Alright folks, maiden mare had an easy rapid delivery. All well and fine until about 18hrs post birth then stopped pooping. Banamine has helped, multiple exams reveal some bruising but it’s rapidly improving. I’m stumped because her rectals are good but she strains and then gives up and then the vet is out. Placenta was retained for 4hrs but otherwise ok. No fevers prior to starting banamine or while
on the half dose. Goes on and off feed and water. Eating grass. Pretty clean tubings. I thought we had turned the corner this morning, and then again she went downhill tonight. Awaiting vet - why is she straining still and just when the poop is about to exit she gives up & holds it? She is trembling when she is trying to poop. It’s not particularly hard & after the vet gets some she figures it out. I am just worried we are overlooking something at this point, approaching 4 days of an uncomfortable mare worries me. She has never coliced, and is a homebred.
I can only wish you and your horse good luck. Twisted gut is a common problem post foaling when all that empty space becomes available for the bowel to move around in. I always feed lots of beet pulp post foaling to fill up the empty space. Hope your mare is okay!
Well we are on day 4.5 and have pooped a couple of times, she seems much more comfortable today. I’m at a loss. I don’t see the straining to poop but she’s still not regular. She’s had Bucuspan which elicited the big poop but I would like more poop…on its own. The fecal matter is moving through the gut well, this is so frustrating and worrisome. Oy.
goodmorning, only other horse people, IMO, get the ‘obsession’ about the creation, production and consistency of horse poop that we all have 
Mine wasn’t birth related but colic surgery related but the obsession was still the same… did it happen, what did it look like, any reflux (in my case)? It can be exhausting.
I hope she continues to progress as her GI tract continues to heal from whatever trauma it incurred.
{{gm}}
Fill her up with bulk feed/hay/grass!
What is her diet? is she moving around enough? Is the manure normal looking, a little too dry/hard?
If she’s not drinking enough to keep the manure nice and soft, the “hardness” passing out may be pressing on a sore/bruised vulva - just a thought. The fact that pain meds made things better is a sign something’s uncomfy (obviously lol) So bruising may just take a while to reduce enough.
If she gets a decent meal, and if she’ll eat it well-soaked and sloppy, do that. Add 1tbsp salt to the meal (might take a couple meals to work up to that, depending on how big the meal is) to encourage even more drinking.
She wound up at the University where she currently resides - tried to flip colon, gas distention, cecal impaction, colitis, and now we are battling delayed uterine involution.
Anyone ever dealt with this? Still retaining 2 liters while flushed. Upping oxytocin and cleared for turnout…
So sorry…hope she will be okay.
Was this her first foal?
OP says “maiden mare” in the first post.
