Submitted by Karen on January 20, 2005:

Just to update you, my TB maiden mare is at 270 days ... and holding after 2 rounds of SMZ & Regumate (Placentitis) back in November. She still has clear amber fluid in her udders that can be expressed, but it is not dripping like it had been. The vet had me milking her out for 5 days a while back to check for mastitis because she has edema in or under her udder, but there was no infection found, and the amber dripping stopped immediately as the amount I was able to express diminished. I never milk her out now, but there has been some fluid in her udder all along, (it is not colostrum or milk, per vet). Isn't it normal, even this early for SOME fluid to be present and to drip when she lays down and puts pressure on her udder? I think she is doing fine and that it is just fluid from the edema getting through, but I don't want to neglect this pregnancy after all we've been through. She is due to get her prenatal shots on Feb. 15th, but I will have the vet out sooner than that if necessary. As time gets closer, I get more and more neurotic! Thanks, and May all your foals be perfect this season, P.S. I have quite a few books now on breeding/foaling, but I have to say that yours is by far my favorite. I feel very prepared to handle this foaling. Congrats on the success of your book!

Hi Karen,

It isn't normal for a mare to have any expressible fluid at this point in pregnancy. I suppose hers is from what went on before and just never went away entirely, although I have seen ones whose udders went back down to absolutely nothing. As long as it's just holding, though, that's most likely fine. Thanks much for your kind words about the book. I'm really humbled and happy that it seems to help as much as it does.

Stay in touch!

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Submitted by Ken on January 21, 2005:

when should i wean my colt mare is not doing great he is six months old now and eating great
will it hurt his growth if i wean to early please help

Dear Ken,

Your colt is more than old enough to wean. If the mare is not doing well, I would suggest weaning the colt as soon as possible. It certainly won't hurt his growth to wean him now.

I hope this helps.

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I had bought a Quarter Horse mare in August. She is about 14 years old, but she was not papered so we were not sure. Last month I was riding her and I saw her stomach move. I called a vet out and the vet had told us that our mare was pregnant. The vet said that she may be due in March or April. Lately she has developed an utter, and her ankles have been swelling up. Do you think that she is due sooner than the vet expected?

Dear Kristen,

Most mares begin udder development four to six weeks before foaling so, yes, I would say that your mare may foal earlier than the vet's estimate. It's sometimes really difficult to determine how far along a mare is, so don't hold it against your vet. Just keep a close watch on the mare for more changes as she gets closer.

Let me know how she does.

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Submitted by Mandy in Illinois on January 22, 2005:

I have a mare that is due 02-09-05, she will be delivering an NI(neonatal Isoerythrolosis foal).  I have some supplemental colostrum on hand and milk replacer to give the first 48 hours of life.  I have never handled thawing colostrum or bottle feeding a foal.  Can you offer me some advice on proper thawing techniques and proper way to bottle feed this foal.  I have a muzzle to keep foal from nursing dam.  Thanks for your help.

Dear Mandy,

Colostrum should be thawed in less-than-body temperature, lukewarm water. It will take it awhile to thaw, but that's okay. If you get it too warm, the antibodies in the colostrum will be destroyed and then it will be of no value to the foal. It's better to give the foal colostrum that is a little on the cool side than to risk destroying the antibodies.

Foal's do best with a sheep nipple, but a healthy, hungry foal will nurse from just about any bottle. If you use a regular baby bottle, make the hole in the nipple bigger. You shouldn't have any problem getting the foal to take a bottle. They are usually very eager to cooperate as long as they haven't nursed from mom and had "the real thing."

If you have any problems after the foal is born, please let me know. I'll help if I can.

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Submitted by Vanessa from New Zealand on January 23, 2005:

Just a short question.  I have recently bred my girl Brandy to a Sporthorse Stallion and we are expecting our first foal (both of us that is).  My question is this, is it usual for the behaviour of mares to change.  Brandy has always been a real girl, but recently she has been striking out with her front feet at other mares (that she knows and usually gets on with) and standing with her ears back, generally being a grump.  She is only be 61 days pregnant.  On the other hand she has her buddy Sparky (gelding) with her and she has no problems with him.  Any help would be appreciated as I was not expecting her to be so touchy.

