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 340 days for approximate foaling date.

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.

1. Appetite may change
2. Filling of the udders
3. Relaxing of the pelvis and vulva
4. Drop in mares abdomen
5. Attitude may change
6. Texture of udders
7. No resistance in the tail
8. Waxing

Mia's Belly Progress

The watch on Mia begins!!

12/12 - 297 days - Mia no major change in her bag, more stretch but no fill.

12/14 - 299 days - Mia is slowing down so have her in pasture by herself when turned out. So the three other mares can play all they want and not bug Mia.

12/21 - 306 days - Mia is holding steady, no major changes as you can see, but she has started sheding so there are hormone changes going on inside her. We will be watching for when her bag start to increase as that is when she starts moving fast.

12/30 - 315 days - Mia bag is holding steady, some increase but very little. She is holding steady where she was last year three days before she foaled. Let hope she holds in this position for another 5 to 7 days if not more.

12/31 - 316 days - Mia was out all day so got to move around a lot!! Mia has a lot of edema starting to form but bag has remained the same which is good.

1/1 - 317 days - Mia was out all day, bag is holding steady but does look like her belly has dropped some.

1/3 - 319 days - Mia belly is more pointed and she has been more and more uncomfortable. Bag is making some changes again and hair is coming off her bag area. Plus the mucle in her back end is starting to fall away. Whole structure is starting to change.

1/4 - 320 days - Mia's bag has started filling and she has lost her mucus plug. Has been agitated off and on today with some pacing late afternoon. But bag doesn't look ready for her to foal so will just monitor her closely.

1/5 - 321 days - Mia's is almost completely full and she has been very quiet today. Uncomfortable when she lays down so has not been down for long when she did lay down. Bag filled a lot from this morning!! So watching for her bag to be firm and tight and tits filled out, she is still more pink in back and a lot more loosening. She is very picky with her hay and is spreading most of it instead of eating it.

1/6 - 322 days - Mia's bag has filled a little more and tits are starting too but still not completely full. She is uncomfortable at times with some yawning and kicking at belly. But feel she still has another day at least.

1/7 & 8 - Mia's bag regressed and was very quiet.

1/9 - 325 days - Mia's bag building again and very uncomfortable with times of pacing, pawing and butt rubbing. Bag doesn't look totally ready but she is making progress.

1/10 - 326 days - Mia's bag has filled even more over night and has not been competely comfortable. More relaxing in back and looks like she is in early stages to foal.