I took your guy's advice and I'm trading my 7y/o green broke paint, and I'm getting a 14y/o TB/QH brood/riding mare. The dealer said that she's been to pasture with a stud since she had her last foal, and there's a chance that she may be pregnant. How can I tell if she is or not? What should I know if she is? Everyone in my local 4-H is telling me horror stories and idk what to expect if she is. She's also very underweight and idk how that would affect her foal if she is pregnant.
How to tell if a mare is pregnant?
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loomixguy
Well-known member
Have her examined by a competent veterinarian, and, to be 100% sure, have her ultrasounded. At 14 years old, she may need her teeth floated, etc. That may explain her being underweight, unless she has been neglected/starved. How is the soundness/structure of her feet/legs?
Has she ever raised any colts before? If not, or maybe only one when she was younger, as she ages, the liklihood of her becoming pregnant, even with exposure 24/7/365 to a stud, becomes slimmer.
Has she ever raised any colts before? If not, or maybe only one when she was younger, as she ages, the liklihood of her becoming pregnant, even with exposure 24/7/365 to a stud, becomes slimmer.
She has descent conformation, and her legs are clean she's completely sound. from what i've been told she raised a foal last year, and was then turned out with the stud again. As for her being underweight I think she was just neglected. The place she's at now only give round bales out in the pasture no grain, no fresh water, and no hay inside. I saw her there 3 months ago and she wasn't as bad as she is now, but I didn't want her because she was solid black, its stupid but i hate the color black but she rides really well. After she's at our farm I plan on having the vet come out and take a look at her and give her any vaccine's she may need. Can't the vet do a blood test to find out if she is pregnant? If she is pregnant I don't really want the foal I just want the mare. I'm not really ready to take care of a foal I'm still fairly green when it comes to horses.
Kato
Well-known member
The vet can do a physical exam to see if she's pregnant. Ask him/her about worming too.
Don't worry about a foal, because if she's an older mare who's done this before, she'll take care of it just fine. Wean it when it's ready and sell it.
Don't worry about a foal, because if she's an older mare who's done this before, she'll take care of it just fine. Wean it when it's ready and sell it.
Is there any particular way to ween a foal? I've never had to worry about anything like this. I've been told I shouldn't ride her until I find out if she is or not, and if she is I shouldn't ride her until after she has the foal, or she may miscarraige. Is this something I should be worried about if she is pregnant? Would someone actually want a foal thats 1/2 TB/QH and 1/2 god only knows? When the foal is born should it have grain accessible? Should the mare get special feed as well? Is a 10 x 12 stall large enough for her to have her foal in? Should I put her in a pen by herself when I get until I know whether or not she's pregnant to avoid any unnecessary injury, or should she be fine running with the other mares and geldings? What should I watch for as warning signs? She's suppose to be delivered today, and I know I need to slowly introduce her to grain, would it be wise to give her weight builder, alf alfa cubes, and beet pulp as well? I'm just going to treat her like I would a normal half-starved horse, unless otherwise instructed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The vets also coming the monday after next for an exam and shots.
Personally.I sure wouldn't baby her too much if she is in foal...let her run with the other horses and when she get close to foaling don't pen her,let her foal out with other horses....Big no no with mares..they HATE any attention when giving birth,leave her alone...watch from afar if you can...she'll prob have it in middle of night when you least expect it.
The vet will tell you how to look after a preg mare as far as feed and minerals go....good luck,next to a human Babe a foal is THE most beautiful baby in the world :!:
The vet will tell you how to look after a preg mare as far as feed and minerals go....good luck,next to a human Babe a foal is THE most beautiful baby in the world :!:
Jigger Boss
Well-known member
Actually I wouldn't let her foal out with other horses in the same pasture.
Especially if she's new to the already established herd. If there are geldings in the same pasture, some geldings have a dendency to possibly kill the foal. If out with other mares, some mares will swipe the foal from the mother and it will starve if not caught in time. I've had a gelding try and kill one of my foals before
, the foal was probably about 2 months old at the time. It wasn't long before that gelding found himself a new home. I've had other mares try to swipe other mare's foals before too.
If possible its best to have a separate pasture for your pregnant mare where she doesn't have to worry about other horses.
