Update on Hannah...

Its the best way to be
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I cant wait to see your baby! I'll be thinking of you and Hannah!
 
There is no doubt that you cant beat experience but you have to start somewhere.
It all seems to happen so fast particularly with the first but as the years go on you are alot more relaxed about it and have time to think about it.
Somehow though over the years you do get a feel for when things are not going smoothly very quickly.
The main thing to remember is if in doubt get the vet out better to be safe than sorry.
They generally dont mind if foal has arrived before they get there.
The one advantage to having your own land is being able to trash one field in the winter and not worry.
Not much fun in April when it pees it down and the visiting mares want grass keep only though.
 
Oh, my vet will definitely be called if things are not going to plan (I have written down the estimated times that things should happen, and they are ready to go in my foaling bucket so I have them on hand). I know Hannah, so I think I will know if something is wrong after the birth, but during it I would like someone there with me who has done it before.

I was going to send her to stud, but as she does not travel very well I decided to keep her at home to save the trauma of having to move before foaling and then with her foal.
 
A good indicator is her tail. It will get really loose. To the point there is no resistance, you could bend it flat on her back or twirl it around. You are really close 24 hours once that sets in. My mare went off her food before she foaled too, her temperment really changed. Also keep an eye on her teets, cloudy drops will form on the ends....that means the time is coming! I am so excited for you, it was such an experience when my girl foaled.
 
Oh something I will mention incase someone else or your vet hasnt told you...My vet told me to keep the placenta, first you want to carefully lay it out to make sure there are no pieces missing. If you think there might be some missing let your vet know so they can examine it and the mare. You dont want part of the placenta left in the mare, it can cause a nasty infection. It will be pretty easy to tell it looks like a bag and you can tell if there is a part missing. I wish I could be there too! I love when babies are born!
 
Thanks... I helped with my friends placenta bit, but do you know, that is the bit I am dreading the most! That was two years ago, and I can still remember the pungent smell of the placenta, it reminded me of liver!!!

I am going to have to get someone else to do that bit for me I think, or buy a nose peg... but the smell knocked me absolutely green! Luckily, the girl whose horse it was is hopefully going to be with me too, so she can do that bit, LOL!
 
Hi Becki, your mare looks fab. The placenta bit really isnt that bad, i too thought it would be horrible but in fact i was so keen to check it all to make sure my mare was ok the grossness of it kind of disappears!! Good luck with it all, its such a fab thing when it happens!!
 
Hmmm... off to buy some vicks then!!!

I can't tell you how much I am dreading that bit... it turns my stomach just thinking about it. Like I said, I can still remember that smell even two years on!
 
Becky, I just spoke to the little man in here (internet cafe) and he is goning to scan some pics of B in for me on Monday and I will post them for you to see. She had odema under her stomach - HUGELY and I also have an excellent picture of her bag!

IMO she's got a fair way to go yet. All very excting for you hun!
 
I think we have a few weeks left yet. She is due on 27th Feb so I would like her to meet that date... although I know there is no holding back the inevitable!!!

Going to start checking on her at night so I know what she does usually... Got a CCTV camera installed in her stable, just need a lantern now so can see without having to turn the lights on and disrupting her!
 
LOL - yes Last Service Date. If she was covered on the 25th of March, then she is due on March 1st. Gestation is approx. 340 days, which is 25 days of a year. Not much in it though. She may well go full term or over. Interesting what you were saying about maidens and foaling early/late - I foaled a 13yrd TB mare (at her age NOT a maiden) at 6am today, she was due on Jan 26th, I had another foal at 6.20am, a 15yr old and she was due on Jan 19th!!
 
I just went from the chart in my bible (Janet Lorch's)... It came up 27th, but 1st March is only one day after that so I probably didn't follow the line. Must use a ruler next time!

From how she is looking at the moment I don't think she will go over, but in a way I hope she does for the weather and the grass. She has just over two weeks left, which my friend thinks is about right for her at the moment how she is looking.

She is so fed up though, so in a way I wish it come earlier just for her sake.
 
LOL - do you remember B's bag at this stage in her pregnancy? About 3 times the size of Hannah's and rock hard with the odema on her stomach. Not comparing - impossible to compare mares - they make fools out of us ALL the time! I have 6 overdue atm (one a maiden was due on Jan 16th) and one that is heavily waxed and not due for another 5 weeks!!
 
I think they just try to catch us out whenever possible...

Her bag is big and absolutely rock hard on the right side, the picture does not really show the higher area (I am a rubbish photographer) and it is not going down at all when she is out at grass. There are still two small wrinkles between her udders at the back, but her smaller one is now filling up quickly and her udders are no longer defined or droopy.

I'll try to get some more pictures of her when I am next down there later.
 
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