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Message |
    
Tiffany Newman
Posted From: 66.82.9.73
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 02:03 am: | 
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I have a pony mare purchased in Sept. She is pregnant and unfortunately the former owners don't know when she was bred. (We just found out in Jan. that she was pregnant, they didn't even tell us it was a possibility) She looks like she is getting close. Most of the horses in our area live outdoors with just run in shelters. She has her own 3/4 acre paddock with run in shelter, bedded down with straw. We have gates on the shelter to lock her in if needed. Her two donkey friends are in the adjoining paddock. I am worried about her foaling in the paddock (it is at freezing every night this time of year) but she hates being locked in that shelter. She breaks out in a sweat, whinnies, paces back and forth, and hardly eats. Do you think I should just lock her in there anyway? I have been on foal watch since January but the vet said she could go anytime between now and mid-April. (She was seperated from stallion in April) With five children to care for I am getting really exhausted but am worried about her foaling out in that cold if I miss it. Sorry for all the long info. just needing some advice.
Tiffany |
Rooty
Posted From: 64.231.52.224
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 10:30 am: |
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Would she settle if a donkey friend was in there with her? Is the shelter warmer than outdoors or is it more of a windbreak? If it isn't really much warmer in there then it won't make any difference. Hope she holds out for some warmer weather! Or is moving her short term to a foaling facility possible? |
Tiffany Newman
Posted From: 66.82.9.57
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 03:46 pm: |
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I could look into a short term foaling facility though I know my husband would not like that. It is a bit warmer in the shelter and we have heat lamps ready if needed. I don't think I could move the donkey in with her because the shelter is only 12' by 12' and I worry about them not having enough room. Also, the donkey she is closest to is only three and I worry about the donkey's reaction to a foal. I guess I will hope for the best. Perhaps I will start feeding her in the stall for just her grain and locking her in for an hour so she can get used to it. Thanks! |
Suzanne
Posted From: 64.12.116.13
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 06:14 pm: |
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Tiffany, in your message you stated that the run in is closed with gates. With the size of you run-in and the fact that there are gates that have the ability to catch a mares leg as she stretches out and pushes and to get a foal lodged under or through the gates as well...I vote for foaling outside or moving the mare to another facility temoprarily. You can always move the mare and foal into the shelter after she foals. Most foals that are born this time of year have a good coat. Mine is as wooly as a bear.
Good Luck! |
Sandy
Posted From: 4.228.249.100
| | Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 11:48 am: |
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Tiffany,
I agree with Suzanne, a 12X12 stall really isn't big enough for a mare to actually foal in. I have seen mares get up against the walls in a 24X24 stall when they are trying to foal, and it's scarey!
Your best bet is to leave your mare's shelter open with plenty of straw in it, and she just might decide to go in there on her own to lie down to have the foal and then you won't have the worry of her getting hung up in your gates or the foal getting hung up in it either.
If you do let her have her foal outdoors, try your best to be there when the foal is born with plenty of warm, dry towels on hand to dry it off the best you can. From there the mare will more than likely take the foal into the warmer enclosure.
You have a good idea about feeding her her grain in the shelter to get her comfortable with it. You may want to try feeding her all of her meals inside the shelter, but don't close her in there. Let her go in and out of it on her own accord, that way once the foal is born, she may be a lot more comfortable taking the foal into the shelter.
But honestly, I would not lock a mare into a 12X12 enclosure for foaling. Just my own opinion.
Good luck! |
Tiffany Newman
Posted From: 66.82.9.49
| | Posted on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 01:28 pm: |
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Thank you for your advice. She does get most of her meals in the shelter. She will eat in there fairly well. I will keep the gates open and keep a careful eye on her. Last night she was pacing the fence line a lot and biting at her sides. She seemed very restless. (She is usually pretty quiet) She is also dropped down in the last couple of days. Her stomach is shaped more like a triange when seen from the sides! Not much bag or milk though. She could be a maiden, not sure of the history, so I won't rely on the bag completely. Anyway, I appreciate the advice. Since we had no idea we were getting a pregnant mare our facilities really weren't set up for this 
Tiffany |
Sandy
Posted From: 4.254.236.189
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 11:56 am: |
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Tiffany,
Don't stress too much over it, your mare is going to know what to do and you'd be amazed how well the little ones handle the weather. I can imagine it would be stressful for you when you weren't expecting a baby! But it sounds to me like you have plenty of shelter for the baby. They really just need somewhere to go to get out of the wind and moisture if it is snowing or raining.
With your mare's belly getting that pointed look, I don't think it should be too much longer, and you're right about not relying too much on the condition of her bag, considering you don't know her history.
