Fat or foal!!

W

wilson23xo

Member
Joined
3 May 2015
Messages
10
Visit site
hi everyone I have an issue but may be totally blown out of proportion! I got a little 13.2 Irish sports pony Grey from Ireland four months ago, when she came she was in poor condition, therefore she was put in a larger field with 3 other horses I live in Scotland so it was still winter at this point she also had access to hay, and was getting a decent amount of feed! And is also ridden 4-5 days a week. It is now May and the weather has been up and down like a yo yo one minute it's raining/snowing then the sun is beaming for weeks therefore the grass has just sprung up! So anyways I thought she was putting weight on nicely but one of the girls at the yard asked if she was pregnant!! Cause she hadn't saw her for a few days and she thought she had put on a lot of weight, of course when someone said this I was like what! I don't know! What if she is I get in a flap because I don't have a clue about breeding! I thought it was just cause she was getting a decent amount to eat and the spring grass has came through! From my point of view I thought she was looking good she put on a bit of crest first and was gradually putting on the weight! But because this was mentioned in paranoid now because I don't know what the signs of the pregnancy are should she be bigger etc I don't know anyone tell me what I should look out for? The only thing she doesn't like is when I go down to her belly/teats her ears go flat back and she growles at me...not sure how to attach pictures but I only have side views of her 4 weeks before she was gaining weight and 4 weeks after. I just don't want to call a vet out if she just looks fat! Like I say it could all just be blown out of proportion! Only asking for a wee bit of advice, thank you ☺️

21st March
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/natz_wilson23/Mobile Uploads/image_zpsfnuj9vdq.jpg

10th April
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/natz_wilson23/Mobile Uploads/image_zpsdopjmvoo.jpg

26th April
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a216/natz_wilson23/Mobile Uploads/image_zpsekrdnszu.jpg
 
It just looks like normal weight gain to me, if she was in foal I would expect to see more of a belly in the first photo unless it was a very late covering if she got caught over last summer she would be showing something by March, I would keep an eye on her but would not get the vet out especially, maybe next time they are out for something routine ask their opinion if she gets bigger as time goes on.
 
Sometimes with a very fat horse it can be difficult to tell, especially with a maiden. If they have had a foal before you get a "big belly" look. I had one once, bought a mare that wasn't supposed to be in foal, but all through the winter I kept thinking "I wonder" and yes, she had a stillborn foal, which on further investigation was why she was sold as she was very well bred and had had dead foals before.

So, as to yours - no it doesn't look as though she is in foal, but do keep an eye on her as it could have been a very late covering. Don't do anything about feeding her up, try to keep a normal weight. And DO try to handle round her teats, as if she does happen to produce a foal they should be used to it, otherwiseyou have a tickly maiden mare and a hungry foal.
 
No I would stake my life she isn't in foal. She would be MUCH bigger by this time of year even if it was a very late foal. Also, it's not an in-foal shape.
 
A bit of an aside, but is there any truth in the rumours that human pregnancy kits work on horses by testing a sample of urine?
 
Great thank you everyone can put my mind at rest, I will keep an eye on her though! But I thought she was putting the weight on nicely, I have measured her belly today and will check in a couple of weeks to see if there's any drastic change but I was brushing her belly etc today and she wasn't bothered! She is still her usual self no change in behaviour either, so I will keep an eye on her but won't worry! Thank you all appreciate it!
 
I would say, no, she isn't in foal but I will also say, watch that grass. It appears to be very rich for a pony of her size and you have seen just how quickly she can put on the weight. I would start muzzling / restricting her now to be on the safe side...
 
We have a Section A who has had phantom pregnancies. She's had one this year we honestly thought she was pregnant could of sworn we seen a foal moving in her belly we got vet to check her out but no foal .she went massive was put on a diet the weight has just started to come off now .To me your horse looks just fine but if in doubt the vet is a phone call away for peace of mind .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top