I’m foaling out a Shetland pony cross for a friend. She came to us a week ago when my friend adopted from a rescue group not knowing she was pregnant. We have confirmed she is pregnant and probably has a week or more to go (who knows). My concern is this mare is very under weight and has obviously not received proper nutrition nor care during her pregnancy. I noticed lately that her belly has enlarged a ton and quickly. I assume its because the fetus is getting the nutrition it needs so its able to grow. Im worried that for this mare for her size/weight is that she will have trouble delivering. She is obviously uncomfortable and laying down more then my other mares have while they were pregnant. Do I have a valid concern? Does anyone have experience with pregnant ponies that haven’t had proper care during pregnancy? I do have the vet coming Monday but I want to prep my friend because she is just over the moon that she’s getting a foal and we all know how risky pregnancy/foaling is.
It’s amazing how many skinny shetland-cross-sized mares give birth in Haiti with no attention or vet care whatsoever, and come through fine. I’m glad your vet is coming out Monday, of course. S/he can advise on bringing up the mare’s feed carefully, any extra precautions or prenatal vitamins, feeding for rehab during lactation, etc. Is she bagging up at all? Is she halter broke and accepting of people, I hope?
Are her feet trimmed and in good shape? any sign of past laminitis? I’m trying to keep my prego rehab pony trimmed frequently so she doesn’t have to put up with long sessions while dealing with the foal load. If this mare isn’t used to foot handling, I’d start sooner rather than later if you can for comfort’s sake.
I’d start the mare on alfalfa hay or rehydrated alfalfa cubes, several small meals a day, along with beet pulp shreds and a ration balancer pellet or a vitamin/mineral supplement, with a small amount of salt–like a quarter of a teaspoon. I would also put the mare on a magnesium supplement as the foal will be pulling magnesium from the mare’s body in the last trimester.
Worrying is not productive. All you can do is be proactive and support the mare as best you can. If the mare is not used to grain then stick with the hay, beet pulp and rb or vitamin/mineral and magnesium supplements to avoid re-feeding syndrome which could lead to the pony’s organs shutting down.
Best of luck with the foaling!
Yes, I’m amazed at how many neglected mares have healthy foals!!
Pony is bagging up and her vulva is starting to elongate. She is halter broke, a bit on the nervous side but tolerates a lot. Her feet were done last week and no signs laminitist.
I’m sure it will be just fine! That’s what I get for letting another friend tell me all her horror stories of breeding/foaling out mini horses.
Well, minis (and sometimes Shetlands) do have more problems than other breeds foaling out, but all you can do is your best and “let it lay where Jesus flung it”!
Perhaps being a Shetland cross will help the situation. I would have my vet on speed dial though.
Take a deep breath! 
[QUOTE=jenbrin;8100203]
Yes, I’m amazed at how many neglected mares have healthy foals!!
Pony is bagging up and her vulva is starting to elongate. She is halter broke, a bit on the nervous side but tolerates a lot. Her feet were done last week and no signs laminitist.
I’m sure it will be just fine! That’s what I get for letting another friend tell me all her horror stories of breeding/foaling out mini horses.[/QUOTE]
That’s all good news, she should do OK. Keep close with your vet and follow the vet’s lead, and she should be fine.
Just watch out that she receives adequate nutrition after she foals as well. She’ll be using a lot of calories for the foal and may not be able to gain the weight she needs to put back on anytime soon, take care she doesn’t lose more.
