in foal what things to expect

[troop]

signs/symptoms anything unusual that maybe is not written in books or not often mentioned about late pregnancy??
eg does foal move around much?

[specialsparkle3]

When your mare is 3 months off foaling you will notice her getting bigger almost daily. The foal does most of it's growing in that time which is why her feed should be changed to give higher protein and less bulk . ie a suitable stud diet with something like Alfa A and no unnecessary extra bulk like sugar beet.

By this time you should be able to see the foal kicking . If she is in at night the best time to watch for it is when she finishes her tea and has a cold drink Watch her flanks low down and you will ( hopefully) see the foal moving or kicking after a little while. Watching for you foal's first movements becomes a pre occupation and if you THINK you've seen it ------you haven't When yo really see it you will know ;D

Make sure your mare is up to date with her jabs and wormed around 3 to 4 week before she's due .

When is she due Troop ?

[troop]

hi she due end feb ...... she definately getting BIG and little un has been kicking around much to mums annoyance sometimes though she just changes shape as you watch its like foaly spinning around having a party. worming and jabs under control but i was told to feed speedibeet with her stud mix and alpha should i stop?? she has recently had days where she slowing up on her dinner/breakfast.... she is in at night out during day (although with the ice rink conditions i have had to keep her in last 3 days not great but its just not been safe). she has started to follow me about closer than usual and just stands as close to me as possible i cant get anything done on yard it takes me so much longer..lol... i just so want things to go well as possible its my first foal ( not hers ). i have foaling box cleaned out will probably scrub it again got a completely clear field had no horses grazing on it for the spring/summer. vet number on speed dial buckets rope just in case of emergency etc... i dont really know what else to do....

[specialsparkle3]

Eek forget the rope bit that's for cows with big birth canals definitely not horses.

Otherwise it sounds as though you have got things covered .She is due very early so diet is all important now . If she starts leaving food or you can't get enough of the essential food down her drop the speedibeet or reduce it a lot.It is an unnecessary filler as the foal takes up more and more room and she can eat what hay she requires. Good luck

[troop]

i was reading up and was told about rope but did think it was more of a cow thing ..lol... im one of them panicky aunties to be fair mummy is so calm and chilled its just me that needs to breathe

[specialsparkle3]

Did you get Janet Lorches book Troop?

[troop]

i have blessed are the foals and blessed are the brood mares from foal to full grown and another foaling book cant recall authors

[barbararob]

We had a foal from a maiden mare the last Monday of 2009 - apart from bagging up and waxing 2 hours before foaling you wouldn't have known she was infoal. It was good to be able to watch her foal with such ease and really quick. We had one foal on the 1st of Dec, mare didn't give us much notice then retained the afterbirth. I'm used to cows and if it hadn't been for Jill on here, I would have thought it ok to give the afterbirth longer. Really important that it comes away within first couple of hours, inspection reccomended, sorry if I've just given you something else to think about. Do you have a def covering date - that does take a bit of worry out of things but if you are anything like me you'll be a tad paranoid. We generally find we do so many night checks for so long that we are almost too exhausted to enjoy the happy event, all worth it though.

[specialsparkle3]

Troop "From Foal to Full Grown " should be your bible. I have been foaling down for 35 years and I haven't found a better book for novices to the experienced I still refer to it at foaling time ! Have it with you to stop you having a panic ;D

Oh and VERY true about the afterbirth. Make sure your vet is a horse specialist---------------I had a huge row with a friend's vet who said it was safe to leave a mare " a few more hours"" It isn't

[kafee]

Haven't you decorated the stable with Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore, knitted little yellow booties, bought a mobile and loads of cuddly toys? No? Surely that's what doting Aunties do isn't it?

[troop]

i know i gotta worry about the afterbirth im totally over paranoid about that one.. ive decorated the walls but damn forgot the booties kafee must get knitting ...oh wait i cant blooming knit ahhh

[specialsparkle3]

Little note here Troop when you get your string ready to tie the afterbirth up ( a messy job but very necessary to stop the mare treading on it and tearing it ) make sure it's the rough sort of string, not baler twine as that slides down ;D


ps what sort of mobile did you get ? My Little pony lol ;D

[portiabuzz]

ooohhh good luck with your little one when he/she arrives!! x

[troop]

thanks ...just went out now little madam plowed me down to get out of stable she getting very pushy..... my little pony toys on shelf and black beauty playing in the background

oh and thanks for string tip specialsparkles

[arabmania]

SS3 is right ;D i remember putting my hands on charisses' stomach regularly after her evening feed and was always rewarded with some movement from our little zaccy ;D
sometimes we used to get a huge kick! that made us jump. charisse was antastic thought and put up with our ooohhhs and aaahhhhs ;D