Pregnant Mare

Question
Hi, Please forgive me for bothering you. But I really need to ask someone a question.


My QH mare is due to foal any day now. Her sack started forming about 2 1/2 weeks ago. We have been watching for the waxing and such but when I reached down to check her teats for any milk or wax her udder was very hard, nothing like I expected it to feel. Is it suppose to feel this way?? I have also noticed that her stools are getting softer.

This is OUR first foal but not hers. And we have no idea when she was bred. We have put her in a foaling stall 20' x 20' and are feeding her Mare and Foal feed along with Hay. We turn her out in a small pasture that we have blocked off from the other horses. We let her stay there during the day and put her in the foaling stall at night.

Any help or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Please once again forgive me for bothering you, especially on a Sunday. I just didn't have any one else to ask.

Thanks,
Michele

Answer
Hi- No problem- The udder is normal to be firm/hard to the touch- If it isn't hot-there is no problem-if it is-she may have mastitis. Most mares will wax up within a few days of foaling-We have had our mares not wax up at all and then some that way a few hours before. her stools may be softer due to the fact she is getting closer to foaling also-you may want to cut back on the feed these last few days/weeks of her gestation.You can feel around her tail-head to see if her ligaments are still there- if she looks hollow around her tail-she is ready to foal- you will also notice close to foaling her belly isn't as large as normally- the foal is positioning itself. I wish you the best of luck!Thanks