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Could she be pregnant?

4K views 14 replies 10 participants last post by  cayuseranch 
#1 ·
I have never had the experiance of being around pregnant mares. I bought a 12 year old mare in January. I checked her out real good and asked all the questions I could including if she had ever foaled before. Well the lady told me she bought this mare from a family in December 08 due to financial reasons and didn't really know anything about her. She said they never intended to keep this horse because they owned a thoroughbred farm and she wouldn't obviously fit in the riding program they ran.

Well even though I was hesitant on the purchase I felt bad for her and knew she needed a good home. Everything has been going well. She fit right in with the rest of the gang, 2 geldings and a 23 year old mustang mare until lately. She has been off by herself, she won't come up to you and is very aggressive towards the other horses.

My husband was feeding one night and he kept saying she has gained some weight lately. So I checked on her. Her belly has dropped and she seems very uncomfortable. I took some pictures of her and my daughter noticed her croup area feels like jelly. We gave her a well needed bath but didn't see any movement. She has been wormed on a regular basis since we have had her and she is also up on vaccinations. Never really thought about the vaccinations and her being pregnant. We did them last month and the vet says it was ok. Like I said earlier, I never had experience with pregnant mares.

She does not like anyone touching her hind end so it has been alittle difficult but we work slow and quiet. I have never seen a horse change their apprearance so quick like she has. She seems round and low. She was getting the same feed and hay as all the others, but she has always prefered the open field alone to graze over hay. I changed her feed to something suited to her condition just incase she is pregnant. She doesn't appear to have any milk but the sack is there, but it was visible when we bought her because that's what made me think she had foaled before. They deffinately look different from the mustang mare we have who has never had a foal.

I have read alot of blogs lately on people who think there mare is pregnant and I feel kinda silly putting this up. But until the vet comes out I would like to hear your opinions on the pictures I have posted. This mare has been a pleasure to own and has become a joy for my husband, who is not a horse person but a classic car guy who only does matenance on the barn and occasionally feeds. He has become so attached to her. I find him looking for her in the field and tends to just randomely go out to the barn now to check on her. If she is pregnant she deffinately is in the right place here!
 
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#3 ·
I have never been around any pregnant mares before, but I would have to say yes she has foaled before. Her udder looks much different than a mare that has never foaled. I have a mustang mare that I know for sure she has never had babies and compared this new quarter horse to hers and they are much diffrent, they sag down alot longer but do not have any milk. I will say that the mustangs udder is soft at the tips and the quarter mares tips are alittle hard. She doesn't really like you to touch them so we are careful with what we do to her. I am keeping a close eye on her and will be taking more photos to compare for myself.
 
#7 ·
I agree with Equus Girl. The mare does look pregnant, but I don't think foaling is going to be in the immediate future. But then, I've been wrong before. My guess would be another month or so should tell the tale.
 
#15 ·
The vet will tell you for sure, but if she has been pregnant before she may get these signs and they call it a false pregnancy. I believe they can tell the difference with palpating. But if you are willing to do the ultrasound great! Her belly is rounded like and her tail end has dropped. Not convinced on the utters though. Can't remember, did the previous owner have a stallion?

Keep us updated and if she is, post her on foal watch 2009.
 
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