Over due pregnent mare

Question
My mare is 8 years old with her first colt.  We hand breed her and she was covered on March 26, 2008.  She is now 20 days past due.  What do I do next.

Answer
Dear Sheila

"Usual" gestation is from 320-270 days. (At 370 she is a mere 5 days over) However, healthy foals have been born as early as 315 and as late as 445.  All this amounts to is that she is not necessarily overdue.

I would see if I could find out if she has foaled before and what her usual gestation length is.  If you are concerned, get your vet to check her out.  Just remember that horses "due dates" aren't as set in stone as human due dates (and even those have some room for variation).  Has she been checked throughout her pregnancy?  Is she showing signs of imminent parturition like bag development and loosening ligaments?

If not, you may want to have her checked to make certain she didn't lose the foal at some point along the line.

Good Luck

Lynne Curtis Gudes
"Common sense isn't."