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Post by sparkle on Oct 23, 2009 8:38:17 GMT
My mare is currently in foal and she's 6 months pregnant.
I've been recommeded Baileys stud Pellets, Alfa A oil and fast fibre. As this is my first time having her put in foal is this sufficiant enough for her or would there be anything else you'd recommend? The grazing isnt brilliant but there's enough and she gets PLENTY of hay too.
Thanks
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Post by roseview on Oct 23, 2009 9:16:54 GMT
Depends on her breeding etc. My Welsh mares only get feed towards the very end of gestation. My mare is over 5 months and will remain out and unfed until about a month beforehand.
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Post by sparkle on Oct 23, 2009 9:32:15 GMT
She's a TB, 16.1 not very good doer - does that help?
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Oct 23, 2009 14:48:30 GMT
Most foal growth takes place in the last few months so they don't really need a lot extra until then. Making sure she has all necessary micronutrients and keeping an eye on her body condition and feeding according to that should do it for the time being.
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vjc
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Post by vjc on Oct 27, 2009 20:56:22 GMT
like sarahp says, the most fetal growth takes place in the mares trimester , the last third of her pregnancy. Most mares will rob their own bodies and give goodness to the growing foal first so it is important to keep an eye on her condition. With a thoroughbred you are right to give her stud pellets, i use spillers as i believe they have a few more nutrients than some brands, and i also give dodson and horrell fibergy with some kwick beet. Hay should be of good quality as musty hay can be a problem in pregnant mares. When foaling time arrives the mare should be in good condition but not overfat as this can impeed the slackening of the muscles in the quarters which is vital for an easy passage for the foal. Finally good luck!!! looking forward to pics of your newborn  |
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Post by sparkle on Oct 28, 2009 16:40:30 GMT
I was going to start her a little bit early (8 weeks before the last trimester - she's due in April) as she's a TB and she's not a brilliant 'doer' I wanted to make sure she was in good condition as the foetus got bigger and I wasnt panicing and trying to get her weight back up in the last 3 months so wanted to keep it consistant. Does that make sense? EEKKKK I'm so nervous/excited aarrggghhh  She's got 25 weeks left and I'm nervous already!  |
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vjc
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Post by vjc on Oct 28, 2009 17:31:29 GMT
;D you sound a very exciting future mum no one knows your mare like yourself so just keep an eye on her, if you think she needs more food, adjust amount accordingly. My mare is due late may so you will be a mum first!!! ;D |
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Post by sparkle on Nov 2, 2009 9:21:16 GMT
I am VERY excited!!! I'm also very nervous but my stables are literally behind the stud so I've got the stud lady on hand  Ok thank you, I just wanted to make sure I was doing it 'right' or if there was anything else other recommended |
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vjc
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Post by vjc on Nov 3, 2009 12:45:46 GMT
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Post by sparkle on Nov 4, 2009 11:14:54 GMT
OMG that's AMAZING!! EEEEEE I'm even more excited now!!! There's a caravan up the yard which I'll be sleeping in (not so much of the sleeping!) with either CCTV or a baby monitior in her stable LOL My mare totally trusts me 100% and it'll be just me and my OH or the YO with me up there so not too many distractions |
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vjc
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Post by vjc on Nov 4, 2009 12:27:20 GMT
Hi Sparkle, i am sure it will be an amazing time for you, and its great that you are keeping it to just a few people who your mare knows. I also kip, if you can call it that ;D in a caravan next to the stable and paddock, I cannot count the dawn chorus`s i have heard in all the years i have been breeding, its just a magical experience alround!!! ooohhh you got me all excited now ;D
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2009 15:28:17 GMT
Don't feed your mares too much- you will end up with a huge baby- I'm not trying to frighten you- just use common sense- you can feed her up once baby arrives- she doesn't need to be fat- so long as she is getting the correct vitamins and minerals for skeletal growth.
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Post by sparkle on Nov 5, 2009 11:00:16 GMT
No I'm not feeding her too much - I'm going to have a huge baby anyway LOL Dont worry I wont let her get fat but she will stay 'well covered' The balancer will have all the vitamins and minerals she needs wont it? VJC I'm SO excited!! It's going to FLY by! |
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vjc
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Post by vjc on Nov 5, 2009 11:37:54 GMT
yep Sparkle it does!!! untill you get to the last few days then it seems like forever ;D I am hoping to feel my foals first kick inside mum next month just to confirm all is okay, eddie was leaping around all over the place from six months onwards ;D he still is now |
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Post by paulal on Nov 5, 2009 11:58:48 GMT
omg i wish i hadnt read this thread - definately cannot concentrate at work - i had my mares 100 day scan yesterday to check everything was ok - it was amazing looking at the pictures - it is so exciting! You end up just wishing the months to pass quickly and pray that everything goes to plan. Just love them pics vjc - priceless.
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Post by sparkle on Nov 5, 2009 12:53:34 GMT
VJC - she's 6 months and I saw it kick the other day - put my hand of this bulgy bit and felt it!!  amazing!! I was texting everyone!! lol How do you feel inside? I mean I know how but how far gone is she for that to be possible??? It seems to be going quicker down Paulal that she's further gone - my thinking is 8 weeeks til xmas, then only 3 months and 1 week until she due!! EEEKKKKK !!!! |
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Post by hacklover on Nov 5, 2009 22:25:44 GMT
oh i have one due too and am excited. yay!!
