Staright Ranch

Mare Gestation and Progression

A mares gestation is on average 340 days but it can go well over 360 days or as early as 315 days. There is no such thing as a "Due Date" for mares unfortunately. But most mares give signs of approaching labor to help us out in this area. Some of these signs.

Some mares may display all of these signs, and some may not display any of these signs. Within a few days of foaling you will notice a change in the low part of the mares belly as it will look pointed. This is an indication foal is repositioning to repare for foaling.

Starlight Ranch basis on 346 days for approximate foaling date.

1. A mares hind end starts to relax before foaling, her vulva will lengthen and inside color will change. Muscles on her rear relax where they look like jello before foaling. The amount of relaxing can depend on number of foals mare has had.

   Appetite may change
2. Attitude may change
3. Mammor gland development - 2-6 weeks prior to foaling
4. Drop in mares abdomen - 2-3 weeks perior to foaling
5. Perineal relaxation - 1-3 weeks prior to foaling
6. Engorgement of teat ends, colostrum - 7-10 days prior to foaling
7. Waxing of teat ends - 48-72 hours prior to foaling
8. Elongation and swelling of the vulva - 0-24 hours prior to foaling
9. Dripping milk from udder - 12-24 hours prior to foaling

Mia's Belly Progress

Mia's Udder Progress

The watch on Mia begins!!

Sat, October 10, 2015 - Mia will have her teeth cleaned and ultra sounded to check her pregnancy before going into winter, at 155 days in foal.

Sun, January 24, 2016 - Mia is doing awesome, has great cover over her back, the muscle she pulled delivering Hondo in 2015 is almost filled back in. Belly is getting big but she looks really bright and happy. She will be brought into stall on March 1st or sooner if she begins bagging.

Wed, March 9, 2016 - Mia was brought into stall on Sunday, we had her out as long as possible this year so that a muscle she pulled last year having Hondo could continue to heal. Mia's milk veins have started to become very prominent, her bag fills then goes down again so has not started to fill to stay that way. Mia is 306 days today.

Wed, March 13, 2016 - Mia bag is doing a littie bit of progressing but is on the slow mode. As soon as she starts getting serious we will be in cound down mode. We have added beat pulp to her feed since she is picking through her hay, we will be watching for when she cleans up everything she is waisting.

Sunday, March 19, 2016 - Mia bag is on the fill, belly did drop and she has been very uncomfortable. She is nesting with most of her hay instead of eating it so have added beet pulp to her oats to help increase her appitite. If she follows past history looks like she will foal early again, she will be in safe zone in 4 days.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 - Mia bag is really filling now, tits are still in but bag is very close to full. We are now keeping her in for closer monitoring. She is still very picky about her food but is drinking really well.

Sunday, March 27, 2016 - Mia tits are now pointing down and starting to fill in. Her belly has dropped and is a complete V. She has been unconcomfortable with lots of leg shifting going on. She is very picky with her food and drinking pretty good but has not increased a lot as of yet.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - Mia's belly is up, bag is totally full, tits are filled out and shinny, she also has some drainage in back as well.

Mia's Breeding Progress

Dec 20, 2014 - Mia started under lights

March 26, 2015 - Mia building 2 follicles both on RO 33x35, 1 edema and no tone, large amount of fluid from foaling, lavaged and treated with Ceftiofur.

Sun, March 29, 2015 - Mia still building 2 follicles on RO 39x39, 3+ edema and no tone, moderate amount of fluid, lavaged a second time and treated with Ceftiofur.

Fri, April 3, 2015 - Teased until finally out of foal heat.

Wed, April 8, 2015 - Estrumate injection given.

Sat, April 11, 2015 - Started showing heat.

Mon, April 13, 2015 - 30 x 31follicle, 3+ edema and still building and good tone.

Wed, April 15, 2015- 45 x 35 follicle and softening, edema going down and cervix wide open, HCG shot given and was bred live cover.

Thurs, April 16, 2015 - 53 x 39 follicle extremly soft, was lavaged and ovulated soon after check.

Sat, May 2, 2015 - Not in Foal (Elected to try again, but this time would not vet check to watch progress, but would clean her up after she ovulated. This is Mia's 13th breeding year, each year is a little different how she needs managed but is still pretty straight forward for her. She has been vet checked and is healthy girl inside and out, as the vet said easier on her to keep her rolling than to give her a break as she could shut down completely. She is also very happy being a mom, so no reason not to try again).

Sat, May 6, 2015 - Bred live cover, waited until her heat cycle was extremely strong to limit number of covers.

Sat, May 8, 2015 - Bred live cover.

Sat, May 10, 2015 - Mia is out, no-longer showing heat.

Sat, May 11, 2015 - Mia was Lavaged to make sure she was cleaned up.

Sat, May 22, 2015 - Mia is confirmed in foal with 14 day pregnancy, due April 18th, 2016.