How early can a foal arrive?

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competitiondiva

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My mare is 298 days today, and she has tonight got a soft/slakened muscle either side of her anus. Her hind quarters are warm. She started to bag up about 4 days ago, she's not massive in her udder yet and not running fluid. She's bigger in the morning, after being stabled for the night. She is still holding the foal in her abdomen rather than further back at present, but no one on the yard can see her going another month! She is a maiden and a partbred.
 
If you have a mare running milk at 300 days I would get a vet to look at her. I looked at a mare yesterday 6 weeks from foaling dripping millk - she has a placentitis and she is now on antibiotics and ive warned the owners she may abort.

If there is nothing wrong and your mare is pulling your leg youve lost a vets call out fee, if you loose your foal you lose alot more.
 
I had a foal three weeks 'early' which was perfect and no problems at all.
I queried this question with the vet and an equine forum (USA) because I was concerned that perhaps an early foal would have some non developed problems.

Their reply - it comes when they are ready - they don't read the books!

Anyway - your mare sounds like she starting thinking about getting ready, so don't worry too much, just keep your eyes peeled now. Some mares bag up three to four weeks before foaling some leave it till the lasy minute.

The more I do it, the less I know.

Good Luck, but don't worry at the moment
 
Woostar is right - get your vet to check her out At 300 days, a foal is VERY borderline indeed (unless a miniature which can go a bit earlier.) Placentitis is a very real risk and untreated, foal has little or no chance.

The earliest I have had a mare foal (a healthy live foal) is 318 days - that mare always foals early. And several foaled healthy foals at 320 - 326 days - that's 3 weeks 'early' but within 'normal' limits.

Hopefully your mare WILL hang on for a couple of weeks - but for peace of mind, get her checked out.
 
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