Braxton Hicks

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spollard828

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Can horses get Braxton Hicks contractions?
I have a mare due to foal on monday, and yesterday she was showing obvious signs of contractions, and dripping milk during these contractions, but at about 3am she just seemed to switch off...
The only explanation I can think of is that she was having Braxton Hicks contractions, is this possible?
Thanks :)
 
I don't know, but the mare at my yard who's due tomorrow was doing that too yesterday and then just shut down again. It would make sense that they do. Though I remember my braxton hicks were painless. This mare was in obvious pain and had a quicker pulse and breathing rate too. I think she had started first stage labour and then shut down when we brought her in from the field.

Sounds like your mare is extremely close if she's dripping milk.
 
I hope shes close! I'm back at uni after easter on monday and not sure mum could cope with the night shifts alone! Neither of us can remember the last time we slept for more than 2 hours at a time! The joys of foaling!
I have heard that Braxton Hicks are painless, but I remember a friends episode (very scientific I know!) where Rachel went into hospital with her Braxton Hicks so they can't be painless in every case?
 
This is our mare's udder this afternoon. She'd better foal tonight!
2012-04-13-144.jpg
 
Spring Feather said:
Just going on that teat photo I'd say you'll be lucky if she foals tonight. She looks like she's still got days to go. Do you have any other photos of her? A side-on belly shot or vulva pics?
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Oh no! I don't think I can take much more.

This is her vulva this afternoon. Sorry it's not a good angle really.

vulva13thApril.jpg
 
Wagtail said:
Oh no! I don't think I can take much more.
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Be thankful you only have the one lol :) I'd say, going on those two photos that she's possibly 3 days away. That's my guess anyway. Of course the mare will do entirely as she wishes and she may well choose to have it tonight or she might make you wait awhile :rolleyes:

As to Braxton Hicks, I don't think they really have those but there's something similar called False Labour which mares get. It's supposedly muscle contractions which guide the foal into delivery mode, makes sense.
 
Can you expand on false labour at all? If a mare expeiences this, do you know how long after she should go into actual labour?
Thanks
 
Spring Feather said:
Be thankful you only have the one lol :) I'd say, going on those two photos that she's possibly 3 days away. That's my guess anyway. Of course the mare will do entirely as she wishes and she may well choose to have it tonight or she might make you wait awhile :rolleyes:
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Well I will let you know if you're right!
 
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