Should a mares udder be very full and very hard before foaling, she was due on the 14 april?

Question

Should a mares udder be very full and very hard before foaling, she was due on the 14 april?

Answer 1

It depends on the individual mare.  Some display very obvious signs that they are about to foal, whereas others will completely take you by surprise.

In theory, yes a mare's udder should show signs of filling shortly before foaling (this is referred to as "bagging up") but not all mares will go about foaling in a text book manner -  a few years ago one of our foster mares had her waters break and delivered her foal within the space of about 5 minutes without turning a hair - the way she just got on with it then went back to eating her hay as if nothing had happened was amazing!

I wouldn't be too worried at this stage.  If the weather hasn't been great where you are, she may just be holding off until she can be sure her little one will be ok.  If you are worried talk to your vet.

Answer 2

The majority of mares develop a full hard bag before they foal, most of them will also wax up (colostrum forms a tear drop crystal like shape on their teats) a day or 2 before they foal.  Maidens can be a bit tricky, sometimes they wax and even start dripping milk, while others won't even form a bag.  I wouldn't be too  worried if she is only on her 7th day past due.  So far this year I've had mares 3 weeks past and 16 days early, one in foal to one of our stallions even made it past 365 days before she popped.  A lot of it depends on the mare, the weather and so many other little things that go on.  I'm watching 2 right now who are not due until early May and their bags are huge and have no tone in their tails, and it looks they will wax soon, as their teats are filling and becoming thicker, they will go when they are ready to go, 340 is more of a guideline.  One of the mares I'm talking about developed a bag late last year and went a week past, now she looks like she'll go a week early, so you never know.  Just keep an eye on her and I'm sure everything will work out.  A few more details could also help a little more in pinpointing exactly what you may want to know.

I keep records of every mare I foal out and when they start to bag up and their progress, even how they behave.  This allows me to regognize different behaviour in their progression and wether to keep a closer eye on them at different stages or not, I find it helps out, even for your peace of mind at this stressful time of year.

Answer 3

that is usually typical for a pregnant mare that is close to or over due for foaling

Answer 4

have you called a vet yet as she my be haveing a bad time but yes she is suppose2 be like that

Answer 5

sure

Answer 6

If your mare has a full udder that is warm to the touch, or is excessively sensitive, and she doesn't show any other signs of impending delivery, then I would get your vet to check her for mastitis. Mares can develop an infection in the udder from pressure, from being in dirty conditions, and from other diseases. As for her being overdue, keep in mind that mares, especially maidens, can go 3 weeks early or 3 weeks late, and still not be considered abnormal. A lot depends on the individual mare, when she was bred, the gender of the foal ( as a general rule of thumb, fillies mature more quickly and are delivered sooner than colts) the weather, number of hours of daylight, and the temperature outside. Usually, a mare's udder will soften up and she will wax up a day or 2 before she delivers- and you didn't mention whether or not your mare is producing colostrum or milk. If she is, the colostrum will start out clear, and then 36 to 24 hours before foaling, it will turn completely white and become sticky to the touch, like honey. ( I used to work on a breeding farm, and I saw this happen several times with different mares while I was there.)  Don't worry if your mare is a little late- she will foal when she is ready- and you may get a nice surprise one morning.