Foaling alarm problems

[Wagtail]

I am in the unenviable position of foal watch tonight. Mare has waxed up, owner's away (on a foaling course - oh the irony!) . She's not due for a couple of weeks. I put on the foaling alarm and keep getting false alarms. It is driving me crazy! Mare is dry as a bone and I have turned the sensitivity down several times. Any ideas anyone? Anyone found these alarms any good or are you best just getting up every couple of hours. I have no camera in the stable.

 

[Maesfen]

TBH I've never had one, have always checked and gone to bed very late (3am ish) if nothing doing (no wax or anything), OH gets up during the night anyway and has a look for me too then he's up about 5 as well. If I had cctv I'd fall asleep watching it so would rather read a good book with lots of warm drinks instead to keep me awake.
In your situation with the alarm being dodgy, I'd be sitting up I'm afraid; good luck.

 

[luckilotti]

I bought one last year off ebay, that was brand new and unused...... It does the same as what you are experiencing! I spoke to a few companies and the verdict was it muct be a faulty sensor. So, i hate to say, i agree and that its a case where you are going to have to sit up.
I should i guess get mine sent off for repairs before i need it.
Good luck and i hope she hangs on so the owner can be there so they can put what they learn on the course into practice.

 

[Wagtail]

How annoying. I have given up with the damn thing now and am just going to keep checking her. I have left the stable lights on and can see into half of her stable from the landing window. She seems to be completely relaxed and still tucking into her haylage. No loose droppings or restlessness. So fingers crossed it doesn't happen tonight and her owner gets to be here.

 

[Wagtail]

Well no sleep and no foal. At least the owner didn't miss it!

 

[Laafet]

My friends have all experienced similar problems. Good luck if you have to sit up some more, I'm now into my third month of sitting up. Mind you it is a bit easier at the moment as I've also got a post colic surgery mare in so I am having to feed her every two hours so that keeps me entertained.

 

[Wagtail]

My friends have all experienced similar problems. Good luck if you have to sit up some more, I'm now into my third month of sitting up. Mind you it is a bit easier at the moment as I've also got a post colic surgery mare in so I am having to feed her every two hours so that keeps me entertained.

Blimey, you must be exhausted! I have put the mare's owner up in our annex so she is now on foaling duty. I really need my sleep as I have eight horses to do by myself. They are still all in at night, and also have to ride or lunge at least two a day. I felt really shattered after staying up al night. I don't know how you manage 3 months of it. Now I'm up, owner has gone back to bed for some well earned sleep!

Good luck with the post colic op horse.

 

[Laafet]

I've got used to it now! I work from 9.30pm-6.30am but will often watch my cameras while eating dinner and will go out and help foal. At 6.30am I walk the dog and go to bed. I get up around 1pm, have a shower and a bit to eat and go out and ride Nickel, sort out stuff, go food shopping, then back for dinner and work! Weekends are the hardest if I want to compete but I just go without sleep and drink loads of tea.

 

[Wagtail]

I've got used to it now! I work from 9.30pm-6.30am but will often watch my cameras while eating dinner and will go out and help foal. At 6.30am I walk the dog and go to bed. I get up around 1pm, have a shower and a bit to eat and go out and ride Nickel, sort out stuff, go food shopping, then back for dinner and work! Weekends are the hardest if I want to compete but I just go without sleep and drink loads of tea.

I think your schedule would kill me! Mind you, when the kids were little I did not get a wake free night for nearly five years! I suppose you get used to it.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I thought about foaling alarms but opted for the cctv instead.
My mares bum when all squishy about a day before she foaled also she had contractions the night before .
Its very hard with alarms false ones etc
think its down to regular checks I am afraid .

 

[Wagtail]

I thought about foaling alarms but opted for the cctv instead.
My mares bum when all squishy about a day before she foaled also she had contractions the night before .
Its very hard with alarms false ones etc
think its down to regular checks I am afraid .

The mare won't let us put it on her any more. I think it makes her uncomfortable. Still no foal. She waxed up nine days ago but the last three days nothing! I think she will be a few days yet as foal hasn't dropped.