Pregnant Mini

Question
QUESTION: i actually hav a few questions:
1. My new mini mare is supposed to be almost 10mo. pregnant but the vet
says he doesnt think she is round enough to be that pregnant. He said he is
not sure and he hasn't seen many mini mares. Are there any signs we could
watch for this early in the pregnancy?
2. Are there any websites that you could suggest to help learn more.
3. We have a 10x10 stall and on one side it kind of drops so the mare kind of
slides down, is this safe for her to foal in?
4. there is a large bucket hanging low for her water and a rubber bucket on
the ground, is this safe?
Thanks, Baker

ANSWER: Hi Again Baker-
Thanks for your nice ratings.

1. 10 months is not all that early in a pregnancy although some can go on way past 11 mos. Are you sure of the breeding dates? There are such things as false pregnancies. Is she a maiden mare (her first time) or experienced? You should see some swelling of her teats by now but that's not certain as it can come on late and sudden. The vet should be able to tell via an exam or sonogram and there's always a blood test but they can be expensive. Really- they're not that much different then large mares, just smaller.

2. I have had more luck reading up on pregnancies in books than on websites unless its a specific problem. Two good ones are: Miniature Horses: A Veterinary Guide for Owners & Breeders by Rebecca L. Frankeny and The Book of Miniature Horses: Buying, Breeding, Training, Showing, and Enjoying by Donna Campbell Smith and Bruce Curtis. Both are available new and used on amazon.com and I'm sure, other places (library?). You can also read books about large horses.

3. The stall size is good. Can you level it out somehow with packed fill dirt? When she gets nearer you will want to put a lot of clean straw in there for bedding (no chips or sawdust). Be sure the stall is really clean and use an antiseptic or lime before you put any bedding in.

4. I think the buckets should be OK as long as the water bucket is not low enough for the baby to fall into.  

I hope this helps. Best of luck, Toni

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1.I am sure of the breeding date and the women(friend) we purchased her
from was quite sure she was pregnant and that was a month ago, I'm just
worried because the mare we purchased last year never foaled. She has had
only one foal before. Her teats are not swelling at all yet and we may have a
blood test next month if nothing happens.

2. We may be able to level it out but do you think it would be ok if we just
packed a lot of straw on that side? We already have changed to straw bedding
but we will probably put fresher down closer to the big day.

3. The bucket should be ok but we might raise it up some to be safe.
Thanks
Baker

Answer
Hi Baker-
1. That sounds like a good approach. Babies can be "absorbed" but generally not that far along. I guess my question is how the lady was sure she was pregnant without tests?

2. I can't really judge without seeing it but you should make it as safe as possible. An old adage is- if there's a way for a horse to hurt themselves, they probably will.

3. Sounds good.

Best, Toni