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vjc
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Post by vjc on Nov 6, 2009 0:00:32 GMT
AAAWWWW! all these foals to look forward too!!! how very exciting, think we have meandered of the thread a bit in all the excitement  sparkle not sure what you mean about feeling inside  i just do the same as you, but earlier on in the pregnancy if you put the flat of your hand just in front of the mares udder (providing she does not mind) you can feel the odd flutter and little thump ;D later on you can feel and see movement in the flank area as you do! bet you are ticking of the weeks ;D |
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Post by sarah00000 on Nov 6, 2009 18:01:34 GMT
OMG just read all this - Yes you have gone off topic - but hey,who cares!
You have all made me SO EXCITED....
I was wondering today, when I would get to feel my foalie kick, so reading from this about 6 months yes?
Mine isnt due till July 11th (naughty VIOLET didnt want turkey baster) - so have ages to wait. Am still excited though!
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Post by brindlerainbow on Nov 6, 2009 20:29:02 GMT
My girl is hopefully in foal - covered in July and hasn't returned so fingers crossed as her foal this year was born dead  |
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vjc
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Post by vjc on Nov 6, 2009 23:08:49 GMT
Keeping fingers crossed all goes well for you this time brindlerainbow, the heartbreak of losing a foal is imeasurable to the mare and her owner, i too have had this traumatic event, even had a foal operated on at just four hours old only to lose him at three weeks thankfully most foalings go without a hitch and it can be a magical time for all involved. Lovepink a lot depends if your mare has had a foal before as it means the abdominal muscles are a bit more relaxed and feeling baby kicking can be a bit easier. But on saying that, if you feel in front of her udder at six months especially when she is eating (gut noises can sometimes disturb the foal) you can sometimes feel a little thump or flutter, nothing like gut movement at all. Also look closely from seven months onwards at the flank area and you can sometimes see a rising and falling as the foal moves around. Cannot wait to see all these new arrivals next year ;D |
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Post by sarah00000 on Nov 7, 2009 6:57:38 GMT
My girl is hopefully in foal - covered in July and hasn't returned so fingers crossed as her foal this year was born dead OMG that is TERRIBLE , poor you and poor mare I dont want to even think about that possibility! Fingers crossed that we have a VERY HAPPY time next summer! |
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Post by brindlerainbow on Nov 7, 2009 11:01:55 GMT
Thanks vjc and lovepink, it was terrible and I can honestly say I have never cried so much in my whole life. My poor mare was so distraught and got colic from the shock/stress of everything and for a time I thought I was going to lose her as well, but she's fine now and hope that next summer all will be well |
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Nov 7, 2009 11:18:26 GMT
Brindlerainbow, sorry to hear of this and good luck for next year.
I hope you won't mind me saying for the benefit of others on here that if you have the misfortune to lose a foal, the best thing for the mare is to leave her with the body until she has absorbed what has happened, then she will not stress and look for it. If in a box, this may mean her covering the foal with straw, in the field she will just be happy to leave it and go elsewhere. Unlike us, it seems that once they have realised what has happened they deal with it and move on, it's when they think they still have a live foal somewhere that they worry.
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Post by sarah00000 on Nov 7, 2009 11:51:04 GMT
Gulp |
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Post by brindlerainbow on Nov 7, 2009 15:52:24 GMT
Yes that is true sarahp my foal was born dead just after midnight in the stable and I left her with him until about 7 am next morning. At first she seemed to accept what had happened and just laid down next to him but then after a couple of hours I think realisation hit and thats when she went into shock  |
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Post by sarah00000 on Nov 7, 2009 16:49:42 GMT
I have given you a Karma for your sad story!
My friend gave birth to a dead baby, on her due date. Absolutely perfect - but dead? No-one ever knew why? The funeral was the hardest thing ever! She went on to have 3 more kids - but she has never got over it and suffers from depression ever since. Very sad..........
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vjc
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Post by vjc on Nov 7, 2009 17:02:13 GMT
Lovepink that is awful so sad when mother nature goes wrong lets all be positive and look forward to our new arrivals wonder if they will be colts or fillies |
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sarahp
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Post by sarahp on Nov 7, 2009 17:53:44 GMT
The vast vast majority of foals are born easily, fine and with no problems at all, so that's the fact to hold on to! In my 30 odd years of breeding, OK not a huge number each year but they add up to quite a lot, I've lost hardly any at birth. One set of twins slipped in Feb, and another born too premature to live through a freak occurrence - the mare haemorraged within the placenta, bringing on labour and I think that's it.
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Post by sarah00000 on Nov 7, 2009 17:55:20 GMT
I would like a bay filly - just like mum!
Prob get chesnut colt - just like dad!
DOnt mind as long as its healthy - anyway, hubby says I must sell the first foal and keep the 2nd - so if its chesnut colt, might make it easier? Prob not! LOL
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She's got 25 weeks left and I'm nervous already! 
amazing!! I was texting everyone!! lol How do you feel inside? I mean I know how but how far gone is she for that to be possible??? 
i just do the same as you, but earlier on in the pregnancy if you put the flat of your hand just in front of the mares udder (providing she does not mind) you can feel the odd flutter and little thump ;D later on you can feel and see movement in the flank area as you do! bet you are ticking of the weeks ;D
