For horse owners, one of the most thrilling moments is the anticipation of a foal’s arrival.
Yet, unless you’ve seen your mare being mated or had her pregnancy professionally confirmed, it can be a bit tricky to determine if she’s expecting.
This is where paying attention to some key signs becomes essential. Let’s dive into the common physical and behavioral changes that could hint at a little one on the way.
Imagine your mare showing a rounder belly, a bit like she’s hiding a secret. Or perhaps she’s more affectionate, nudging you more often.
These little clues are part of the magical journey of discovering if your mare is pregnant. Keep an eye out for these whimsical signs and enjoy the adventure of welcoming a new foal!
Look Out For These Physical Signs
1. Weight Gain
One of the most noticeable and rapid changes in your mare can be surprisingly swift weight gain. While it might signal other things, it’s the most common hint of pregnancy.
As the pregnancy progresses, your mare will gain weight, especially around the belly and hindquarters, like a gentle expansion of a magical balloon.
However, keep in mind that some mares might not display this obvious sign – after all, the gestation period in horses can stretch between 330 to 345 days or roughly 11 months.
Early on, these signs may be subtle, like the whisper of a secret adventure just beginning.
2. Abdominal Distension
One of the fascinating signs that can hint at a mare’s pregnancy is abdominal distention.
As the little foal grows inside her, the mare’s abdomen may gradually become rounder and more pronounced.
Early on, this change might be subtle, but as gestation progresses, it becomes more noticeable and kind of magical.
Imagine spotting this telltale sign on a mare with a smaller foal or a mare with a larger barrel size compared to others—it’s like a delightful little secret waiting to be discovered.
Keep an eye out for this charming transformation in your mare!
3. Udder Development
As your young mare prepares to welcome her foal, you’ll notice a magical transformation in the last 2 to 3 months of pregnancy: the udder development.
This heartwarming change signifies the foal’s imminent arrival.
As the due date nears, the udder will start to fill with a special yellowish fluid called colostrum, or the first milk, essential for the newborn’s growth and nourishment.
It’s one of the most eloquent signs that your mare is expecting—a beautiful biological process designed to prepare the baby for breastfeeding.
4. Relaxation of Pelvic Ligaments
As delivery time draws near, the mare’s pelvic muscles and ligaments begin to loosen and relax, easing the passage for the foal’s arrival.
This natural adjustment ensures a smoother and more comfortable delivery.
You’ll notice the mare’s hindquarters may start to appear a bit sunken or swayed—a whimsical hint that foaling is just around the corner.
Keep an eye out for these signs as you prepare for this exciting chapter in your mare’s journey!
5. Movement of the Foal
In the subsequent stages of the gestation period, you can apt to see or even feel a small movement within the mare’s abdomen which is a sign that the foal is moving.
This movement can be elusive at first but when the foal grows more then due to the less space to move around, these movements can be seen distinctly.
Experiencing those tiny wiggles and kicks can be a wholesome moment for the mare and also a reassuring and exciting sign for the horse owners.
Look Out For These Behavioral Signs
1. Increased Appetite
Noticing your mare munching more than usual? That’s because pregnant mares need extra nutrients to nurture their growing fetus.
Your horse’s hearty appetite is typically normal and a sign of a healthy pregnancy.
To keep both mare and foal well-nourished, support this increased appetite with a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. Think of it as a delightful dining adventure for your beloved horse!
2. Increased Mood Swing
Just like a pregnant woman, pregnant mares also show signs of increased mood swings or changes in temper which are generally caused by hormonal imbalance and fluctuations.
It depends accordingly on what kinds of signs a mare is showing. In some cases, the mare can become more anxious, get easily startled, or can become more irritable.
On the other hand, there can be mares that may become more relaxed and calm during pregnancy, exhibiting a more submissive stance.
3. Frequent Urination
While not a surefire sign of pregnancy, frequent urination can hint that your mare might be expecting.
As the baby grows, it puts more pressure on her bladder, leading to frequent trips to the loo.
Often, this sign comes hand-in-hand with other behavioral and physical changes, making the journey of discovery even more fascinating.
4. Nesting Behaviour
As the due date approaches, you’ll notice your pregnant mare exhibiting charming nesting behaviors. This is her way of preparing a cozy and safe haven for the arrival of her foal.
Picture her rearranging her bedding in the stall, or perhaps pawing and digging into the ground with her front limbs to craft a nest-like structure.
It’s like watching a little artist at work, ensuring everything is perfect for the new life she’s about to welcome.
5. Fatigue or Lethargy
The stipulation of carrying a fetus can have a serious effect on the health and the body of the mare inducing periods of fatigue or lethargy.
If you see your mare getting exhausted more than usual or showcasing low energy levels then it could be a vital sign of pregnancy, on the whole, if your mare is in her later stages.