Dear Vanessa,

It isn't uncommon for some mares to show this kind of behavior when pregnant. Most get more laid back, but a few get more aggressive. The good news is that it most likely doesn't mean anything is wrong. Hopefully, she will adjust and settle down.

Let me know how she does.

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Submitted by Rachelle in the USA on January 24, 2005:

I have a couple of questions for you:)  I  have a monitor that runs through my TV so I can watch my mare whenever I want.  Well, sometimes when she sleeps she will hang her head and start to sway just a bit.  Then, it looks like she's just about to go into a deep, restful sleep and a front leg will give way and she immediately wakes up and catches her balance.  One time she did this several times then finally laid down but was clearly uncomfortable.  She just got up real quick.  Is this normal?  I guess they have so much extra weight that they aren't used to it?  Do they take a lot of cat naps because they're so uncomfortable?

        Next question- She is showing all the normal signs that foaling is near but it just never seems to get here. LOL!  I have been checking the color of the milk and yesterday is was still a clearish color with a yellow tint.  Tonight it is a clearer color not quite white though(I can't see yellow anymore).  Is this opaque white?  And does this mean it will soon turn white and then she will foal? Or does it sometimes stay this color until foaling?  When it is opaque how long until they usually foal?  Also, she has two large bag things in front of her teats.  They are along the belly and are big.  Is this area full of milk also? Are the milk veins the large veins that run up the inside of her thighs close to the teats? Thank you sooooo much you are a blessing.  I feel bad for writing so much but I wouldn't want the information from anyone but you.  You ROCK!!  :) With Great Admiration, Rachelle P.S Do they act normal before they come into prelabor?  I'm wondering if they feel it coming in advance.  She is just sleeping away.....should I need to watch her so closely when she is acting so quiet?

Dear Rachelle,

Your mare falling asleep on her feet is absolutely normal. I have seen them actually fall all the way down. It's pretty scary to see a mare fall down hard on that big belly. They do this because it is uncomfortable for them to lie down with all that baby in there, so they try to sleep standing. Sometimes they sleep a little too soundly and their legs crumple. They aren't really taking catnaps, just trying to get some rest. When they aren't pregnant, they would normally just lie down.

The milk usually turns more yellow before it turns white. It's very difficult to tell from opaque when they will foal. The change to white can take place very quickly--within hours or less. And, as you suggested, once in a while it doesn't turn white until after they foal. So, color isn't always a good indicator. If it does turn to white, she should foal anytime within a couple of days. The swelling in front of the mare's udder and on her belly are the milk veins.

Most mares will show some behavior changes in the first stage of labor. However, a few won't so I never trust a mare alone that is showing the signs yours is when they are as close as she is to her due date. I spend a lot of time watching mares that I don't think will foal, but can't be sure. Things can change very quickly. I have seen them go from sound asleep to foaling in less than an hour too many times. Most don't do that, but you just never know. I would rather lose sleep watching and have nothing happen than to sleep and miss one, especially if there is a problem.

Let me know how she does!

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Submitted by Karen in the USA on January 24, 2005:

Here I am again with a question. Checking my other mares, one due Feb 24th,maiden, not making bag, not really concerned. The other bred twice, firsttime put her due date around the 10th of Feb, was ultrasounded, vet said not
pregnant, bred again, this will be her 4th foal, she would be due March 11thfrom the second breeding, vet ultrasounded said 40 days from secondbreeding. She is already bagging, one side started, is firm, not thinking
mastitis as it is not rock hard and not at all hot and she is not sore, other side is flabby and larger.  I hate to second guess my vet, but I seriously think he missed it the first time around, I know you can't see or touch the mare, but
do you think I should have him check her? The maiden is in the foaling stall. Wondering if I should switch them around.......

