broodmares - they're treated all the same. It's part of the joy of breeding horses, and also part of the responsibility. And while I try to be non-intrusive, the little disturbance - if any - is a miniscule price to pay if it means you have a healthy mum and foal at the end of it.
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It is a question of knowing your mares and invariably you sense a problem maybe a day or two out. The only total disaster we have ever had was a mare we took in for the Vets as they were desperate to get it somewhere quiet its a long story but the mare should never have bred in the first place it had every medication chucked at it to get it in foal and to maintain the pregnancy.
I dont like the way you imply that I am irresponsible as I am not and have good results! However she is not even in the window for a healthy foal yet,she could potentially go at least another 4 weeks. If it was me I would chuck that Ph kit away as you have proved how unreliable it is. Enjoy it dont stress over it!!!

However back to the point I was trying to make and that is in many years breeding horses most of the issues I have seen or heard about are caused by owners who over watch their mares and to be honest they are not helped by this forum if they believe its the right thing to do and they are almost made paranoid by it.
Sorry but somebody has to have the balls to stick their head up and say its not right. I can guarantee most if not all of the the mares that go dangerously over time are due to being faffed and hassled.

In this day and age I have no issue with using modern foaling alarms that will tell you with almost total accuracy when its imminent these can be hired for the one off foaling. I have bought a second one this year as I have another maiden to foal. They also help you get a lot of sleep. I know its exciting for owners however that needs tempering by the needs of the mare and her unborn ,they tend to get forgotten in this day and age. All I suggest is give her some space she is the important one and not the drama and excitement us humans get out of it.

OP please do not take this as any criticism as its not meant to be . Of course your excited its only natural but try and enjoy it and relax a bit ,out of all the animals that I have been involved with horses have by far the least problems. I hope you soon post about a healthy foal !
 
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CC, I hope your mare doesn't wait as long as one of mine did a couple of years ago...she finally decided to drop on day 378.

My two expectant mothers came in yesterday, older mare is within a week of dropping. Foal was kicking quite merrily last night as I groomed her, not sure whether he/she was enjoying it or telling me to do one! Younger mare looks like she's maybe 10 days away but she caught us out last time, didn't look anywhere near foaling despite being bang on 11 months 2 weeks, turned up in the field to feed her and another mare and foal and there was the smallest, weediest, grey foal next to her not long born and running around. For a split second I thought one of the coloured mares in our neighbour's field had foaled, the foal had somehow gotten under the fence and the mare had decided she would adopt it. Shock does that to you!

She'll not catch me out this time as we have them in the field behind the house where I can keep an eye on them from the kitchen window. OH and I have even done a mini-sweepstake on dates and sexes for both mares (I thought about opening it up to other people but realised nobody else would think that's normal!)
 
Crosshill Pacers said:
CC, OH and I have even done a mini-sweepstake on dates and sexes for both mares (I thought about opening it up to other people but realised nobody else would think that's normal!)
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You should ! I did it one year , got everyone in the office to pick a date, they also paid a pound, and the winner got to keep the money. The winner actually took all the winning money and bought me a lovely leather headcollar for the foal.

It was fun though
 
They do come when they're ready and my 'checking' was severely limited by having my own demanding breastfeeding baby to contend with. Mare an experienced broodmare though and (as I've said before on here) she duly foaled when turned out in the field in the morning.

The only check that was done was to check the feet were 'front hooves' and that they were pointing down the way (so you know it's in the diving out position) and we left her to it. That particular foal is now approaching her first birthday!

Try to relax :)
 
Asha said:
You should ! I did it one year , got everyone in the office to pick a date, they also paid a pound, and the winner got to keep the money. The winner actually took all the winning money and bought me a lovely leather headcollar for the foal.

It was fun though
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I'm due to do a sweepstake for the Grand National (designated office bookie/tipster) so not sure I could convince them to part with any more pound coins for something horse-related! As for my non-horsey friends, all busy buying houses/getting married/having children and offering me barely-hiding-the-pity looks that 'all' I've got going on in my life is yet another horse...

