2016 Foals Due

Custard Cream, do you have any photos of teats etc that you could post? My mare is due the day after yours but doesn't appear as ready as yours. I have taken almost all of April off work, so I'm just preying it doesn't turn up in may lol
 
I have to disagree on the point of leaving them to get on with it. Having bred only 4 myself I've been lucky but several of my friends have not. The result being three dead mares and foals ( too long on their own trying to deliver) one dead foal from membranes not breaking after birth. All possibly/ probably avoidable with human intervention. i have a camera and watch from my house so I'm lucky but before I got that I did two hour checks. I milk test too . I don't however agree with pulling like a tug of war as soon as feet appear , I would only do that if necessary after a check on foal position. We do what WE think is best for our mares, and if a little disturbance prevents tragedy then I'm all for that. My standard shetland is due early July.
 
The one thing I'm coming to learn is that everyone does things differently and will have valid arguments for/against most things.

I was having a conversation with a friend the other day and they milk off the colostrum from the mare and bottle feed it to the foal. They also assist with pulling the foal out even if correct presentation. Their arguments being that why put the mare under undue stress in delivery if you can assist? Why would you risk the foal not getting the colostrum they need?

Actually I don't agree with excessive intervention and would sway more to letting the mare do it naturally. That said I couldn't adopt they completely hands off approach - I couldn't live with myself if I lost my mare/foal over something that could have been prevented. So mine will be under observation from CCTV. When foaling it is my intention that I/someone will be there to observe quietly. No pulling the foal out unless there is a need to! Limited, appropriate assistance to get to the milk bar then leave them alone.

Ironically I had been planning on milk testing but that won't be happening, mare has dictated as such :D
 
ihatework said:
The one thing I'm coming to learn is that everyone does things differently and will have valid arguments for/against most things.

I was having a conversation with a friend the other day and they milk off the colostrum from the mare and bottle feed it to the foal. They also assist with pulling the foal out even if correct presentation. Their arguments being that why put the mare under undue stress in delivery if you can assist? Why would you risk the foal not getting the colostrum they need?

Actually I don't agree with excessive intervention and would sway more to letting the mare do it naturally. That said I couldn't adopt they completely hands off approach - I couldn't live with myself if I lost my mare/foal over something that could have been prevented. So mine will be under observation from CCTV. When foaling it is my intention that I/someone will be there to observe quietly. No pulling the foal out unless there is a need to! Limited, appropriate assistance to get to the milk bar then leave them alone.

Ironically I had been planning on milk testing but that won't be happening, mare has dictated as such :D
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Dont get me wrong it is not a totally unknowing approach for want of a better term, luckily years of experience tells you when you need too. However I still say more foals are lost at foaling every year due to mares not being left to relax and settle than by not being there.
I must admit your friends approach I believe is wrong on several points ,for one pulling foals out just for the sake of it is putting the foal and the mare at risk . Two sucking the first colostrum is an important part of the bonding process . However if they feel better like that.
As I say we have never had any catastrophes as I believe most are caused by to much changing routine wise for the mare at critical times for example when the foal is moving in the uterus in prep for foaling . I am a great believer in letting the mare decide where she foals all mine are outside even this time of year we can observe them very easily if we need to and a stable is always available for emergencies.
 
I`m at the sleep deprived stage with a maiden mare 340 days today.

I`ve had several sleepness nights with her sweating, pacing looking like things are progressing over the last few weeks coming up to 340 days.... she is huge with a dropped belly which seems to change shape every time I look her!!

Monday we had a small bloody show from vulva, very bagged up and dripping clear fluid, vulva very elongated engorged and bulging, nipping at sides etc lying down and groaning at about 4.30 in the morning and then nothing!!

Yesterday morning we had even bigger bag which stayed up all day lots of twitching tail, kicking sides, urinating and straining, and lots of heavy breathing another sleepless night and all has gone quiet again.

This morning slight bloody show from vulva which is now super engorged and gaping, the inside colour has definitely darkened, bag is very full warm and shiny with dripping clear fluid down legs, minimal wax like deposits

Throughout all this she has been eating like a maniac (shes always been very greedy)

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of these signs coming and going?? and if so how long for with a maiden mare??

Thank you in advance ... any advice very gratefully received :-)
 
Magicmadge said:
I have to disagree on the point of leaving them to get on with it. Having bred only 4 myself I've been lucky but several of my friends have not. The result being three dead mares and foals ( too long on their own trying to deliver) one dead foal from membranes not breaking after birth. All possibly/ probably avoidable with human intervention. i have a camera and watch from my house so I'm lucky but before I got that I did two hour checks. I milk test too . I don't however agree with pulling like a tug of war as soon as feet appear , I would only do that if necessary after a check on foal position. We do what WE think is best for our mares, and if a little disturbance prevents tragedy then I'm all for that. My standard shetland is due early July.
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I keep our mare at a stud. We tend to watch on a camera and wait until they've started. Then usually then step in and give them a hand.
 
Little update. There's no update! Everything seems to have settled down, pH is consistently at 7 again, so think she's hanging on. She's 320 days today.
 
Custard Cream said:
Little update. There's no update! Everything seems to have settled down, pH is consistently at 7 again, so think she's hanging on. She's 320 days today.
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Not sure where you are based but south/SW has a week of sun forecast I'm hoping this will kick start things!! Mine is due a week today, bag was big this morning but I still think she'll need to relax more behind yet
 
I come late to this thread and have no foals due this year. I have never done a PH test but have endured the sleepless nights with my CB's and Shagya mares. They have never read the text books!!