Hi Karen,

Hmm. I guess time will tell if the vet missed a pregnancy on the first breeding. I kind of doubt it, though. It could be that the mare is just going to foal a little early from the second breeding. If she makes quick progress, then I would switch her to the foaling stall. Since she has had foals before, she may just show more earlier than the maiden mare. Oh, you're going to have fun juggling them! :-)

Keep me updated!

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Submitted by Ramona in Michigan on January 25, 2005:

I have a 8yr old Arab mare who is due to foal March 1st. She bagged up early but this is her 3rd pregnancy so I didnt worry. On Jan 10 I noticed she had waxed up so I had a breeder friend come out to confirm. She is displaying all the signs of impending foaling, tail rubbing, biting her belly and straining,soft around the tail and flanks,pointy belly, agressive toward her pasture mate,etc. She has been like this for a week now. I have a camera monitor in the barn so she is monitored constantly and I alerted our vet as to her condition. My concern is that we are just now at day 300.(She was only bred one time so I am very certain of the dates)I know that all I can do is wait but could you please give me some info on premature foals and what to possibly expect? Thanks so much!

Dear Ramona,

If the foal is born now, its chance for survival is very iffy. The best advice I can give is to talk to your vet about possibly putting the mare on antibiotics. If she is wanting to deliver early because of placentitis, the antibiotics may stop the process and save the foal. However, this has gone on for long enough that the antibiotics may not help. It would certainly be worth a try, though. If the foal is born this early and is viable, you will most likely need a lot of help from your vet to support the foal. I will leave it to him/her to explain all of that to you. It will depend on the foal's condition and there is way too much to talk about without knowing the exact condition of the foal.

Please let me know how everything goes.

Follow up by Ramona on January 25, 2005:

Just wanted to say thanks for getting back to me so quickly! I called my vet and he came out to see her this afternoon. We will continue to monitor her as there are no signs of infection. He thinks she will hang on for 10-14 days but will be stopping out every couple days to see her. Thanks again for advising me to call my vet for this.( I am much calmer for it!) I will let you know how it goes......!

Dear Ramona,

I would urge you to consider asking your vet to try a course of antibiotics. There is rarely any sign of infection with placentitis until it is too late. I'm not trying to frighten you, but a course of antibiotics is unlikely to cause any harm and may make all the difference in the world to the foal.

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Submitted by Sharn in Georgia on January 25, 2005:

Hi, we have a very pregnant mare that looks like she should foal anytime. Her bag is heavy and her backside is floppy. She is absolutly huge. (we have recently had a mare foaling who was no where near this ones size.) She layed down most of yesterday and today we have noticed that the bottom of her belly looks like she has a huge tire inside, yet if you look at her from her back end on, she has a indented line seperating this "tire" in two. As she is a second time Mom, we havent rushed to call the vet. She looks uncomfortable, but not in pain. Have you come accross this kind of shape before in pregnant mares? It really looks like a tire. Your help is really appreciated.

Dear Sharn,

What you described sounds like milk veins. If that's the case, it is normal and will go away after the mare foals. As long as it doesn't seem to be bothering her, I wouldn't worry about it.

Let me know how she does.

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Submitted by Judy in Texas on January 26, 2005:

I have raised foals for over thirty years. This month, however, we had a filly born that we don't know quite how to handle. We did manage to "imprint her" at birth, but from the moment she was born she pinned her ears and made biting movements with her mouth. She kicks and rears at us with her ears pinned. This behavior seems to be mainly occurring in the stall. When we turn her out, I can rub her when she is laying down and she will come and "inspect" me with a normal ear set. How do we manage this filly so she will not be dangerous in a stall?

Dear Judy,

Oh, boy. You got one of "those!" Every once in awhile, it seems that a foal is just born nasty. Since this one is good outside, she will most likely come around with time. And since you have raised foals for thirty years, I doubt that there is anything I can tell you about handling foals. You obviously know that you can't let her think she is the boss in the stall. I wouldn't be a bit opposed to strong discipline when she shows this behavior. It wouldn't seem that she is afraid of you since she shows normal behavior outside, so I think making sure she has some respect would be good.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful and please let me know how she progresses. Maybe you can figure something out that I can pass on to someone else.

