LONG GESTATION

Question
haVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A MINI CARRYING A FOAL OVER 1YR?
mINE IS AT 377 DAYS. i AM SURE OF jUNE 1 08 BREEDING-SENT STUD HOME 2 DAYS LATER & NEVER BROUGHT HIM BACK BECAUSE i HAD SHOULDER SURGERY THE NEXT WEEK. i HAD HER ULTRASOUNDED. FOAL IS ALIVE & IN POSITION.

Answer
Michele:

Its possible but not common. Hopefully the mare is not on fescue pasture which can cause prolonged gestation. When was the foal last ultrasounded?? Is the mare looking close to foaling? There could be a problem also with the fetal hypothalamic pituitary axis that coordinates foaling with the mare. the mare and foal should be ultrasounded weekly now. I recommend a boarded internist do this or someone very familiar with fetal viability and wellness examinations. This is not an easy thing to do or to find someone who can do. This person may be better able to tell if the foal is stressed or in trouble and may need to be delivered by c-section. They might also say things look fine and to wait, but it is getting very long and minis also have a tendency to have alot of problems giving birth (dystocia) and that might be even more likely if this foal is oversized now from being in the mare so long. Im here if you have other questions, but I think it is time to become fairly proactive about this if you have not already. Good luck.