Honest Opinion - pics tonight

Rosehip, you could try the ultimate passive-aggressive "i don't understand, why would you say something that is so obviously designed to upset me as much as possible?" nothing else, just that... ;) ;) it might make her realise how she's coming across, anyway!
big hugs, your mare'll have it when she's good and ready, as above, ignore dates, mares do!
 
I want to get some pH strips but I dont know where from and if the delivery will be quick enough! My mare I think is 335 days today :)

You're doing great Rosehip! I keep checking my mare, hoping she'll show a few more signs but shes not changed in about a week!
 
I thought Seri was a fortnight or so behind Lottie and was a bit confused why you'd started foal watch. But I am anything but an expert on these matters so didn't say anything. I wish I had now!

Seriously you should get some of the milk testing strips. You can make do with swimming pool testing strips, you need the pH ones and the Calcium ones. And if Seri doesn't have any milk to test she probably isn't ready to pop so you can get some sleep. She isn't a maiden is she? So she should (should being the operative word!) wax up or run milk before she foals. I'm sure you'll be able to get a spot of milk from her when she's closer to having the foal.

Chin up chuck, its a sleep deprivation nightmare at the moment but it will all be worth it in the end. (((hugs)))
 
Spring Feather said:
Aw Rosehip, don't be sad and upset :( And don't get caught up in "due dates"; they're only to be used as a guide just like everything else with pregnant mares. I work on 343 as well (I'm old school too ;)) but it's very rare for any of my mares to foal on that 343 days. I was saying in another thread that every single mare here has foaled between 10 and 14 days earlier than their "due date" this year, so there you go! "Due dates" count for very little :)

Milk testing, if you know how, and want to do it, really can save so many lost nights sleep, but it's not for everyone. I've been doing it for years and it's made foal watching a very pleasant experience for me, but I have a number of mares to foal out so if I was just relying on visual signs then I'd be the same as you ... shattered!

Your mare will foal when she's ready, don't worry. Even if you had the "date" correct, most mares do not foal on this date.

I think you need to lighten up on yourself. You are doing the best you can, and it sounds like you're doing a jolly good job to me :)
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Thank you, it really does mean a lot when experienced people such as you, JanetGeorge, Kerilli etc say that Im doing ok...I mean, it means a lot when anyone gives a compliament, but its somehow special when people I look up to give one.

I had a good look at Seri tonight, and Im still going to sleep up there, I have till the 27th off work (my bank manager is going to hate me!) and I think I have finally got Mum to lay off a bit (Kerilli, the passive aggressive does seem to do the trick!) so I should be able to sleep during the day more easily.

Looking at the physical signs, Seri still has a lax back end, huge vulva (I do mean huge! I measured it tonight and it is from my forefinger to my thumb a la how big is a blokes wotsit :D ) when looked at from behind and above she is a decanter shape, and from the side is back and pointed, she just hasnt got a bag really....

SS, she was sold to me as a maiden, so Im treating her as one, even though if she is a maiden, Im Elle McPhearson! I think even if I got the strips (which I am intregued about) she wouldnt let me draw off her - I have a lovely bite mark bruise on my left bum cheek from earlier, and that was just running my hand under her tummy!

Thank you for the dancing Millhouse and LJR..... keeping my fingers crossed that they work before you wear your legs down!! :)
 
I know you are off work. You're very missed! :)

Just a thought. Could you ask someone to hold her head while you try to get a drop of milk from her? Or tie her up? The strips really do seem to be very reliable and could save your sanity over the next week or so. (((hugs)))
 
As Rosehip has stated these are just guide dates 320 onwards. All mamals are the same including humans (well unless they have a C-section), they will produce when they are ready.
 
OP - no advice to give cos i know nowt about foaling etc. i can only offer a big {{{{hug}}}. you're tired, you're anxious, you're basically a whole bag of emotions all at once so stop beating yourself up!

Your mare looks gorgeous so you're obviously doing plenty right. Hope foalie makes an appearance soon
 
Revena said:
Janetgeorge- sorry wouldn't have bothered posting if I'd seen yours there...saying exactly the same thing :o
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NO need to apologise - the more sensible people who say something, the more convincing it is!:D And I'm always well chuffed when people agree with me!