If anyone on here wants to take a guess, here are the details:

Both mares covered 16th-18th April 2015

Beachgirl is 22, this is her 9th foal (previously F/F/F/C/C/C/F/F), she hasn't foaled since 2014, last time she went approximately 11 months, 3 weeks. I think we're looking at a foal within a week.

Tracey is 10, this is her 3rd foal (previously F/F), she hasn't foaled since 2014 either, last time she went 11 months 2 weeks to the day and also with her first. I think she'll foal in the next 7-14 days.

My guesses last night were Beachgirl - colt on Friday 1st April, Tracey - colt on Friday 8th April. OH went Beachgirl - colt on Sunday 3rd April, Tracey - colt on Friday 8th April.

I am simply doing this to kill time and occupy my mind because I HATE waiting!
 
Oh my goodness, why would I imply you are irresponsible? Whatever floats your boat. :D

However, there are situations that simply cannot be anticipated a few days ahead of time - the prime one being the foal's position. A foaling alarm doesn't tell you if your foal is coming bum-first and all you can see is a tail. Usually I just pop my head around the door for a moment or two, check the mare and then keep an eye out. If I can see two feet and a nose, I let her get on with it. But I need to know that she's got a handle on this giving birth thing and if anything is even remotely wrong it can be dealt with immediately.

Foal alarms, while useful, are not foolproof (and some are downright invasive), but if anyone is interested, there is a great article here:

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/13442/foaling-alarms-expecting-company

I have several mares who foal standing up, so they can be awkward for foaling alarms.



popsdosh said:
It is a question of knowing your mares and invariably you sense a problem maybe a day or two out. The only total disaster we have ever had was a mare we took in for the Vets as they were desperate to get it somewhere quiet its a long story but the mare should never have bred in the first place it had every medication chucked at it to get it in foal and to maintain the pregnancy.
I dont like the way you imply that I am irresponsible as I am not and have good results! However she is not even in the window for a healthy foal yet,she could potentially go at least another 4 weeks. If it was me I would chuck that Ph kit away as you have proved how unreliable it is. Enjoy it dont stress over it!!!

However back to the point I was trying to make and that is in many years breeding horses most of the issues I have seen or heard about are caused by owners who over watch their mares and to be honest they are not helped by this forum if they believe its the right thing to do and they are almost made paranoid by it.
Sorry but somebody has to have the balls to stick their head up and say its not right. I can guarantee most if not all of the the mares that go dangerously over time are due to being faffed and hassled.

In this day and age I have no issue with using modern foaling alarms that will tell you with almost total accuracy when its imminent these can be hired for the one off foaling. I have bought a second one this year as I have another maiden to foal. They also help you get a lot of sleep. I know its exciting for owners however that needs tempering by the needs of the mare and her unborn ,they tend to get forgotten in this day and age. All I suggest is give her some space she is the important one and not the drama and excitement us humans get out of it.

OP please do not take this as any criticism as its not meant to be . Of course your excited its only natural but try and enjoy it and relax a bit ,out of all the animals that I have been involved with horses have by far the least problems. I hope you soon post about a healthy foal !
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Asha said:
Ok, put me down for beach girl, Colt Saturday 2nd April, Tracey ( fab name ) filly 7th April
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I've just convinced my work colleague to take part (he has no idea about horses whatsoever but says if he's right, I've to name one of the foals after him...ummm, ok?!).

Not sure if these will work but here's some photos of the ladies last summer:

Coalford Tracey
http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/ShesSomeDeal/media/Tracey_zpsfekfpfpq.jpg.html?sort=2&o=0

Saunders Beachgirl
http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/ShesSomeDeal/media/Beachgirl_zps3c0fsqom.jpg.html?sort=2&o=1
 
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