Is she in foal or is she just fat...

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cidermillcottage1

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Hi all,

I could really do with some opinions please...my mare was covered last year but scanned not in foal - she would have been due on the 16th July.

Over the last few weeks her weight has ballooned and I have had to put a grazing muzzle on her during the day.

But..every time I look at her she just looks like she's in foal and she has really dropped...also her udder was producing some clear but whiteish liquid a few days ago, but the udder isn't actually very big at all...certainly not as big as her field companion - a maiden mare who is also due on the 16th July!

Could you possibly have a look at the pics and let me know what you think...I may just be completely mad!!! but I just can't understand how she has gained soo much weight with a grazing muzzle on for 12 hours a day...any opinions muchly appreciated!!! I do intend to get the vet out next week.

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Just by comparison this is her field companion...
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oh christ!!! I was really hoping you were going to say that I was just wishful thinking and she is just overweight...after being told she wasn't in foal I had really got used to the idea of just having one foal this year and being able to enjoy a seasons hunting with this mare!!! is it usual for such late udder development (this would be her second foal)?? Her udder seems very small compared to her field companion??
 
I think she's in foal.
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It looks lower than a grass belly and wouldn't be fat anyway as horses don't store fat on their stomachs.

Udder development varies between mares quite a lot. Some bag up months before - others do it overnight.

Good luck !
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I think I'd be taking the muzzle off and getting prepared! It might be wishful thinking on her part but you can't be too careful and if you hadn't expressed doubts I wouldn't have thought twice, she certainly looks expecting!!
Have you not sat and watched her quietly to see the foal move at all, you should have seen something by now? The only sure way is for a vet to examine her but I wouldn't like it done so close to her due date personally; I'd be practising patience for a couple more weeks at least and have the foaling kit ready just in case. Let us know when and what she does!
 
in that case grass muzzle will be coming off!! I suppose worse case scenario even if she isn't in foal, she can go on a diet at a later date....

I have been looking but haven't managed to spot any movement yet but will perhaps pop out tomorrow in the field whilst she is grazing and have a good look!!

Is is common for vets to miss pregnancies when scanning then??
 
Because of the false pregnancies reported this year I would get her checked by your vet just to be on the safe side. At least you can be prepared if she is rather then still wondering
 
Well she certainly looks in foal to me. My vet told me that they can be up to a week behind so although early scans 16 - 19 days are a good idea to spot twinning etc if the mare doesnt come back in season she should always be rechecked. If you scanned later than 20 days, then maybe a different vet is needed next time you put your mare to stud.

Never been a fan of blood tests, as know far too many mares which have been worked hard to get fit for competition, upon a negative result only to find the mare is actually in foal.
 
Yep, she looks in foal! And yet, in theory could be a phantom... but it is a little close to her due date for coincidence? Who knows! Like you say, by taking her muzzle off and preparing for possible foaling you may end up with a mare on a diet in a few weeks time, but it seems as though this wont be a problem! Did you breed her first foal from her?


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She looks in foal to me too. I'd be getting the vet out ASAP to put a hand in.

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Not sure I would want a vet to put a hand in at this late stage - but your vet should guide you on that! Realistically though, unless you have any other worries with her, and as you are on foal watch with your other lucky lady, I would just keep an eye on her and keep the foaling kit handy!

So... who's the dad then and what are you possibly now expecting??!!!
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Im not sure... she isnt that big looking from side on, and has no udder development at all.

As she has had a foal before, i would have expected there to have been some.

But im no vet! But not convinced.
 
ktw - she was covered by Thank Heavens a tb stallion that stands at vauterhill. Yes i bred her first foal who was by Krisinksy! - incidently she is the 'field companion'! I think i mite get vet in anycase but as i'm foal watching anyway it won't make any difference to keep an eye on her...

daisychain...your right - she doesn't have much udder development at all...but it is bigger than usual...oh i don't know im probably just going mad!!!
 
Why not get the vet to have a little look and feel around just to give you peace of mind. I agree with the others, she does look pregnant. Although there is absolutly no sign of udder development.......

Where I stable the unborn foals seem to be most active am and pm - and if you stand quietly with the mare and your hands on the belly (back toward the udder) you can often feel them move. Feels like little butterfly movements.
 
She certainly looks in foal but my girl is due this Saturday and has been living with one other mare since she was covered and the other mare suddenly blew up like a balloon and started running milk. She had run with a stallion last year but not scanned in foal so owner thought she could be in foal but she wasn't, just a phantom, but a very convincing one!
 
I will keep you up to date. I went to see her last weekend and she is huge and very docile! I asked for an update on Saturday and there was nothing to report. The stallion's other mares have all been late so i might have a few weeks to wait yet!
 
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