Having a confidence wobble......

[Guestless]

First of all relax and breathe! Most foalings are stress-free and no problems occur.....at least that's what I'm led to believe as I have never yet managed to witness any of my 4 foals being born (crafty native mares!) I've managed to get there in time to help one of them stand, but that's as close as I've got.

I don't think much will have changed in 15 years so refreshing your memory by reading your book will be no bad thing. Main thing I have always thought is that I wouldn't want to interfere unless absolutely necessary and it's more about ideally being there to make sure everything happens as it should.

Given my inexperience at actual delivery time, I will leave the more practical comments to others

My vet has always said IF something goes wrong, it happens very quickly and being there or not often won't make any difference.

[brindlerainbow]

LP im sure your mare will be fine, Guestless is right about if something goes wrong it will be quick, remember i've been there done that
You could always ring your vet once you know shes definately in labour so that he/she can be there. I always have my water buckets in holders at sort of above chest level/chest level this is because my ponies are hooligans and like to turn their stables into swimming pools
Breeding is full of risk, but then so is life its self!!! I have had 2 years of bad luck with my mare and foaling, she goes back to stud on Friday for another try this time im hoping 3rd time lucky!!!!!!

[vjc]

I agree with brindlerainbow, all i would say is observe observe observe, if you think there is a delay in any stage of the labour just call your vet but remember most foalings go without a hitch and at least if your mare foals at home she will be more relaxed in her home surroundings. I would only say send your mare away if you are unable to keep a close eye on her.

[holiday]

Talking from experience most foalings are absolutely fine, yes things can go wrong, however it is rare but is obviously a risk. I would agree with the above, observe observe observe, any wobble at the time of foaling is a good thing as time is of the essence if things go wrong, check the presentation assess if it is correct, breath, if any doubt at all call the vet!!

Your mare may get up and down to help herself or she could just pop it out with very little trouble but my view is strongly held due to the open forums we do know about all the bad things that happen, it is a real risk but how many 1000.s of foals are born without us knowing the good side?

If she looks like she may foal inform your vet to be "ready" for a call if needbe. Make sure they carry tubes for foals - just in case.

If the worse should happen as it has to us, get the colostrum out of the mare however difficult it maybe both physically or mentally!!!!!!!! And get it in your foal!!!!!

Think positive and just watch her!!!!!! Know her inside out - how she is at rest in the stable up to the birth, udder, breathing, eating etc etc so you can instantly tell if she is unsettled and maybe starting labour. If you do think she is observe quietly so not to upset her and let her concentrate on delivery!!!!! When the water bag appears check for presentation, two legs (front) and a head, one leg will be slightly further back but not far behind, both will show from her before the head, help her if needbe but do not stress or panic as it not fair to her!!!!

Good luck and dont worry too much!!!!!!

[sallie]

Dear Holiday
please come and live with me until my foal comes !!!!!!!!!
so sorry to hear about your sad loss, have sent you a p.m

i for one think there is alot of good advice given out on this forum , long may it contiue
thank you so much for you telephone call yesterday Guestless much apperciated

[holiday]

LOL I try my best!!! Maybe just come and live here for a while and we can be beside ourselves together!!!!! It frightens me to death everytime I see the waterbag!!!! I also think if it didnt I shouldnt be breeding!!

[sageandonion]

Useless me can't offer any advice, but am sending a longlife cuddle.

[kayjayem]

Aww LP don't worry too much. The bad things you hear really are a very tiny minority and mostly they pop out when you're not looking even if you've been on constant watch for ages. So long as you are conversant with the basics ie impending signs and presentation which is exactly the same as will be in your book don't worry. When foaly is on his/her way look firstly for 2 front feet one slightly in front of the other and then the nose will be following shortly tucked nicely along the legs. Sometimes if it has big shoulders it may slow down a bit and if it does look as though it is you can just gently hold the front legs whilst she pushes and stop it sliding back in a bit which sometimes they do but don't pull just stop it going back a bit to make it quicker for her and hold it downwards as the foal will slide out in a sort of arc if that makes sense. Once the shoulders are out it will probably shoot out. Let her rest on the floor as long as she wants just clear foalies nose but the longer she stays down the blood from the placenta will be going into the foal. Often they will stay there with the back legs inside and that is fine. Once the cord breaks spray the navel with terramycin spray to stop any infection travelling up into the navel.

If you only get one front foot and no sign of the other one or both feet and no sign of the head once the legs are on their way phone the vet as it may need straightening out and needs to be done asap but don't panic. Chances of this are very slim but at least you know what to look for. I bet she does it when you're not looking and you just find a little bundle of fun and a big happy mummy!

[vjc]

Yep i agree with kayyayem, look for the feet, one usually appears slightly before the other and if after the mare starts pushing in earnest you have not seen the head you need to examine the mare to check the presentation. Eric did give us a bit of a scare as he had not fully rotated into the birth position and i was presented with the soles of his feet upwards (facing the mares dock!) at first i thought it was a breach delivery but after carefull examination i felt his nose, we had to assist amy by pulling and carefuly twisting the foal (i was lucky enough to learn this procedure from a vet at my friends mares difficult birth) Foals are tougher that we give them credit for, poor eric must have though he was riding a rollercoaster!!! But most of us that have experienced trouble have bred quite a few foals so the odds of one going wrong for us are greater than the one off breeder.
Good luck and keep us posted.xxx

[sallie]

ok i now have made up the spare room for the following people Holiday, Guestless, vjc and Kayjem, as i need all these people to hold my hand over this Foal, so the weather up here in Scotland is Grand. So no excuse for you all not to come !

