foaling

Question
First I would like to thank you for your help with Lilly's
skin problem last I callled in another vet and not only did she have a mild sunburn she also had heat stress which caused her to loose all her hair on her face and legs.we wormed her and only put her out at night and whenI was working with her she had sunblock on I even shaved her to make it easier to apply the lotion and she got a iodine bath just to cover all bases.I'm happy to report that she is  a healthy happy service horse she pulls my wheelchair and has since she was 3 mo old.we go everywhere I also trained her older sister (2) and older half brother (3)
Many changes were made in the barn so no one will ever get overheated again.
I hope your Lily is doing well and now for my question
The man I bought my horses from has 3 mares all due mid April to mid may .I'm worried about one of them the baby dosn't seem to be moving much and I would like to try to get a heartbeat how would I do this Mom is ok with anything I do to her so she won't be a problem so where would  be the best place to put the stethescope I know all the babies are growing I've been measuring and prodding and getting responses from I call this pre imprinting and so far it's worked 3 out of 3 times it gains moms trust so I can imprint with the babies as soon as I can.My friend just can't get over the amount of time the newborns lay in my lap up to a hour at only a few hours old.
I know the vet should come in and check but he dosn't beleive in it he's been raising horses for 50 yrs without one and because I'm on a fixed income I can't afford it either.so any help would be appreciated.I'm sorry this is so long but I did have to thank you for My Sweet Liily.
                                              Kathy

Answer
Hi Kathy-
Thanks for your question and so glad that Lilly's doing well. I have never heard a heart beat on a foal so I consulted the "true" experts and here's what they said-

It is very unlikely that you will hear the foal's heartbeat with a stethoscope, no matter where you place it externally on the mare. Horses have a lot of gut noise, and the stethoscope is not sensitive enough at the distance it will be from the fetus to pick up the sound. You could use an ultrasound machine to see the foal's heart actually beating.

And this is on a large horse- much less a mini. Sorry. Many times the babies don't seem to move much and everything is fine. As long as the mare is developing normally and doesn't seem to be in distress, I just wouldn't worry. Keep an eye on her and if you are really worried, a sonogram looks like the only option.

Thanks for your nice comments and best of luck, Toni