Will my friends mare be able to give birth?

Question

shes is 11.3 and she was in a herd of about 7 other horses and one was a colt. he is 14 months old and 14.2 already and she is now in foal. the colt is going to grow about 15.2 maybe 16hh, will she be able to deliver the foal?

Answer 1

How far along is she?  She should have the vet out for an ultrasound to get some idea on the size of the foal, if she has any idea how far along she is.  They say "nature" usually won't allow a mare to carry to term a foal too big to deliver, but that isn't 100%.  

In my opinion, for what it's worth, an ultrasound is a routine breeding expense...definitely not optional in a case like this, unless her general horse care practices are as careless as the situation that led to the pregnancy to begin with.

I'm so lucky to have true, real friends, who will lovingly yet firmly plant their boot in my butt when I am about to do something really, really foolish...like leaving an uncastrated colt out with mares...I hope you're such a friend.  This REALLY shouldn't have happened.

Added...good for you and your boot  ;o)  The friends I trust the most are the ones who won't hesitate to tell me when I'm full of ****.

Since she was covered two weeks ago, there is an unpleasant but possibly necessary option of pinching the embryo.  It's the accepted practice in twinning to save one foal by terminating the second embryo.

If the vet determines it will be a hazardous pregnancy, it would be worth the mental unpleasantness to protect the mare's life.

Answer 2

It doesn't matter what size the sire is or how big the foal will grow to be. The mare will deliver a foal that will be the right size for her to deliver. If she has has a hard birth it will be because it is her first. You could breed a full grown horse to a mini mare and she will not have problems with the size of the foal. Don't worry, she should be fine. If she has problems with delivery, it would have nothing to do with the size of the sire.

Answer 3

Ask your vet about the 'bad girl' shot.  I forget the actual name.  She could get the shot in time to stop the egg from implanting and avoid the whole thing.  Unless, of course, this was what she wanted.

Answer 4

I am a little confused by your question, but I am guesssing that she was bred by the colt?  If so, if she was just bred in the last few weeks, I would talk to the vet.  It might be best to terminate the pregnancy.  You'll need to do an ultrasound.

If she actually went full term with the foal, she would have major complications.  Remember, horses can easily breed mares as yearlings - and up to a month after castration.

It's time to consult a veterinarian, get an ultrasound, and make some sort of a plan.  Best wishes...

Answer 5

It will probably be a very hard birth on her.  I would be consulting with a vet on the best option for both the mare and foal.  She might not even be able to carry it to term because the baby will be so big inside of her.  11.3 hands is a really tiny pony to give birth to something so large. Their babies are usually around 60 lbs this baby might be more around 80 lbs and that is a big difference.  I would be talking to the vet.  When is the mare due to give birth?  Did you just see her get bred or did this happen awhile ago and you have a confirmed pregnancy?  The vet would give you the best answers