Really many thnaks for all the very helpful advice, Lovepink the waiting is awful, my mare is due anytime, my nerves and the gin bottle are taking a real beating

love of Hugs to you all
Sallie,

[sparkle]

Oh Lovepink I dont envy you I must say and I'm glad I've had all the worry and it's over and done with BUT all you can do is make sure you keep a very close eye on her. Look for all the little slightest changes (if she doesnt bag/wax up) - this could be her way of telling you she's ready.

My mare is MY VERY SPECIAL girl and I was absoultely petrified of things going wrong but it was ok Remember they've been doing this in the wild for the last million trillion years (ok exaggeration ) she'll be ok, just keep an eye and try and enjoy it. Easier said then done I know but Holiday kindly helped my nerves with my long PM's!! (Sorry Holiday! ) listen to those who are experienced and have done this for years.

Good luck and try and turn the nerves into excitement!

[vjc]

Ah lovepink, bless you if you were a bit nearer i would be only to glad to take up your offer, i am always on call for foaling duties when all my friends mares are due ;D I am sure all will go well and you will soon have a lovely foal to munch

[sallie]

so vjc do dont fancy bonnie Scotland then for foaling duties?

[vjc]

;D cannot think of a better place to go for foaling duties but cannot leave my ickle man yet! he needs me

[sallie]

hi i still do not have a baby !!!!!!, did not put mare out in her field today as she was rather quite today, lovepink my nerves are shot to heck, this waiting is awful, i am sending you some Good Scottish luck
have been on relevant foaling websites and yep you have guest it i am now officially terrified, did the same when i went for a hysterectomy(sp)
only the very good advice of Holiday and all the gang is calming me down, was up at 12am 2am and 4am, am shattered at School here today
all the best gang and will keep you up to date
Sal

[sallie]

fogot to say mare moved into her newly painted foaling box and straw bed 2x round bales - she went in there last week
all my girls at school keep asking is the foal here yet, the Head sayes she will announce the birth at Assembly !!!

[vjc]

Sounds like your mum to be has got super luxuries at hand keep us posted, has she got a good udder yet???

[holiday]

Good luck to everyone waiting on their new borns safe arrival!!!!!

As much as Id love a holiday somewhere to dont think that will be happening just in the near (or far) distant future lol!!!!!!!

[owl]

Jun 1, 2010 6:49:46 GMT holiday said:

Talking from experience most foalings are absolutely fine, yes things can go wrong, however it is rare but is obviously a risk. I would agree with the above, observe observe observe, any wobble at the time of foaling is a good thing as time is of the essence if things go wrong, check the presentation assess if it is correct, breath, if any doubt at all call the vet!!

Your mare may get up and down to help herself or she could just pop it out with very little trouble but my view is strongly held due to the open forums we do know about all the bad things that happen, it is a real risk but how many 1000.s of foals are born without us knowing the good side?

If she looks like she may foal inform your vet to be "ready" for a call if needbe. Make sure they carry tubes for foals - just in case.

If the worse should happen as it has to us, get the colostrum out of the mare however difficult it maybe both physically or mentally!!!!!!!! And get it in your foal!!!!!

Think positive and just watch her!!!!!! Know her inside out - how she is at rest in the stable up to the birth, udder, breathing, eating etc etc so you can instantly tell if she is unsettled and maybe starting labour. If you do think she is observe quietly so not to upset her and let her concentrate on delivery!!!!! When the water bag appears check for presentation, two legs (front) and a head, one leg will be slightly further back but not far behind, both will show from her before the head, help her if needbe but do not stress or panic as it not fair to her!!!!

Good luck and dont worry too much!!!!!!

Don't worry we are all here for you- and surely one of us must live somewhere near- where are you? any worries at all- get vet- its the safest thing to do

[sarahp]

You can tell from the feet presented if you do have a breech birth, very rare in horses as far as I know, from the direction of bend of the fetlock joints relative to the bottom of the hooves. I learned this one from lambing sheep, and the same obviously holds for horses too if you think about it. go and look at a live horse and envisage the feet coming out if you can't see what I mean.

The main thing is to do what I am trying to learn to do when dealing with computer problems - think first and panic later instead of the other way round! And remember the vast majority of births are totally trouble free.

[rubyshoes1]

My daughter had a dressage lesson yesterday & the instructor was telling me her two maiden mares had both had their foals alone, she had spent the last fortnight in the horse lorry getting up every couple of hours and she managed to miss both births!
Our 14.2 sp is on loan to my sister-in-law and she had her foal 3 weeks early last saturday - all well.
Good luck lovepink, I'm sure all will be well, x

[owl]

I have a mare- that with her last two foals she has met me at the field gate with front toes presented- 'come on mum - glad you are here' type face- she then proceeded to get down and foal when she knew I was there- they are strange----- must admit- most of my lot just present me with a child on first check All mine foal out.

[sarahp]

Likewise owl!

[boothsdale]

LP - you'll be fine!

If you want some more reading we have what we refer to as the foaling bible - www.britishhorse.com/acatalog/foaling_simplified_991516.html it is very simply written by a lady that used to be the foaling attendant at the national stud so was foaling down over 100 mares each year. It is very TB focussed but is a great guide to have to hand.