Marestare - Mare looks like she is in labour (?)

Speaking from my own experience, it's not rare to give the mare a helping hand. But, I found that quite uncomfortable, she was in there from the word go, and not pulling with the contractions as far as I could see.

However congrats to the mare, what a beautiful big colt and hope all is well!
 
I've never seen a "live" foaling, but lots of videos. That was awful to watch, just awful. Beautiful foal, lovely to see them bonding, but I never want to see another foaling like that, ever.


ETA: at one point I thought it was breech, but then realised it was just the angle - saw the woman go behind and lift quarters away from mare.
 
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MurphysMinder said:
This ^^ from my limited knowledge I thought you should always pull WITH the contractions, as you say this is not pleasant to watch.
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You're right MM; always with. I wouldn't like her foaling mine. Have to say though the mare didn't shape up much either, she wasn't a lot of help herself.
Why couldn't she just drape the towel on the bars, poor mare.
 
I think they made a good decision to help as the mare and foal are exhausted and the foal is massive by the looks of him.I agree the helper was not pulling while the mare was pushing all the time but when your in that situation and it could mean life or death then you do what you think is right.Dont agree with taking the foal out completely as I am sure it lost some vital last blood but I dont own the mare or foal so that at the end of the day is the owners decision.
 
We have been watching the mare, on and off since last evening, i don't blame them for helping her, she is obviously knackered as is the foal. Since the cost of not helping can often result in a foal/calf/lamb been born dead or brain damaged or taking on a whole load of fluid and getting pneumonia i would rather intervene. OK, to non farmers that may have looked brutal but i can assure i have seen far far worse.
 
tbh i feel sorry for the lady. she cant do anything right. she helps the mare. but shes doing it wrong. she checks on the foal. but she should leave him alone. she told us it was a colt. she shouldnt have told us. i think she done a bloody good job. well done to mare and foal and all those involved.
 
foal1.jpg
 
jrp204 said:
We have been watching the mare, on and off since last evening, i don't blame them for helping her, she is obviously knackered as is the foal. Since the cost of not helping can often result in a foal/calf/lamb been born dead or brain damaged or taking on a whole load of fluid and getting pneumonia i would rather intervene. OK, to non farmers that may have looked brutal but i can assure i have seen far far worse.
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Fair enough, but yanking every single foal born regardless of contractions and whether the mare actually needed help?!
 
BSJAlove said:
tbh i feel sorry for the lady. she cant do anything right. she helps the mare. but shes doing it wrong. she checks on the foal. but she should leave him alone. she told us it was a colt. she shouldnt have told us. i think she done a bloody good job. well done to mare and foal and all those involved.
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i agree....and i think people expect it to just pop out as they are animals. We too are animals but usually even we need some help! i actually thought the mare seemed comforted when she was talking to her and stroking her leg
 
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