It honestly sounds to me like you are providing the best you can for your mare, and that is all that matters |
TX Breeder
Posted From: 199.3.209.158
| | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 09:04 pm: |
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I understand your concern. Considering she is a pony your shelter may be of adequate size for her to foal out. There should be solid sides to insure that neither she nor the baby can get a leg caught. (Plywood added around the gate bottom up about 2'in height will do )She will appreciate her own space when the baby arrives.
Try feeding the donkeys near to the shelter gate where she can see and touch them if she desires. Maybe you could hang their buckets near by. If you have a few portable panels, you could make the donkeys a make shift pen where she could see and touch them during the evening hours. After she foals, you could remove the portable pen. Believe me, she will not care about those donkeys once her baby arrives! |
Tiffany Newman
Posted From: 66.82.9.58
| | Posted on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 09:23 pm: |
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Thank you to everyone for your advice! I have left the shelter gates open for now. I am keeping a sharp eye on her. Depending on the weather I will lock her in the shelter or let her foal in the field then move them. The sides of the shelter are solid all the way to the ground. The shelter gates are solid halfway down to the ground too so it should be fairly safe. Well bedded down with straw. The donkeys are seperated from her with their own paddock by a fence. She can see them and touch them. Once a day I let the jennet out to be with her for a few hours. (The gelding is on a major diet so I can't let him get any access to her hay!) She seems content. I will see about setting up something near the shelter gates for the donkeys so she can be inside for the night. I think that is part of the problem because when the donkeys get out of her eyesight when she is locked in she gets pretty upset. Thank you to everyone for your advice. I will let you know how it goes.
Tiffany |
TX.Breeder
Posted From: 199.3.209.201
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 09:23 pm: |
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One more thought, make sure that there is plenty of free choice hay in the stall for her. You wouldn't want her to eat the straw! She may want to do so, even if she has never done so before. It sounds like you are thinking of all that you can help with.
You may want to keep her in the shelter, regardless of the weather. A small newborn can slip under a paddock fence. It can happen and if you are not there 24/7, she would be without help. It would also be easier and safer if for any reason, you would need to have a veterinarian to help. It would also make handling the foal the first few days a bit easier. Your mare will appreciate the safe haven. Good luck, all the worry will be worth it! |
Tiffany Newman
Posted From: 66.82.9.32
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 05:38 pm: |
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Thank you again to everyone for your help. I think we are finally getting close now. Her vulva is long and loose. Tailhead is sunk in and she is nice and soft around her tail. Her stomach has dropped. She started bagging about a month ago. It dropped down a bit at first but has been pretty much hard and full yesterday and today. I was finally able to express some milk yesterday and it is clear, very thick, and really sticky, like honey or glue. I have also noticed her yawning a few times today which she doesn't usually do. Needless to say I am keeping an extremely sharp eye on her. Do the milk changes sound like she is getting close? Hopefull we will have a baby soon!
Tiffany |
Sandy
Posted From: 4.228.243.152
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 06:15 pm: |
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Tiffany,
Start keeping a close eye on her!
The thick honey, glue milk is definitely a sign that she is close, and the yawning is also another good indicator.
I think you will be having a foal VERY soon |
Tiffany Newman
Posted From: 66.82.9.80
| | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 09:31 am: |
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Its a girl!! Rosie had a beautiful bay filly this morning at 4:00 AM. She actually was showing no different signs than she has for the last few weeks. Maybe a little fuller udder. Her milk was still clear and not real sticky anymore. The only reason we knew is my husband and I woke to the donkeys braying like crazy! I told my husband "either Rosie had her foal or there is a coyote in the pen." We took out the flashlight and my husband said "look on the ground next to Rosie" she was up and licking the baby. We dried off baby got her in the stall with mom, turned on the heat lamps...Mom didn't want to let her nurse at first but has now settled down and baby has nursed two times. She is sooo cute. Thanks to everyone for your help and I'm so happy my mare and baby are healthy.
Tiffany |
Sandy
Posted From: 4.228.249.190
| | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 12:25 pm: |
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Tiffany,
Congratulations! I'm glad to hear that everything turned out well. Enjoy your new little girl |
TX.Breeder
Posted From: 199.3.209.127
| | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 05:12 pm: |
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The hard part is over!Do make sure that you dip the navel in 3% iodine,(anything stronger will burn),all the way up to the base of her belly. Also, a fleet childrens enema within the first few hours. These two things are a must.
Now......have fun! |
Suzanne
Posted From: 64.12.116.13
| | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 09:20 pm: |
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Congrats Tiffany. I am glad all turned out well |
Jos
Posted From: 165.121.85.55
| | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 10:02 pm: |
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Newer research indicates that Chlorhexidine is a superior navel stump dip. You will however need to dip +/- 3 times a day. |
