Post by Michelle Clarke on Mar 16, 2008 11:38:15 GMT -5
Mares usually start to develop thier udders ("bag up") at about 30 days out, some sooner, some later. There is no rhym or reason as to how and at what rate they do this. Each mare is unique and can even differ year to year. We keep good records, both notes and pictures to help us the following years.
They develop a large belly as they go and the foal gets bigger and bigger. Some mares will show early on, some won't look very pregnant until the last couple months. As they get closer to foaling, they will slow down and even thier gait gets unsteady. As thier belly gets larger, it may draw down the topline and even make the ribs more visable. The last few weeks, the tail head will start to show more as the muscle structure in the hindend gets looser and softer to allow the foal an easier birth. The last few days, the mare may not even be able to hold her tail down as you lift it.
Many of our mares tend to get very sweet and want lots of attention as they get closer. They love thier beauty days and become very demanding in having thier wants and needs catered to! We do our best to recognize these needs and go out of our way to take care of them. Many mares will want to stay in the barn or come up early. It is important to us and the health of the foal soon to arrive to keep the mare calm and happy the last days leading up foaling.
It is of the utmost importance that the mare be out and have room to move the last weeks and days up to foaling. This assists the foal in getting into the correct position for foaling and can save alot of heartache in a foal being presented wrong for birthing. The mare will also stay in better shape and not stock up when she is allowed to move around.
They develop a large belly as they go and the foal gets bigger and bigger. Some mares will show early on, some won't look very pregnant until the last couple months. As they get closer to foaling, they will slow down and even thier gait gets unsteady. As thier belly gets larger, it may draw down the topline and even make the ribs more visable. The last few weeks, the tail head will start to show more as the muscle structure in the hindend gets looser and softer to allow the foal an easier birth. The last few days, the mare may not even be able to hold her tail down as you lift it.
Many of our mares tend to get very sweet and want lots of attention as they get closer. They love thier beauty days and become very demanding in having thier wants and needs catered to! We do our best to recognize these needs and go out of our way to take care of them. Many mares will want to stay in the barn or come up early. It is important to us and the health of the foal soon to arrive to keep the mare calm and happy the last days leading up foaling.
It is of the utmost importance that the mare be out and have room to move the last weeks and days up to foaling. This assists the foal in getting into the correct position for foaling and can save alot of heartache in a foal being presented wrong for birthing. The mare will also stay in better shape and not stock up when she is allowed to move around.