We have two mares due to foal…I know the exact, live cover breeding dates…one, ISH mare is 367 days past last breeding, the TB mare is at 337 days. Both are bagged up, but neither is dripping milk. They are both HUGE…both have had numerous foals. I’m getting tired of night checks!! Especially for the ISH mare!!
I’ve seen that before with no problem at the key. If you are nervous, ask your vet but I wouldn’t be if your vet is not nervous. The norm would be 340 days plus or minus 20 days so you are still nut that much overdue.
Great article to read about this:
http://www.equine-reproduction.com/articles/overdue.shtml
I’m sorry that doesn’t help your sleepless nights, though!
I live in central Kentucky where lots of people breed TBs. For whatever reason, many many mares went way “overdue” this year. We have a mare whose longest previous pregnancy was 350 days. Last month she finally foaled on day 363, and everything proceeded normally. I understand your impatience but I don’t think you need to worry just yet.
As the article above mentions, there is no such thing as a due date, only a guideline. The record is 445 days so you may have a ways to go.
In order to cut down on the sleepless nights (I’ve had one go way over 340 too), we always test the milk for pH, color and, as disgusting as it sounds, taste to help determine when a mare is going to foal. Since we started doing this many years ago, I often only have to lose one or two nights of sleep before a mare foals.
I don’t worry about when they foal as long as it’s after 320 days Had a mare go 434 so anything shorter is all good with me
All of my mares have gone past 352 days; but, stayed well within the record.
As long as they are not “trying to foal but can’t”, stay patient.
OMG!! You must have gone crazy!!
Thank you everyone!! This isn’t my first foaling…but I always get nervous when they go late!! At least she has an udder…had one that was late AND no milk!! That was a VERY EXPENSIVE BABY!!
My friend’s mare just finally foaled at 391 days, everything else completely normal.
I know one local vet who likes to take a peak at them if they don’t look imminent by 370 just to make sure everything looks ok.
Your friend must have been CRAZY waiting!! I talked to a local repro vet yesterday…She said there was nothing to do but wait!!
Well…the mare went 372 days. Delivered a healthy, bright, but wobbly filly. She got to her feet…I treated the umbilical, gave her an enema…she sought out the teats (mare had bagged up well). Filly showed interest in nursing, but couldn’t latch on no matter how I stabilized her. I called THREE different vets (foaling was on Memorial Day morning) No one answered…I left messages with all three vets. We are newish here, but have used one of the vets and made personal contact with the other two to introduce myself and explain our situation.) No one called back!! EVER!! I milked the mare and gently drizzled colostrum into her mouth, repeatedly, but didn’t get much/enough in. Filly was still bright and bouncing around, but only managed to nurse once or twice… She needed to be tubed with milk/colostrum!! Sad, long story…the foal finally expired after 50 hours…and still not one vet ever returned my calls!! Apparently vets in Texas don’t bother to cover each other or take emergency calls over the holidays!! RIP sweet baby!!
I’m so sorry for your loss
Thank you…It was so unnecessary!!
Wow! That is so awful… So sorry for your loss…
OMG how terrible! I hope you call those vets back to let them know the result. They shouldn’t offer emergency services or phone numbers if they can’t deliver. That is extremely unethical, and in the worst case (unfortunately like yours) results in a fatality. So sorry to hear this.
I/we have been professional horse trainers and breeders for over 50 years…I have NEVER been unable to get a vet in an emergency…and surely NOT THREE different ones!! I thought vets/horsemen/doctors didn’t get holidays without emergencies!! I know I never did!! (Old RN)!!
So sorry to hear about your kiddo. We have an amazing vet in The Colony. While he is strictly mobile, I’m not sure how far out of the metroplex he will travel. I know he will go all the way to Granbury, which is pretty far from The Colony. Maybe you can give his office a call and see if he recommends anyone, or if he would be willing to travel to you when you need him to. http://www.dfwabsoluteequine.com/
Lone Star Equine Hospital(based at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie) may also be able to give you recommendations. The head vet there is older and seems to know everyone around. http://www.lonestarparkequinehospital.com/