Urgent questions

[ttjab3]

Hi all,

We are first time horse owners (Buttercup) and she was due March 15th.
Since Wednesday night she has been showing signs of going into labor. Throughout the night (Wed) she was laying down and getting up, biting at her sides and swishing her tail around and doing the yawning motion. I kept an eye on her all night as this is the first time we will experience a birth. My husband came home in the morning (Thursday; he works mids) and said that her belly was rock hard and her udder was full and also hard. He said it was sticky down there near her nipples. My girls, Amber and Ashleigh, went outside early in the morning to be with her. (She just loves the girls) Well, as the girls were out there, she kept laying down and groaning. She didn't lay on her side all the way, but half on her side and half on her bellly. She was also groaning as she was standing and walking around. We thought for sure yesterday she would have the baby. We went all day watching her. It seems as if she only will lay down when the girls are out there. I don't know whether to let them out there to keep her laying down and moving, or to have them stay in the house to leave her to labor herself. When she lays down, the girls go over to her and rub her and try to comfort her. If the girls don't go over there when she lays down, she gets right up. Thursday night, we kept vigil on her and all the same signs. She laid down around 11 pm, 1 am, 4 am and then around 4:20ish am. She was moaning as she was laying there. The last time she laid down, I called my husband home. Because she laid down twice within the half hour. So, I wasn't sure. Well, still nothing as it is 1 PM Friday. Should we be concerned and call the vet to get him out here to check her?
We are worried and unsure if this should be taking this long of labor?

Please email me at [e-mail] or on here as I will come back to see if ya'll have any thoughts as to help us.

Take care,
God Bless,
Tari
PS I forgot to mention that she has been sweating, stomping her feet and having the runny poops since Thursday morning.

[Wendi]

My rule of thumb is always, when in doubt, call the vet. It's worth the peace of mind. Good Luck,
Wendi

[alipooh]

I can't answer any of your questions, because I don't own a horse and don't know, but I am praying for her, foal, and your family!!!!!!!!!!!!

[saddlebredlover]

Absolutely, when in doubt, call the vet. It is worth the cost to have the professional opinion and to have a physical exam of her. Please let us know what you find out! I hope everything goes well and you have a happy, healthy baby soon!!

[stardranch]

If it was me, I would call a Vet just to make sure everything is ok!!!!!! Best of luck to you and your mare & foal.
Doug & Jenny
Star D Ranch

[amber]

well we callEd the vet andhe said not to worry

[Heather T]

I agree - sounds like she needs to at least be seen by a vet. If you call the vet and they say not to worry without even looking at her in person, then call a different vet.

Please keep us posted.

[amber]

he said it sounds normal, and other people said it is normal

[Golden Girl]

I agree with the general consensus. When in doubt, call a Vet. But, you need a Vet that will COME OUT and examin your mare! He can palpate your mare to make sure that the position of the foal is correct. I have even seen a mare who was close to foaling, foal shortly after an internal exam, and what better time, with your Vet in attendance. ;D
Remember... piece of mind, priceless! And the health of your mare and unborn foal, worth the Vet bill! ;D

GOOD LUCK! Keep us all posted, & hope all goes well for you and your mare.
Laura Golden
Golden's Pony Farm

[CackysGirl]

Best of Luck...and yes...as all above have said...I do agree call a vet and please please keep us posted. I dont have horses but I'm here for support of all of them. MareStaring away. I'm thinking of you.
Best of luck.
Connie

[ttjab3]

We appreciate all your responses!! I am glad I have somewhere to go to ask questions as this is our first experienxe.
We took the advice to call the vet Friday and my husband explained everything that we are seeing and he said that it sounds like early labor and that foaling was imminent (DUH!!!) He said it isn't uncommon for early labor to last up to 3 to 5 days. Though it doesn't happen often that way. He didn't come out or think it was necessary to come out. As of right now, there still isn't a foal. We have seen it move, so it is alive. She is still acting like she is contracting and miserable. She doesn't stand still much. I have seen her contract and sortof push while standing. We have been wondering now, if she will just labor and foal standing up. She has had two other foals but the first one died after 2 weeks and the second one was never found (that wasn't under our care, that was under her previous owners who really didn't care for her properly at all ~ she came from a junk yard basically and no attention, no grain, no love.) So we are wondering, after watching her contract and push standing, if that isn't what happened before with her other 2 births. Since both never made it.
Well, if she doesn't have it by Monday morning, I am having my husband call the vet again and request him to come out ASAP.
We are sitting by the window 24 ~ 7 keeping close watch on her. We are lacking sleep, but it is ALL worth it. We are taking shifts when possible.
Thank you for all your prayers; please continue.
Take care,
God Bless,
Tari (from MI)

[Golden Girl]

In response to your latest info about your mare, I am wondering why your Vet isn'y more insistant on being there for your mare to foal. I mean with her history I would insist on blood work be pulled on her & her new born foal. Breeding the mare and then waiting 11 months is a long time to loose if not sucessful. Not to mention the $$ lost, & the heart ach of loosing a foal!
Best of luck to you all!

[illeybrookstud]

If this was my mare i would demand the vet to come out straight away to give her a full check over.

If she is acting like this all the time then she is hardly getting any rest and there could be a problem with the foal's position.

If she has lost 2 foals then she obviously has trouble foaling and will need the vet to help her!

[Heather T]

Thank you for the update. I've been wondering about her alot and wondering about you. You must have confidence in your vet since you are waiting, and I respect that, as I don't know your vet.

When you said that the foal was kicking...where did you see the kicking? Just curious as it may help determine if the foal is in position.

I'll be praying for a good outcome on this. Wish I was closer and could come have a look myself. I'm no pro, but it's always nice to have another opinion.

[hugger1991]

We saw the foal kicking around her utter and then my mom said that she also saw movement around her hips...... Also has anyone ever had a mare that stands while she foals? if they have PLEASE email me at [e-mail] right away. Cause we are worried about her foaling standing up. Thanks Ashleigh