Might even be better if she wasn't turned out with the rest until a little while after she foals. Establishing status in a horse herd can get nasty. You wouldn't want to risk her getting kicked and losing the foal.
The vet can palpate or ultrasound the mare to see if she is in foal and can likely give you an approximate birthdate.
Weaning, all I ever do is just take the foal and put it in a separate SAFE pen away from the mare, where it can't see the mare. Or better yet, if you can sell the foal right off the mare, then you don't have to worry about the foal getting into fencing ect trying to get back to mom.
If the mare is in foal, if she's been used to being ridden then you can likely continue light riding up to a month before foaling. If she's not been ridden much then I wouldn't bother starting her back up now depending on when she's due. I wouldn't worry about her miscarrying, not likely going to happen being ridden lightly, but don't ride her hard everyday or put her in any intensive training.
If the mare and foal has good pasture or hay, I wouldn't bother giving the foal grain. Giving grain to foals can cause quite a few problems with development if not done properly.
If the mare is skinny, it wouldn't hurt to give her a small amount of crushed/rolled oats with some corn oil to slowly bring her weight up. Mineral and salt blocks should be free choice for her. I'm not a big fan of beet pulp I personally won't feed it to any of my horses.
Especially if she's new to the already established herd. If there are geldings in the same pasture, some geldings have a dendency to possibly kill the foal. If out with other mares, some mares will swipe the foal from the mother and it will starve if not caught in time. I've had a gelding try and kill one of my foals before
, the foal was probably about 2 months old at the time. It wasn't long before that gelding found himself a new home. I've had other mares try to swipe other mare's foals before too.If possible its best to have a separate pasture for your pregnant mare where she doesn't have to worry about other horses.
Might even be better if she wasn't turned out with the rest until a little while after she foals. Establishing status in a horse herd can get nasty. You wouldn't want to risk her getting kicked and losing the foal.
The vet can palpate or ultrasound the mare to see if she is in foal and can likely give you an approximate birthdate.
Weaning, all I ever do is just take the foal and put it in a separate SAFE pen away from the mare, where it can't see the mare. Or better yet, if you can sell the foal right off the mare, then you don't have to worry about the foal getting into fencing ect trying to get back to mom.
If the mare is in foal, if she's been used to being ridden then you can likely continue light riding up to a month before foaling. If she's not been ridden much then I wouldn't bother starting her back up now depending on when she's due. I wouldn't worry about her miscarrying, not likely going to happen being ridden lightly, but don't ride her hard everyday or put her in any intensive training.
If the mare and foal has good pasture or hay, I wouldn't bother giving the foal grain. Giving grain to foals can cause quite a few problems with development if not done properly.
If the mare is skinny, it wouldn't hurt to give her a small amount of crushed/rolled oats with some corn oil to slowly bring her weight up. Mineral and salt blocks should be free choice for her. I'm not a big fan of beet pulp I personally won't feed it to any of my horses.
It's funny how horse people advice varies so much. I foal my mares in the pasture if I can, anyone who has ever had thoroughbreds knows that the dang mares will try to have the foal right up against the wall, then they proceed to get cast and it goes on and on. The only bad accident I had was that silly grey stud colt I had laying down by the fence and getting himself wedged under it! I still cant figure out how an almost yearling could have squeezed under a 9 inch rail :shock: However in KY a mare would NEVER foal out doors, gasp horrors how could a mare possible foal OUTSIDE.... I also feed ALL of my horses soaked beet pulp and 14% pellet and have been doing so since 88. It bulks them up beautifully and they love having a warm meal. We do not have pasture here so the horses can not be turned out to forage. I am so looking forward to turning the kids out on pasture and not haing to worry about grain. Sorry babbling... Anyhow have the mare looked at by a vet, get an ultrasound done. Let the mare foal as naturally as possible and then sell the foal at weaning. Call around to the vets for a price check, ultrasound rates vary wildly and your best bet may be to have a farm vet out rather than an equine specialist.