Follow up by Judy on January 26, 2005:

Thanks so much for the advice. We have already started with the correcting in the stall etc. I will keep you posted as to how she turns out. I also wanted to tell you that I have your foaling manual and even after all these years it has come to be an asset at foaling time because strange things sometimes happen! Once again thanks.

Hi Judy,

You're very welcome and thanks so much for your kind words about the book! It really means a lot coming from someone with so much experience.

Please do keep in touch.

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Submitted by Cindy in California on January 26, 2005:

I have a 7 yr old maiden mare that is 333 days . when I touched her flanks the other day she reared screached and tryed to kick me. (this is a first)she holds her tail up constantly and looks mad some of the time. Today I noticed she had a bloody crust all over her vulva. no bag, no waxing .Do you think I should start sleeping in the barn? my horses are 40 min. away and I have to be selective as far as how many days I can stay away from home.I have a husband and children. I want to be there for her in case something goes wrong .thanks for such a great column I have learned so much.

Dear Cindy,

I always feel sorry for poor maiden mares because they don't understand what's happening to them. At 333 days and with this show of a little blood, I would definitely consider staying with the mare since some maidens won't get full udder development until the last minute. It's a hard call when you are so far away. Just watch her closely for any more physical or behavioral changes. If anything more changes, it would be best to stay with her.

Please let me know how she does.

Follow up by Cindy on January 30, 2005:

I'm sorry but it is me again. I am sure I’m becoming quite a pain! but here it goes. Today at 3:30 I found my mare laying down. She was laying with her head up ,eyes closed and breathing kinda hard. she would then lay flat, head down and stretched and then head back up. then flat again and back and forth about 10 times in a half hour. Finally she got up and began to bite at her side and then was pawing the bare ground and then walked over to the pile of hay and started pawing at it. there was 4 of us there and she seemed unconcerned almost like she was sedated. .she is now just standing there doing nothing. does this sound like labor? Also she is 337 days and has developed a back over the last few days. this will be her first baby. thank you  for such a great column.

Hi Cindy,

You aren't being a pain at all!

No that doesn't sound like labor. It sounds like she was trying to rest and was too uncomfortable. Maiden mares don't understand the discomfort they are feeling and can sometimes be dramatic about it. I hope she doesn't make you wait too much longer!

Let me know!

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Submitted by Karen in the USA on January 27, 2005:

I went out to feed this am and I noticed that Polly had been sweating overnight across her withers. I first thought she had laid in something wet, but it was even over both sides and it was already dry. It rained yesterday and it is somewhat moist out for AZ, but it is cool outside. She does sweat before the others, always has. She still has quite a bit further to go, due about Apr 1, so is this a sign that a maiden might have for some time due to weather or discomfort? Everything else looked normal, ready to eat, not soft in the rear, etc. She does rub a lot, not worms. Do you think I need to call my vet or is this the "beginning" (hopefully  no less than 6 weeks to go)? (See history below) Thanks again.

History:  Just to update you, my TB maiden mare is at 270 day and holding after 2 rounds of SMZ & Regumate (placentitis) back in November. She still has clear amber fluid in her udders that can be expressed, but it is not dripping like it had been. The vet had me milking her out for 5 days awhile back to check for mastitis because she has edema in or under her udder, but there was no infection found, and the amber dripping stopped immediately as the amount I was able to express diminished.  I never milk her out now, but there has been some fluid in her udder all along, (it is not colostrum or milk, per vet). Isn't it normal, even this early for SOME fluid to be present and to drip when she lays down and puts pressure on her udder? I think she is doing fine and that it is just fluid from the edema getting through, but I don't want to neglect this pregnancy after all we've been through. she is due to get her prenatal shots on Feb. 15, but I will have the vet out sooner than that if necessary. As time gets closer, I get more and more neurotic! Thanks, and may all your foals be perfect this season.