How to Look After a Pregnant Mare
Looking after a pregnant mare can be a little challenging task as it requires a lot of attention and special care to ensure the health and well-being of both the developing foal and the mare.
There are several ways to take into account in order to take care of your pregnant mare. Take a look at these ways to help your mare feel at ease during this crucial time in her life.
1. Maintaining Proper Nutrition
Feeding an appropriate amount of food to the mare is very essential for her and the foal. Pregnancy can cause a gradual increase in the appetite of the mare.
Pregnant mares need an adequate supply of nutrients to support the developing fetus within them.
It is important to ensure that the mare and her foetus are receiving adequate food by supporting this natural increase in appetite with a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet.
The diet should include concentrate feed, high quality hay along with the dress water.
2. Regular Vet Chcek-ups
Guidance from the vet is a basic thing at times like this. Regular veterinary check-ups should be scheduled for keeping a proper track at the health status of the mare and the foal.
Checkup should include ultrasound to monitor the foal’s growth and the mare’s vital signs. If there are any complications, these ultrasounds are helpful.
3. Regular Exercises
To maintain a mare’s overall health, regular movements and exercises are necessary. Preventing excessive weight gain is one reason for these exercises.
Light activities like turnout in a cozy paddock or a gentle hand walk do wonders for both the mare and the foal’s well-being.
Think of it as a delightful stroll through nature’s beauty! Just remember to steer clear of strenuous or abrupt movements and heavy exercises to avoid any mishaps or early surprises.
4. Stress Reduction Practices
Make sure the mare has a cosy, peaceful, and quiet environment to help her feel less stressed throughout her pregnancy.
Whatever adverse effect or disturbance will have an effect on the foetus within the mare. When giving the mare regular attention and handling, try to handle her gently.
5. Vaccinations
To help protect the foal from any infections, the required vaccinations should be discussed throughout pregnancy in addition to routine checks.
Since vaccinations transfer antibodies through colostrum, they will undoubtedly lessen the likelihood of illnesses being passed from mother to foal.
6. Hoof Care
Handling the hooves of a mare is crucial for her to move about smoothly and comfortably. A visit to the farrier early in pregnancy might be beneficial.
Hoof trimming and balancing can save a mare from becoming lame and guarantee that she can move comfortably during her pregnancy.
7. Stall Prepration Activities
When the due date approaches, a pregnant horse will exhibit nesting behaviour. Nesting behaviour may indicate that your mare is getting ready to give birth and provide a secure environment for the foal.
Set up cameras or arrange for someone to watch the mare as she foals.
8. Deworming
Once a full day has passed, the mare has to be dewormed with a dewormer.
In this instance, heed your veterinarian’s advice since the mare has to be properly dewormed in order to eradicate the adult roundworms.
Around two months of age, foals require regular deworming in addition to the mother.
9. Colostrum or Milk Production
When the time of delivery draws near, the udder will start to thicken and fill with colostrum, or the first milk, a yellowish fluid that will aid in the growth and feeding of the unborn child.
Keep a check on the production of mare’s colostrum and make sure that the foal is receiving an adequate amount of it within the first few hours of its birth.
If the mare doesn’t produce enough colostrum, have a supplement on available.
10. Postpartum Care
After the foal is born, check on the mare and keep a watchful eye on her health. During delivery, make sure the placenta is passed appropriately.
If it is not, there may be certain hazards involved. Additionally, keep a careful eye on the foal’s breastfeeding.
For a speedy recovery and to boost milk production, feed the mare a nutritious, well-balanced diet.
Complications with a Mare’s Pregnancy
Sometimes adverse situations can arise during pregnancy or the birth of a newborn.
A common problem is the breech position, where the fetus’s hind limbs are delivered first, causing excess contraction.
As a horse owner, you should be aware of this issue and know the precautions and remedies to take.
To prevent the breach position you can look out for these strategies:
- Precautions for maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and exercise program for your mare.
- Attempting physical manipulation of the abdomen region of the mare to reposition the foal if it is still in early labor.
- Carefully keeping track of the mare’s hormonal levels.
- Performing regular ultrasounds to check the position of the foal.
- Having regular checkups.
Apart from this, other difficulties can arise during pregnancy or birth, such as birth injuries, premature placental separation (red bag delivery), hemorrhage, foal birth defects, prolonged labor, dystocia, and other postpartum complications.
Conclusion
Perceiving the tell-tale signs of pregnancy in your horse is a crucial and essential part of being responsible for carrying out horse ownership and the management of breeding.
By checking out the physical and behavioral signs mentioned in this article, you can care for and monitor your mare’s condition felicitously and support her throughout the pregnancy.
Each mare is unique in its own and some may show these signs more eminently than others.
You should always consult the vet first if you suspect that your mare is pregnant to provide her with a proper diagnosis and guidance for care during pregnancy.
With the utmost care and attentive observation, you can cinch a healthy pregnancy and set yourself up for the enticing arrival of a new foal.
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