Please Help!! (mare in foal q's!!)

Foxylady

Foxylady

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Feb 5, 2003
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Hi all

My mare (Foxy) was recently out on loan and came back with the lady who had her saying she thought she might be pregnant from things people had said to her about foxy.

She didn't know of any stallions she'd been with and the only one I knew she'd been near to was my shetland stallion, so I didn't believe she could possibly be pregnant fom him?!

Then I was grooming her on monday and thought it was strange as she had something kind of sticking out her side, I touched it and it moved and since then there's been quite a lot of movement that I can see and feel on both sides.

I will get the vet out soon but does anyone know any other signs I could check to see if she is in foal? If she isn't then I'll be v worried whats moving inside!!!

Thanks!!
 
It really depends on the mare. Some mares hardly show a sign that they're pregnant until they foal, and others show a big belly almost right away.

If there was a photo or something we could see, it might help. But since there isn't...I suppose we'll have to guess! :)

I know this won't help with your fears about the Shetland, but small ponies are able to impregnate mares of horse size. I knew of a Miniature horse stallion who would wait for the mares to lie down before he would "get his groove on".

Check her udder and see if it appears swollen. If she's had foals before, it may look slightly larger anyway, because when she had the foals before, the bag would have stretched, but if she's a maiden mare, you'll be able to notice a difference - especially if you can see something moving inside.

If you had to guess, how far along would you suspect she is?
 
I was grooming one broodmare one time. She wasnt confirmed but had been covered earlier in the spring. All of a sudden, her tummy jolted out and I thought for sure it was a foal inside. Told my boss, she called the vet. Palpation. No baby. I wasnt seeing anything either, honest, but her tummy definately moved at least an inch, if not two.

Gas.

Call the vet. ;)
 
Thanks for your help, the shetland (who is now a gelding) used to get VERY randy with the mares, he was kept in a seperate field but being a little bu**er used to get through the fence.

My god, what would a shetland x TB look like?!!!!:eek:

I'm quite certain she hasnt had any foals before so I'll check her udders although havnt taken too much notice before so not sure if I'l be able to notice a change, worth a try though thanks.

The shetland was gelded in about April/MAy time I think, she could be about 6/7 months gone, it must be about half way I would guess as its moving around quite a lot, although I don't really know anything about pregnancy in mares so thats a guess!

Guess the only way to be certain is to get the vet out, though I dread when that bill comes through the door!!!:mad:
 
Tootsie: I did think I was seeing things at first but I had 2friends look and they could see moving too, I've been checking it every day and I can feel something when it pushes out, its quite mad really!!

:mad: vet..................
 
Well I have met a shetland x clydesdale and that was a nice cob :D That was a shetland stallion who had managed to have his way with a clydie mare when she was lying down :eek: Shetland X s are very common because shetland stallions are
a. not seen as much of a threat
b. escape artists :rolleyes:

Although she may not be pregnant there is a good chance she is if she has had contact with him when he was entire :( I think all you can do is get the vet out.
 
Thanks for your advice, I'm really intrigued to see a piebald shetland x bay tb.
Next step is to get the vet, I'll let you know what happens and if there's a mixmatched foal on the way!!!:rolleyes:
 
Sounds as interesting as our whipinese puppies - when our old and decrepid peke managed after 12 years to have his wicked way with our whippet bitch! We think she must have been asleep at the time. Keep us informed, photos mandatory.
 
Hiya,
I just wondered if you are the girl who owns Foxy a horse that I loaned but had to go back because she kept jumping out. If so how is she? Other than the pregnancy thing. Have to admit we thought Shandy was preggers because she was in with a rig and had the wierd belly thing going on and shes had a scan and is fine. If she's that far along then the vets can use feel to establish if there is a foal rather than the scan which would cost more. If you are the girl I know give her a cuddle from me. How come she came back? Have you been able to get her out and about a bit more? Good luck hope the outcome's what you want
 
Little Update!

Hiya,
I've got the vet coming out tomorrow to examine Foxy so I'll know for sure then.
Worked out today that it could probably be due in Feb/March so not v long to go!
I'll get some progressing photo's of her every now and then, see if anyone can notice any changes!!
 
intouch , that is the funniest thing i have had read all day, thanks for giving me a laugh, it was the thought of the whippet been asleep, whilst the peak was having his whicked way.
 
Very true Pam!
I'm still having fun trying to imagine how it happened, such a cheeky bugger, I don't feel so bad about chopping his bits off now, least he got to use them! I'm sure he'll be a proud Dad!!!

Has anyone ever seen a shetland X TB etc??? :(
I'm really interested to know what this foal is going to look like, just a bit gutted that its prob going to be too small but still v excited I'm gonna be a grandma!!:D
 
I know two youngsters with a Cleveland Bay X Dales dad (15hh) and a shetland mum:D They were accidental....first was accident as the dad was only a yearling :eek: and they thought he was too young to be fertile (evidently not!) and then he was moved well away from the mare but managed to get to her the week before the vet was due to geld him :rolleyes: One of the offspring is only about 6 months so I don't know what she will be like but the elder is a very nice 3 yr old who is due to make a cobby 13.2hh(ish). He is very nice - chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail - a bit like a Haflinger in appearance...

In my experience shetland X with bigger horses generally produce nice cobs between 13.2hh and 15.2hh depending on the genetics :) Usually very nice natures as well, steady but fun!
 
Hiya,

I had the vet out today, he didnt do any blood or urine tests but just stuck his arm up u no where! :(

My poor girl didnt look 2pleased :eek:

He said he couldnt feel anything up there although sometimes the foetus can be laying quite low in the mare so I've got 2keep an eye on her.
If she is pregnant and its the shetlands then she'll be due about February time I'm guessing.

Guess I'll just have to keep an eye on her, just trying not to get my hopes up, I'd love her to have a foal one day.
 
Hi Lesley,

I also had a good chuckle when I read about your elderly Peke suddenly becoming a Father- lends a whole new meaning to the saying- life in the old dog yet'!!!!

It is so easy to get caught out with mares- I had a lovely Highland mare on loan for my school years ago, when I lived in East Anglia, from the stud where she was bred.

They omittted to tell me that their stallion had got out and gone visiting the young fillies by himself, and so this young mare came to us, aged rising four, and we backed and rode her away over the winter.

It wasnt until I was having her shod to take to a large county show the following June, that my farrier complained that he got a squirt of milk in his eye when shoeing her hind feet.

I thought he was joking!! But no, he was quite serious!! I rang a friend who lived at the other end of the village who is a well known breeder of Welsh ponies. She came and looked at the mare, who just looked as if in fine show condition, without being excessively fat as some Highlands are shown. My friend pronounced that she didnt think she was in foal- and that she was having a phantom pregnancy. I rang my vet, an eminent horse vet, who said that it was unusual for a maiden mare to have a phantom pregnancy, and to keep an eye on her.

At around ten thirty that night, I watched as a colt foal made his entrance, pinching myself in disbelief!! Magnus went on to win even a championship or two for Highland ponies, and is now 22 years old, on permanent loan to friends in Essex since I moved down here 12 years ago. He has a life of Riley, with his little shetland friend Ella. I was staying with my friends last week, and Magnus looks wonderful- half his age, and acts it too!! So let us know if your mare gives you a surprise too, Foxylady!!

Heather
 
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