Hi Karen,

I would normally say that the sweating is probably one of those maiden mare discomfort things but, with your mare's history, if you notice anything else at all, I would call the vet right away and maybe consider another round of antibiotics. The rubbing doesn't really concern me unless it is accompanied by other changes (pacing, pawing, etc.). I'll keep my fingers crossed that the foal's position was just causing her some discomfort and nothing else happens. I would expect that to be the case.

Let me know!

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Submitted by Suzanne in Virginia on January 27, 2005:

I e-mailed you a couple of weeks ago concerning a maiden mare that had been bagged up since 300 days.  She started with a discharge the color of strawberry jam so we had our vet out.  She has a vaginitis with a culture which has come back strep and is not sensitive to SMZ's which is what the mare had been started on 5 days ago.  So we are going the Procaine Pen route IM of course.  I get the sense that our vet if fairly concerned however he is not expressing those concerns to me.  She is not running a fever, has a voracious appetite, is carrying a full bag which has been consistent in fullness for two days and has a very prominent tailhead and long vulva.  We are starting our round the clock watch tonight.  How do you think things will go with the foaling with her current situation and infection? Thanks in advance for your help.

Dear Suzanne,

I think the foaling itself most likely shouldn't be affected by the situation. My concern would be her foaling too early. I can't remember how far along she is at this point, but I hope she is in a safe range--after 320 days. She may need treatment after she foals as well. The foal may also. Getting the penicillin into her can't do anything but make things better.  

I will be keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well. Please let me know!

Follow up by Suzanne on January 27, 2005:

Thank you for your words of encouragement.  She is 330 days today.  Hopefully all will go well and she will make it past the 7 day course of antibiotics and have a couple of days for her muscles to recoup before she foals.

Hi Suzanne, 

That she is 330 day is a huge relief! I expect that all will be fine. Even making it through two or three days of antibiotics would help a lot.

Let me know!

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Submitted by Chel in Cornwall, England on January 28, 2005:

I bought a filly in November which was 5 months old from an auction,  I did see that she had a small umbilical hernia.  She is now coming up to 8 months - I have looked up her problem on the internet and in general the thought is that it will go when she is a yearling, however time is getting closer and I am still waiting for the vet to be able to come and check her.  Do you think this is possible that it will go on its own?  She doesn't appear to have any problems with it.  What do you think?

Dear Chel,

As long as the hernia is small (less than the width of about three fingers), it will likely close on its own. In the meantime until the vet checks it, I wouldn't worry about it.

I hope this helps.

Follow up by Chel on January 28, 2005:

Thank you very much for setting my mind at rest, most kind.  I keep an eye on the hernia and it is only about 2 fingers width.

Hi Chel,

You're very welcome. A hernia of that size should close up fine, or at worst shouldn't cause her any problems.

Take care.

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Theresa,  I contacted you about a month ago about a mare we acquired in October.  She was u/s and palpated in October and the vet said she wasn't pregnant.  We had blood work taken for the estrone sulfate test but the vet held the bloodwork for a week and then finally tested after 11 days.  It came back negative.  This mare was exposed to yearling colts from June-September and was witnessed covered in July/August by a mature stallion.  The previous owner didn't think she was pregnant as she cycled up to October when we got her.  Since owning her, her behavior has been Dr. Jekyll Mr. Hyde, her belly has grown considerably, she stays a certain distance from the rest of the horses and she doesn't exert a lot of energy.  Feeling like she is pregnant, I went ahead and gave her the Prodigy vaccine a few days ago.  Today, both my husband and I could feel the foal kick/move.  That was fun and exciting!  Question 1) how in the world can we estimate a due date?  2) our pastures contain fescue, at what point do we take her off the pasture?  3) what's the best hay to feed?  Looking forward to hearing from you.

Hi Leslie,

Well, I guess congratulations are in order after all! I would calculate the due date based on when the mare was with the mature stallion. The fertility of yearlings can be iffy, so I wouldn't count on them unless, of course, the mare starts showing signs earlier than you would expect if she got in foal by the mature stallion. Fescue is only a problem if it is contaminated by a certain endophyte. Most fescue is okay. If you're worried about it, you need to take her off for a couple of months. The best hay to feed depends on the mare. If she's an easy keeper, I would go with timothy or another grass hay. If she's a harder keeper, I would go with a timothy/alfalfa mix.

