Question for experienced breeders re mares flanks

[lizzie]

Hi,

One of my liveries recently found out that her 3 year old filly was in foal. They only purchased the filly in August last year and therefore, were unaware she has been covered.

The vet attended approximately 2 weeks ago as she was looking in foal and confirmed she was with approximately 4-6 weeks to go, although as no covering date was known the vet said she could foal sooner.

She has bagged up although not fully over the last week and her flanks have started to slacken, however, when we checked her this morning her flanks felt hard again, they had lost their jelly like feeling is this normal?

She has gone out today and we are just going to keep an eye on her and we will call the vet if necessary for advice but before we panic thought I would ask some opinions?

Thanks

[sarahp]

I've never used the flanks as an indicater, that's a new one on me, but I do feel the muscles over the rear of the quarters, above the point of the buttock, which slacken off when near foaling. Mind you, as a presumably maiden 3yo, they can do anything, they don't read the books!

[Deleted]

as has been said ... maiden mares can do anything - I've had them show no signs what so ever and a foal there 30 mins later! Never used flanks as an indicater either.

[diadem]

I too look at the haunches like Sarah P describes above. Flanks no x

[sarahp]

I had a very early lesson in maiden mares - checked at about 5/6am as usual (mine foal out in the field) and nothing, no bag, hard tight quarter muscles, mare totally calm, quiet and untroubled. Drove the children out to take to school and what did I find? Too many legs so checked further to find the foal dry, standing and feeding from a now full udder.

I can now normally tell the night before any of mine will foal from the quarters, excluding maidens that is, and they are all used to me walking round and prodding them to see if they are slackening off.