An I totally have to disagree with Mrs. Greg here Foals are a zillion times more beautiful than human babies Have you seen those pink and blue critters when they arrive all covered in goo. Yuck not pretty at all Give them a week to unfold and then they kind get cute That said I am probably the only woman on the planet that doesnt like the smell of babies either so.... My poor kid got sooo many baths he barely had skin I love kids though so go figure
The only bad accident I had was that silly grey stud colt I had laying down by the fence and getting himself wedged under it! I still cant figure out how an almost yearling could have squeezed under a 9 inch rail :shock: However in KY a mare would NEVER foal out doors, gasp horrors how could a mare possible foal OUTSIDE.... I also feed ALL of my horses soaked beet pulp and 14% pellet and have been doing so since 88. It bulks them up beautifully and they love having a warm meal. We do not have pasture here so the horses can not be turned out to forage. I am so looking forward to turning the kids out on pasture and not haing to worry about grain. Sorry babbling... Anyhow have the mare looked at by a vet, get an ultrasound done. Let the mare foal as naturally as possible and then sell the foal at weaning. Call around to the vets for a price check, ultrasound rates vary wildly and your best bet may be to have a farm vet out rather than an equine specialist. An I totally have to disagree with Mrs. Greg here
Foals are a zillion times more beautiful than human babies Have you seen those pink and blue critters when they arrive all covered in goo. Yuck not pretty at all Give them a week to unfold and then they kind get cute That said I am probably the only woman on the planet that doesnt like the smell of babies either so.... My poor kid got sooo many baths he barely had skin I love kids though so go figure IL Rancher
Well-known member
Judith.. I would introduce you to my wife as she has much of the same feelings about the smell of babies (Now, don't get her started about puppy breath or the cheesy smell some dogs feet have) but I'm afraid of what would happen with you two.. Don't know who would be the bad influence and who would be the good one :wink: :lol: :lol:
Judith...I was trying to be politically correct,but your right,a foal trumps a new born baby
Right that we all believe something different but we've always foaled out amongst other horses and so has gregs brother that raises Appys we've NEVER had a problam and can't begin to count the foals we've had...I think your asking for trouble putting then into a pen to foal but hey JMHO.
Right that we all believe something different but we've always foaled out amongst other horses and so has gregs brother that raises Appys we've NEVER had a problam and can't begin to count the foals we've had...I think your asking for trouble putting then into a pen to foal but hey JMHO.
Politically correct, politically smosmecked. I calls it like I see it Yes puppy breath is devine
Did you know that only 50 percent of TB make it to 2 year old registration :shock: Stupid pampered mules!
I had a wonderful appy growing up, his name was Marc Anthony. He was a great rideThere are some great breeders in your area Mrs. Greg Just started a Dreamweaver filly I dont know the dam side but she was sooooo pretty. Unfortunately she went to a pleasure home so she should be dead lame in about 2 years...GRRRRRR
Yes puppy breath is devine Did you know that only 50 percent of TB make it to 2 year old registration :shock: Stupid pampered mules!
I had a wonderful appy growing up, his name was Marc Anthony. He was a great ride
There are some great breeders in your area Mrs. Greg Just started a Dreamweaver filly I dont know the dam side but she was sooooo pretty. Unfortunately she went to a pleasure home so she should be dead lame in about 2 years...GRRRRRR
kolanuraven
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Appys!!! LOVE 'EM. I've had bunches over the years. Great horses but can be a handful if you're not ' the boss'.
It's mind over Appy deal with them I've found out. They are ' thinkers' with a free will for sure!!
It's mind over Appy deal with them I've found out. They are ' thinkers' with a free will for sure!!
Heel Fly
Well-known member
I agree that when at all possible foal your mares out side, However I also totally agree that a new mare should be kept seperate and NEVER allow a gelding in with mares and foals. I did once, he started running the babies, I had to rope him and choke him down to get him out of the pasture. When in doubt follow nature funny this goes on in the wild with amazing sucess. Maybe those KY folks should look around more!!
I have a mare due to foal in April, I tried this last fall to introduce her into the broodmare band. Buddied her up with one of the mares, locked them(her and buddy in one and the others in other pen) up in opposite pens for 2 days before turning them together. Made sure they were hungry enough to just go to grazing when turned out. But they still ran her thru a fence. She is fine but she will have to foal in the corrals, I wasn't willing to try again. Older herds are hard to get in to!! Had a neighbor who had a stud and some people brought their mare out to have her bred. So they just turned her out with his (the studs) mob. Any ideas how that ended, that is a huge NO NO. He killed her in 10 min.