Let me know how things go!

Follow up by Leslie on January 29, 2005:

Thank you for replying.  This mare is a very easy keeper and isn't fed any grain.  Do you recommend grain of any type for the duration of her pregnancy?  The picture attached was taken of her the first of October.  Really excited.  Sincerely appreciate.

Note:  The attached picture showed the mare eating from a round bale.

Hi Leslie,

Do not, I repeat, do not feed this mare from a round bale. The reason is that round bales can sometimes get a bit of mold that will cause a mare to abort in a heartbeat. I would probably keep a watch on the mare's weight to see if she needs any grain. If she looks like she's dropping body weight at all, then I would add some. I have to admit that nutrition isn't my strong point. I knew what to feed the mares that I took care of, but hesitate to give too much advice about feeding mares that I don't know. I can direct you to someone who does know, though. Dr. Juliet Getty is an expert in equine nutrition. Her website is:  www.gettyequinenutrion.com

Let me know how everything goes.

Follow up by Leslie on January 29, 2005:

Theresa,  We feed square bales (picture was taken at previous owner's), but I am glad you mentioned it as we were going to put out a round bale for when we go out of town on a scheduled business trip.  I had mentioned to my husband that I was thinking we shouldn't put out the round bale in the event she was pregnant.  Your confirmation helps, thanks! What do you recommend for fencing?  We have the 1 1/2" electric tape by Safe-Fence.  It held our Haflinger and foal but I was a nervous wreck hoping the baby didn't go under.  I am home the majority of the time but as you know, train wrecks can happen instantly.I just reread the former owner's note about her exposure and she was turned out with three mature stallions anywhere from June-September and the percheron yearling colt from June-September.  Is there a certain timeframe that we can feel the fetus kick?  I'm guessing she is about 6-7 months pregnant and she began to show mid December. It's exciting to have a baby on the way but the part I have problem with, is the foal is an unknown bred to an unknown. The humane society picked up 130+ horses recently from a farm and already had 50 on their property with another 25 or so to be picked up elsewhere.

Hi Leslie,

I would be a little concerned about the foal rolling under the fencing, too, but chances are what you have will be fine. If you could run a strip low to the ground, that would help, but I know that can get expensive. Guessing how far along a mare is by foal movement is very iffy since this can vary a great deal from mare to mare and even pregnancy to pregnancy in the same mare. But if you felt the foal, then I would say chances are good that she got pregnant pretty soon after she was with the stallions. It would be best to count on that and then just watch for the physical changes that say she is getting close.

Keep me updated!

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Submitted by Jaime in Indiana on January 29, 2005:

I was wondering at what month can I start to feel for my foal's "kick" or move inside my mare?  Also, where on her belly should I be feeling? She is almost at 10 months. Thank you.

Dear Jaime,

When you can feel the foal move varies a lot from mare to mare and even from pregnancy to pregnancy in the same mare. Try feeling her belly right in front of the stifle. The best time to try is when the mare is eating. For some reason, the mare eating lots of times seems to make the foal get active.

Let me know if you feel it!

Follow up by Jaime on January 30, 2005:

I felt the baby!  Thank you so much!  How cool!  I am so excited about my mare's foal.  This is her first and the first foal at our farm.  We have had horses for over 10 years and yet never had a baby.  I can't wait. I bought your book when I bred my mare last year and I have read it twice. I think some parts I have read even more than that!  I love it!  It has been very helpful! THANK YOU!

Congratulations, Jaime!

Thanks for letting me know. I know what a thrill it is the first time you feel that baby. Thanks for your kind words about the book. I know it will help a lot as your mare gets closer to presenting you with that new baby.

Please keep me updated!

Submitted by Dee in Kentucky on January 30, 2005:

I have a friend offering a 22 year old brood mare.  All of her offspring have been winners.  At this age can I still breed her?  And if so how many times?  Is it harder to conceive with age? Thanks.

