Expecting first foal

[Dancing_Diva]

So I've ended up with a mare that I'm 99% sure is in foal.

Any advise on how to spot when she's close to foaling and any advice?

How far along in pregnancy would you start to see the foal moving? Also where about's would you be likely to see the foals movement mostly? (I understand this could all depend on where the foal is sitting).

She's seen a vet and is fit and healthy, she's around 5 years old and has foaled before (not with me I hasten to add, she was found dumped four weeks ago with her foal so I took them in) I've not had any blood tests done or scans as was just going to wait and see. I'm pretty sure I've seen movement hence my above two questions.

I have a large box for her to foal in, she's already in there anyway so is happy and feels safe in there. I plan on camping down the yard when I see any signs of her being due just in case anything should go wrong.

Anything I will need to know for when the time comes? Vet's estimated she'll possibly be due some time around May / June going by the age of her other foal.

 

[paddi22]

i'm your twin! in exactly the same situation with a rescue mare. Mine is estimated to be due end of april/may. At the moment i can definitely see foal moving and shifting at times. Her bags aren't filling with milk yet either so vet said to look out for that.

Vet gave me a run through of exactly what steps to take when foal is born, so fingers crossed all goes well! Wasm't particularly looking for another foal, but she's a lovely mare so looking forward to seeing what she produces.

 

[Dancing_Diva]

Ah we can keep each other posted

I know to look for her bagging up, the muscles around her bum/hind quarters going very loose and foal moving towards the back of her belly ready to get in position for foaling..

I wasn't even planning on having this mare! I now have ended up with a mare in foal, a 8 month old foal and a stallion all on top of my own four!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Sorry I don't have any advice but good luck to the both of you please keep this thread running so we can read about your progress, some more knowledgeable people will be along soon to give you advice I am sure

 

[cundlegreen]

Sorry I don't have any advice but good luck to the both of you please keep this thread running so we can read about your progress, some more knowledgeable people will be along soon to give you advice I am sure

I'm also in the same position, although a little different to you. My event mare came back into work in Jan, to run in March, only for me to see how big she was after her coat was taken off. Had a feel and got a real good kick! Now, this mare is always kept on her own, and my stallion, who is also her sire, is also always kept on his own. I cannot think of one time when they got together within the time scale, so no idea of due date.
She has been bagged up hard for over 2 weeks, quarters dropped for a week, vulva slack, then tight again, so its a waiting game for me with the camera and sound on all night. Last time she foaled (6 years ago), she had it two weeks early, so I wish she'd get on with this one! Very large, and grumpy, but I have no sympathy for her. Just hope the foal is correct, obviously. I might add, she jumped clear around her first OI course in October, when she must have been 5 months in foal, and nobody had an inkling!