Mare at 300 Days, Is this normal

[fortheloveofhorses]

My mare is at 300 days and is showing the early signs of bagging up. She foaled a beautiful healthy filly at smack on 320 days last year (on the dot). However this year she is massive (same stallion) a lot bigger than last year and is looking fed up with life and I am concerned that she might not wait out for another 20 days. Im an inexperienced breeder with her being my first broodmare and only her second foal with me (she had had one foal previously to me getting her). Also I know you say the mare won’t carry a foal larger than what she comfortable can be she is seriously massive.

Is this normal enough and am I just being paranoid or should I be getting a little concerned.

Also I live in Australia hence why foaling this time of Year.

any thoughts will be much appreciated!

[epowers]

Yes, this is absolutely normal to start seeing development of the bag a few weeks before she actually foals. Her size is also probably very normal. If she’s had a foal before with no issues, and has good breeding/foaling conformation, I would not be concerned. They often get comically large right at the end!

[Kerole]

Carrying foals 2 years running can result in a much bigger belly the second time round. I wouldn’t worry but if you have a link to some photos that might help people discuss this case with better insight.

Good luck!

[somanyhorses]

If your mare generally foals around 320 days, starting to bag up at 300 days should be quite normal, as others have suggested. It is the rate at which she is bagging up that you will need to watch - if she goes from nothing to a big bag in a matter of days, this could be placentitis.

If you are on Facebook I recommend joining the Foal Club - it is an Australian group (with some international members), over 10,000 members, and a lot of very knowledgeable and helpful experienced breeders regularly contributing. You can post photos etc to get others’ opinions, and there is a files section with lots of great info. I have learned a lot since I joined.

If in doubt get the vet - who may recommend a course of Antibiotics just in case the bagging is caused by placentitis - but at 300 days and with a history of early foaling, this all sounds fairly normal. GOOD LUCK!!

[fortheloveofhorses]

Thanks guys, my heart rate is coming back down, Have organised the vet to come to check her out because id rather be safe than sorry but feeling better that it is all probably normal and I’m just a stress head