And you hang on in there Rosehip! Foal watch is incredibly uncomfortable and stressful - there's nothing abnormal in how you're feeling. My OH has learnt to creep around me VERY tactfully when I'm on foal watch (or he'd be turned into a Eunuch!) And I thought I was suffering in the tack room - and open shelter would be FAR too rough for me - so I take my hat off to you for your dedication!
 
:) Ive got to say, its not massively uncomfortable in the shelter, unless I wiggle a layer off or my neck cricks up! I have taken a pillow up there - far better than inhaling straw!!

My Dad is well versed in creeping round me, and telling me exactly what I want to hear! My OH has taken to appeasing me with coffee and chocolate, Pippa the dog snuggles and keeps me warm, and mum wades in with both feet in her mouth! lol! Such is life!!

Maybe I was hopelessly nieve when Daizy foaled, but I dont remember any of this stress and certainly none of the constant checks etc etc!

SS, Thanks you for saying Im missed! Is Katie having Aunty Jo cuddle withdrawl symptoms? I cuddle R too, but I dont think she's fussed either way! lol! Are you going to Kingswood on the 24th? Im grooming for my other boss!

Mogg, thank you! Sometimes all it takes is a hug :) xx
 
Hi Rosehip

Assuming I haven't missed a different post saying she has foaled, then you are still waiting?

My honest opinion is that from those photos, you probably still have a little while to wait (though obviously they are a few days old and things can change very quickly, and... mares can be soooo sneaky ;)). Perhaps you can post some fresh ones?

If I were you - and if I were you I would be a total emotional wreck right now because I don't do lack of sleep :rolleyes:. I had to sleep in a tent in the paddock on foal watch for 2 weeks 3 years ago, checking on Madam every hour, then going to work in the day & dealing with the school run and other child-related duties in the middle, I very nearly lost my sanity, so I sympathise greatly xxx - well, if I were you I would let someone else foal watch for a couple of nights and recuperate... on the basis that it *** looks *** like she has a little while to go yet and you need to hedge your bets and get some sleep now when she is less likely to foal - if you follow me...

Anyway, whatever you decide to do, look after yourself & good luck xxx
 
GinnieRedwings said:
Hi Rosehip

Assuming I haven't missed a different post saying she has foaled, then you are still waiting?

My honest opinion is that from those photos, you probably still have a little while to wait (though obviously they are a few days old and things can change very quickly, and... mares can be soooo sneaky ;)). Perhaps you can post some fresh ones?

If I were you - and if I were you I would be a total emotional wreck right now because I don't do lack of sleep :rolleyes:. I had to sleep in a tent in the paddock on foal watch for 2 weeks 3 years ago, checking on Madam every hour, then going to work in the day & dealing with the school run and other child-related duties in the middle, I very nearly lost my sanity, so I sympathise greatly xxx - well, if I were you I would let someone else foal watch for a couple of nights and recuperate... on the basis that it *** looks *** like she has a little while to go yet and you need to hedge your bets and get some sleep now when she is less likely to foal - if you follow me...

Anyway, whatever you decide to do, look after yourself & good luck xxx
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Hi Ginnie,

Oh blimey, if I had to work and look after small humans too Id be in te funny farm already!
Tonight Seri has a much bigger bag and it has filled the crease between the teats somewhat, so Im hoping we are moving closer! She is also sagging towards the floor at an alarming rate, its a bit like a pair of tights with a brick in them! :)

A friend who has recently been bereved is coming to stay for a couple of days next week, so he is going to sleep up at the shelter with me and we are going to do shifts :)

Now I am able to sleep for 4 or 5 hours in the day time Im not toooooo tired, Im certainly a LOT less emotional than I was yesterday!

Assuming she doesnt foal tonight (yeah right! ) I will take some piccys tomorrow morning and pop them up.

Thanks all for dragging me back to reality yesterday, you all helped far more than you realise! xx
 
i was wondering today whether she'd foaled, my girl's still keeping me waiting too... when i was freezing and stiff as a board at 5am i thought of you! good to hear you're getting some sleep in the daytime, i managed a few hours today and it really does make a huge difference. good luck tonight, hope our fat minxes hurry up!
 
Dito hun, It was perishing last night!! Serri kept me up till 3 ish with herr oh my god Im foaling dance, but then gave up and went to sleep - so I followed suit and woke up at 7ish with both girls looking at me like 'arent you putting us out today?'!!! Off up there now, thinking of taking a hot water bottle with me! lol! xx
 
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