I have a mare due to foal in April, I tried this last fall to introduce her into the broodmare band. Buddied her up with one of the mares, locked them(her and buddy in one and the others in other pen) up in opposite pens for 2 days before turning them together. Made sure they were hungry enough to just go to grazing when turned out. But they still ran her thru a fence. She is fine but she will have to foal in the corrals, I wasn't willing to try again. Older herds are hard to get in to!! Had a neighbor who had a stud and some people brought their mare out to have her bred. So they just turned her out with his (the studs) mob. Any ideas how that ended, that is a huge NO NO. He killed her in 10 min.
I completely agree with ya. There's something about a crappy appy that I just can't pass up. I think its that my old app was always trying to figure a way to buck me off and play tag.
Thanks for all of the advice. She's here. She doesn't have a name so temporarily I'm calling her mare until I find a name I like. She's turned out with the other horses. She's buddied up with the 2 other mares, and the 2 older than dirt geldings. Everytime my 10 y/o gelding comes near her she pins her ears straight back and has a major hissy fit. She enjoys her 10x12 stall she lays down in it everynight. She's getting approx. 3 lbs 12 % sweet feed twice a day. She eats hay like you wouldn't believe. I've been giving her half a bale, and by morning there isn't a single piece left. She doesn't like the beet pulp, or alf alfa cubes so she's not getting it. Vets coming next monday so hopefully I'll know more. She's very laid back, however she doesn't like it when you go near her teets. My goat had a baby and mare loves the little thing, she gives it a bathe n everything.
Appy fan, shes a TB right? She will need about 60 pounds of hay per day if it is a good second crop hay. Sounds like your doing good with the grain . Can you add about 1/2cup of corn oil to her grain if she won't eat the soaked beet pulp. I have never had a horse refuse it they love a warm breakfast
Here's what I would do "Don't worry about it" if she's bred she'll foal in the spring if not she won't no sense in spending money just to spend it.As far a foaling ours foal out in the pasture.I swear what would these animals do without us?? Most likely survive :wink:
I'm guessing she's a TB/QH cross no1 knows for sure. I've got corn oil. I've been giving her rice bran with her feed as well. She has free choice hay in the pasture, and she's eating half a bale when she's in her stall at night. She has a crack in each of her front feet about two inches long. I have the farrier coming tomorrow to see if he can trim it as best he can. Its not real bad. She hasn't had hoof care in over a year. If he can't trim the crack out isn't there a crack filler type stuff I could get. I've put her on hoof supp. and weight builder as well. I've noticed she has a lil rain rot is there any way to treat it with out giving her an iodine bath? I've also dewormed her with a dewormer thats safe for pregnant and lactating mares.
I see where your coming from Denny. I'd just rather spend the money now and get her to a healthy weight and good condition so I don't have to worry about her as much. My vet said to do what I can to bring her weight up so if she's preg there shouldn't be any complications.
Thanks a bunch
I see where your coming from Denny. I'd just rather spend the money now and get her to a healthy weight and good condition so I don't have to worry about her as much. My vet said to do what I can to bring her weight up so if she's preg there shouldn't be any complications.
Thanks a bunch
Maple Leaf Angus
Well-known member
Okay, this could get me on a black list. And I ain't no horseman. Haven't had any for 15 years.
But I had a rather strange way of preg checking a mare. An oldtimer (no, not that old &@%) told me to tie a spike on a length of string and hold it still above her kidneys.
If it went back and forth, she was open. If it started to swing in a circle , she was bred. And it worked for me. Kinda like witching for water.
Go ahead folks, pound the stake and pile up the firewood. We haven't had a good witch/warlock burning session for a long time!
Any one else ever heard of this technique? Yeah, I know, prolly not too scientific.
But I had a rather strange way of preg checking a mare. An oldtimer (no, not that old &@%) told me to tie a spike on a length of string and hold it still above her kidneys.
If it went back and forth, she was open. If it started to swing in a circle , she was bred. And it worked for me. Kinda like witching for water.
Go ahead folks, pound the stake and pile up the firewood. We haven't had a good witch/warlock burning session for a long time!
Any one else ever heard of this technique? Yeah, I know, prolly not too scientific.