Dear Dee,

Whether or not you can breed the mare depends on her physical and reproductive condition. Some mares at that age will conceive pretty easily and some won't. The best thing to do before you take the mare is to invest in an exam by an experienced reproductive vet, who should be able to tell you what the mare's chances are of conceiving and then maintaining a pregnancy. A mare of that age, even in good shape, probably won't have many more babies. Remember that breeding a 22-year-old mare would be comparable to asking your grandmother to have a baby.

I hope everything works out.

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Submitted by Gemma in Shrewsbury, England on February 1, 2005:

Hi, just a quick question...  I’ve got a 8 month old welsh cob colt he’s in at the moment and I’m giving him 2 slabs of hay a day and a hand full of corn in the evening, is this sufficient or is it to much or to little???  I’m also going to put him out at the weekend and will be bringing him in of an evening if i can catch him!!!  What should i be feeding him then???

Dear Gemma,

How much hay to feed the colt depends on what kind of hay it is. If it is grass hay, then you should feed him as much as he can eat. If it is a richer hay, then you need to limit the amount he gets. Again, how much would depend on what it is. A handful of corn is okay. What to feed him when you turn him out depends on your pasture. If there is good grass, then he probably only needs some grass hay to munch on when you bring him in. Truly, nutrition isn't my strong point. But I can refer you to an expert. Dr. Juliet Getty deals with nothing but equine nutrition and visiting her website will most likely be of great help to you. Visit her at :  www.gettyequinenutrition.com

Enjoy your colt!

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Submitted by Patricia in Louisiana on February 2, 2005:

Our mare is expecting her second baby any day now.  Her first colt, two years old this month is still with her.  We have a small pasture and one area they get in out of the weather, etc.  My question is, should we separate them before she has her new baby?  He is very gentle, but I don't know if he would hurt the new baby? I know this is probably a stupid question, but even though I love horses, I don't really know very much about them.

Dear Patricia,

The only stupid question is an unasked one! It would be best to separate the two year old before the mare has her new baby. The risk is actually less what he might do and more what Mom might do to protect her new foal. Many new foals have been injured by getting in the way of a protective mother. Since you can't predict how the mare will act toward the two year old after she delivers, it would be safest to separate them now.

Good luck and please let me know how everything goes.

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Submitted by Sandy in Washington on February 2, 2005:

Hi, love your site, have followed it for a few years.

I have a 4 1/2yr. old arab, 5 if you go by first of year) this is her first foal... she is due around March 10th-15th.  She just started a small bag on the 29th of January, would you say that is about the right time to start up a bag...?  She is also starting to crock her tail to the side, but no softening of the croup yet.  Took me awhile to get her to really let me check her teats out, she kept kicking a little at me, but persistence paid off, now she has no problem... which is good for the foal... her mom was a great broodmare, do you think that characteristic will follow suit with her..?  I know maidens can be unpredictable.  I hope to see your site updated soon, thanks for all the wonderful info you give... 

Hi Sandy,

Thanks for your kind words about the website. Your mare starting udder development when she did sounds fine. Good for you for persisting in letting you touch her udder. I would expect that she will follow in her mother's footsteps and be a great broodmare as well, starting with the first time that new baby nurses. Most daughters do follow their mother's example. (At least equine daughters :-)

Please let me know how she does.

Follow up by Sandy on February 3, 2005:

Hi Theresa, I took my mare out of the field away from the other mares yesterday, she is about 1 month from her due date....  she is in a 12x24 stall with a turnout paddock, will this cause her to stress more because she is away from them..?  I want her to build a closer relationship with me, so I will be her companion a few hours a day, and she can still see and talk to the other mares...  I just don't want to stress her out.. but I guess it is best to do this now instead of too close to her delivery huh...?  Thanks Sandy

Hi Sandy,

I think it's good that you separated the mare. If she doesn't act stressed, then she's fine. She should be okay as long as she can see her buddies. She should enjoy that nice, big stall!

Keep in touch and let me know how she does.

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