Signs that a pregnant mare may be close to labor?

Question

My mare should be having her foal within a few weeks or so.The vet checked her out 2 weeks ago and thought she'd have her foal near the end of the month,early next month.I noticed she was acting unusual this afternoon,wouldn't eat as usual,nostrils flared,pouring sweat and rolling her eyes back,and acting very uncomfortable.My first thought was mabe labor pains,but her belly isn't hard with contractions,no waxing of the teats,nothing out of the ordinary except her tail held high.And she paces then trots around the barn,wants affection then nudges me away and avoids the other horses.I felt along her belly and can definitly feel her foal,so I was wondering if it's turning is making her uncomfortable?I hate to call the vet out for nothing and panic her if this is normal labor.She's had 3 previous foals,all at night and I'd never witnessed her foaling,so I feel like an idiot.When should I be concerned?

Answer 1

They make foaling predictor kits that will help you narrow it down to when she is going to foal. I haven't used one yet but have heard from people that it narrows it down really close to the date. So they aren't losing sleep for weeks waiting for it to come. My local tack shop that we go to (in Vegas) sells them for $25.

Answer 2

Sounds about right.

Answer 3

If she's done it before with no help...then she should be just fine.

The signs first...make me think of colic...if she wasn't massively pregnant...if nothing else is new.  But then again...I don't know what you mean by 'out of the ordinary'.

She could be turning the foal...means she is getting it into birthing position.  You can tell when this happens when her 'side belly' kinda disappears.  And ends up underneath her belly.  Kinda looks like a 'v' shape from a side view.

My mare never once waxed with 4 foals.  Just hours before a baby was on the ground...her bag would swell up tight.  Her 'milk' wouldn't even change color for the colostrum until that final super tight bag fill.

The butt muscles will also 'sag and fall away' from the tailhead on each side.  Almost looks like she needs to put on weight from a rear view.

Her v***a will get longer and droopier than normal...and may gap open a little bit.  This usually happens up to 3 days before a foal is on the ground...OR just hours before birth.

She's probably just grumpy and uncomfortable.  And I would assume she is turning the foal.  Just watch and check her every little bit...without bothering her.  It sounds normal.  

But I am not a vet...if you feel you need to call the vet...do it.  Even for your own piece of mind.  Many times if you just tell them what you see...they can advise you over the phone...and not make a farm call.

Don't feel like an idiot!  We all had to learn sometime!  It's just a waiting game right now.  It's harder on the owner's than the horse.  She'll have it when she's ready...whether you are or not!!

I would still be a little concerned about a belly ache.  If you can make her a warm mash with some bran...and make sure she is pooping and drinking water...that gives you something to do...to 'help' her.  The bran will help soften any poo and keep her innards working.  As long as she is eating, drinking, and pooping...she should be fine.

Answer 4

http://www.extension.org/pages/Horse_Beh...

This website explains it very well!