sick mare

Question
We have an 18 yr. old mare that we got about 2 months ago, she just foaled on June 1st. this morning she was doing great talking for her feed and pawing at her bucket. This afternoon went to check on her and she wasnt acting herself. She didn't want to move and would barely talk when her foal walked away. We had to make her get out of the barn and walk around. Her belly seem really tight and she just doesn't want to move. The vet is about 30 miles away and charges 3 dollars a mile and doesn't have time to come till monday. Any suggestions.

Answer
Hi Kasi -
Sorry that your mare isn't feeling well.  It's hard to say what's going on for sure but I do have some questions for you that might help.  Have you taken her temperature?  Normal would be about 101 ... if you haven't checked it alreay, you'll want to do that.  Is she acting painful at all, like stretching her front and back legs apart as if to urinate, or is she trying to roll?  Does she seem to be breathing harder than normal.  Count her breaths, one breath includes an inhale and an exhale.  Normal would be 15 - 20.  Is she sweaty?  After she foaled, did she pass all of the afterbirth?  Sometimes pieces can be retained and cause serious issues.  Since you mentioned that her belly feels tight, it kind of sounds like she might be gassy with an extended abdomen or her baby might not be nursing causing her to have an bag that's way too full causing her to be uncomfortable.  Let me know about these things and I may be able to help more okay?

Thanks!
Judi