I will say, from experience, as has been suggested, that although our mares don't read the books, they are smart. Warm weather and baby arrives. They seem to hold on for a full 12 months if the weather is cold.
 
Here you go Scotty

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Any heat/tightness in there, CC? I often find shiny teats is a good indicator! Let's hope you get going soon so you can have a good night's sleep. I have no babbies due this year, so I am living vacuously through everyone else's anticipated wee ones. Although I am thinking about a CCTV for next year ...
 
I think we're on for a foal in the next 24 hours (probably less). Beachgirl has altered overnight, not enough for the foal to be imminent but enough for OH to believe it'll be during the small hours of tomorrow morning. He's at home all day so keeping an eye on her for any changes throughout the day; I'll be home from work by 5 tonight so will take over until about 11 and then we'll double up to do the 'graveyard shift' together. She's more than capable of bringing #9 into the world by herself as she did with her last foal however we like to be there in case help is needed (and it's been needed in the past with a couple of mares).

Struggling to concentrate in work now!
 
Crosshill Pacers said:
I think we're on for a foal in the next 24 hours (probably less). Beachgirl has altered overnight, not enough for the foal to be imminent but enough for OH to believe it'll be during the small hours of tomorrow morning. He's at home all day so keeping an eye on her for any changes throughout the day; I'll be home from work by 5 tonight so will take over until about 11 and then we'll double up to do the 'graveyard shift' together. She's more than capable of bringing #9 into the world by herself as she did with her last foal however we like to be there in case help is needed (and it's been needed in the past with a couple of mares).

Struggling to concentrate in work now!
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Brilliant, which will mean I picked the right day ! Hope all goes well
 
Anyone else up?! I've just taken over from OH on foal watch, camped out on a bale of shavings with the dog for company. Beachgirl hasn't shown much sign of doing anything since nightfall but in the last half hour has become uncomfortable, tail lifting up and down more frequently and more agitated in the stable. That said she's back to munching on some hay now so she's probably at it. Thank god it's not that cold and it's not raining.
 
Tetrarch 1911 said:
Any heat/tightness in there, CC? I often find shiny teats is a good indicator! Let's hope you get going soon so you can have a good night's sleep. I have no babbies due this year, so I am living vacuously through everyone else's anticipated wee ones. Although I am thinking about a CCTV for next year ...
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Boobs have been hot and tight for the last month! She's definitely plateaued, the initial excitement a couple of weeks ago must have just been her getting ready. She's out in the rain in the field today looking happy as larry. Day 322 today...her last foal 9 years ago came on day 331.
 
Crosshill Pacers said:
Anyone else up?! I've just taken over from OH on foal watch, camped out on a bale of shavings with the dog for company. Beachgirl hasn't shown much sign of doing anything since nightfall but in the last half hour has become uncomfortable, tail lifting up and down more frequently and more agitated in the stable. That said she's back to munching on some hay now so she's probably at it. Thank god it's not that cold and it's not raining.
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How have you got on Crosshill? Any sign?
 
One of these mares has got to have their baby soon!!!
Mine was starting to look like she might be gearing up on Thursday then apparently spent her spare time galloping around the field yesterday (I mean how/why!!!!!) and came in with barely a bag.
 
Nothing. OH took over at 4, he came back around 5 and said she was eating hay and calling to the other mare and wasn't having a foal any time soon.

He's away to Wales now so I'm on duty all day and am just about to cancel a rare girls night out because it looks like it could be tonight/tomorrow morning now instead. Thankfully the group are all horse owners (and breeders) so hopefully they'll understand!
 
Congratulations! Photos def needed!!!

My wonderful hubby is in the process of setting up a camera that can take photos and send them to us every 30s.....works brilliantly on our home wifi, but the test is if it will work on the 3G at the yard....
 
Ok so wee man has finally figured out where the free milk bar is and how to use his legs. Beachgirl has been an old pro and adores him. I'll be honest, I've not had that immediate maternal overload that I've had with some of the foals in the past...I think it's the worrying that everything is going ok.

He's VERY vocal. Groans when he poos, slurps when he's sucking, whinnies like it's going out of fashion.

Will try to get some photos on here as soon as. But for now could do with some help - a name. His racing name is going to be Crosshill Costa but we are stumped for a nickname. He doesn't look like a Costa so suggestions welcome. Dam = Saunders Beachgirl and sire = Eagle Luck. No significance for April 3rd for OH or me.

Names he can't have as I don't like to re-use are:

Bill, Wilko, Stevie, Charlie, Freddie, Donny, Kenny, Joey, Jimmy, Digby, Parker or Ronnie.

He's come out a kind of muddy brown/pale grey colour which from experience means he should turn jet black. Dam is black, sire is dark bay. Tiny bit of white on both back legs (and I mean a few hairs), one half-white hoof. No other markings. He's also quite big like his older sister Jenny who we bred (Crosshill Azalea), all legs!
 
Names ending in y sound (looks as though you like those) you haven't had yet: Olly, or Marty - any good? Congratulations, by the way!
 
Congratulations on the safe arrival!! :)

CC if you get the camera working would you mind giving me the details please? I've had a nightmare setting my camera up and I'm thinking up giving up and buying a new setup and starting from scratch.
 
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