Pregnant mare?

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

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Hi, is there anyway of telling without a vet if a mare is in foal?
A mare that arrived at our yard a few months ago is getting bigger, but its not a typical grass belly, its low and very wide and her teats are swollen but no milk is coming out, her owner is unsure of the other horses that where turned out with her as the field owner before used to put anything he brought at the sales out there!
 
Safest way is to get the vet to check her over. At least then the owner will know for sure and can start making the necessary arrangements if she is in foal.
 
If she is changing shape quite rapidly you could be expecting a foal on the yard soon as they do most of their growing in the late stages of pregnancy. Honestly, I would get a vet out but if they don't want to they will just have to wait and see. Obviously, keep an eye out to see how her shape changes and if her teats continue to swell.
 
If she is pregnant what shal we do? we've never had experience of a foal on the yard, we have two fields, and one other mare and gelding, will they have to be kept away for some time?
I tried discussing with my mother the other day about any problems it may cause and she did'nt listen, she's now keen on the idea of having a foal on the yard and even buying it if the owner doesn't want it, even though it would only be about 13hh!
So im praying she's just an unusual fat shape!
 
Well, the mare and foal will not be able to be put out with the other horses. And you certainly don't want her foaling out in the herd either.

Is there a paddock that can be ring fenced for her?
 
we can make one, or put her in the front padock, but her owner wont get the vet out, she cant even be bothered to come up every day apparently, and she's not being fed, she just has plenty of grass, shouldn't she be having some form of supplements?
Also anyone know how long mares are in foal for, she looked a little fat when she came to us 3months ago!
 
I think they are in foal for approx. 11 months and they will need to be up every day is she is having a foal. The mare should be having some form of feed and possibly a balancer/ supplement especially if she is in the later stages of pregnancy. I'm not completely sure of the care before the foal is born - we've only ever had pregnant mares at my yard without knowing but they were both having some form of feed whilst pregnant.
 
Does she appear bigger on one side than the other and does this tend to change from day to day?
If you think you can catch a urine specimen, you can buy a WeeFoal test kit, which is very accurate and costs £20. It will let you know if she is in foal but will not give any idea as to when she may foal.

WeeFoal

If she is on plenty of grazing, then supplementing her feed is not imperative, although adding some vits/mins would be helpful.
 
we are the yard owners, we let out two of our stables at home, i think we'l have to have a chat with her as she needs to know if she is pregnant before feeding her, cos if she's not she'l pop! lol.
Also we will have to make her come up every day as she knows we will just do her when she doesn't come up, and i hav'nt got the time and my mother hasn't got the experience to be looking after mum and foal!
 
Ah, ok.

Well in your shoes - if you are genuinly concerned that she might be pregnant - I'd be making arrangments to prepare a paddock and a stable for her. Asking the owners to get her checked out (if she's a pony she probably doesn't need additional feeding) and asking them to ensure they come up daily.

They are also going to need to establish with the vet when the foal might be due - and then start monitoring her on a daily basis for signs of bagging up and preparing to foal. Arrangements will be need to watch the mare overnight to assist with foaling if required.

I would say that time is of the essence - and the sooner the mare is checked by a vet the better.
 
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