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Post by ttjab3 on Apr 5, 2006 21:43:34 GMT -5
Hi all!!
As you know we are waiting for Buttercup to have her baby.
Well, my question now is have any of you witness a field birth?
I have been watching all these cams with the babies being born in a stable, and I have watched the signs of them so I know those signs and that is what I have been going by. But, I was wondering if they are different when they are just left out in a field to go into labor and give birth?
Buttercup is out in a field, so I don't know if the signs would be different or anything different to expect.
So, if any of you have experienced field births, could you please tell me your experience so we have something to comare with and watch for??
Thanks!!
Take care,
God Bless,
Tari
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ShainaTN
Hoof Picker
^Me, Shaina Marie^
Posts: 336
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Post by ShainaTN on Apr 5, 2006 22:28:59 GMT -5
Okay, some things are different in a field birth. Mares that are about to foal in a field usually go far away in suclusion as they can. This is so they can have privacy, it is their natural instinct. Some signs are different, such as a mare will stand with a "far away" look in her eye, trust me you'll be able to tell. That I what my mare did. She was staying near us every day. And the last couple of nights she was way back in the woods away from everything... then she foaled back there! I would not expect Buttercup to foal while you are watching. If she is a private mare like most, she will go far out away in the field. That is why most mares are kept in stalls.
There are some pros and cons of foaling at pasture.
Pros
It is a cleaner and healthier environment. There will not be as much bacteria and also amonia smell that the baby is susceptable to.
Cons
You will not be as likely to catch her foal. She also may foal in a hazardous area. BARBED WIRE FENCE is a BIG no no. I learned that one myself!
I hope I have helped you out! Good luck and still praying for a safe and healthy foaling!
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Post by shelley on Apr 6, 2006 10:49:52 GMT -5
My Mare foaled Saturday morning we did not have a cam for her so we put a baby monitor out with her and the other part in my room so we could hear everything. that is how we new she was foalling luckily we had that cause we had to help pull and break the sack Good Luck thoughts and prayers with you
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Post by joy on Apr 6, 2006 18:57:23 GMT -5
All of my experience has been with mares foaling in the pasture, this will be my first this year inside a pen.....and let me tell you, the other was easier on poor me.......mother nature is a wonderful thing! She take's care of her own more often than not. I hope that you don't miss this wonderful experience! Good Luck!
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Post by ttjab3 on Apr 8, 2006 1:58:58 GMT -5
Shaina ~ Thanks for the help there!! We were kindof thinking that that is what Buttercup would do, have her foal at night in the back of the field where she wasn't seen; however, lately she hasn't laid down or really moved from the corner of the pen unless my girls are outside with her now. She just loves it when they are out there and she moves around and even lays down all the time and rolls right there with the girls in the pen with her. We really feel she will foal with the girls right out there with her. We could be wrong though!! LOL We are just taking one day at a time and watching her!! As far as the barbed wire, we don't have any to worry about!! I don't like barbed wire. Too dangerous all the way around.
We are hoping to witness her foal!! That would be such a wonderful experience for us all.
Thank you for the advice!!
Shelley~ first, congrats on a new baby!! How wonderful. That is a cool idea about having a baby monitor out there in the field with her. How did you keep it near her though? Just curious. I am glad you were able to catch it and be there to break the sack. That is what we are so afraid of here. I have heard too many people say that if they wouldn't have been there to break the sack the baby would have died. We DON'T want that to happen!! So, that is why we are keeping a 24 hour watch on her. Thanks for the reply and keep praying for a healthy baby and we catch it!!
joy ~ thank you also for responding. Why do you say that field births have been easier on you? Just curious. We hope that we don't miss this experience either!! As we keep our fingers crossed!!
Take care,
God Bless,
Tari
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Post by joy on Apr 9, 2006 1:15:32 GMT -5
lol, it was easier on me, out of sight, out of mind, kinda like watching a pot waiting for it to boil! This can make one crazy. When I was young, I used to sneak out of the window in the middle of the night, and go check my mares, because I didn't want to miss the foaling. Then the sun would come up, and there would be a baby! This year, my mare is in a pen, and instead of wandering around grazing, she stands around and looks uncomfortable! She gets turned out every day, but it is not the same. I just love her! And I stress about her!
Can't wait to hear about your foal too, hope it's soon! I check for updates every day.
Happy foaling!
Joy
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