Chemetrics question Bizarre update page 5

[Laurierace]

My chemetrics kit that was so highly recommended from many of you on here has arrived. I know its a bit too early to really tell much as my mare is only day 314, but I thought I would get a baseline reading today. I never did get it to turn the required blue color even when filling it the whole way to the top. Is that just because its too early?
Thanks.

[rideagoldenpony]

It's just too soon.

Watch your mare's body shape and bag, and use the test to confirm if you are "getting there".

I wait until I think the mare has enough of a bag/change in shape to look like it is *possible* before I do the first test -- even if I don't think it is *likely*. Occasionally I'm surprised and a mare is closer than I thought she would be, but in general, the Chemetrics backs up what I already thought, timing wise.

I love that it can help narrow it down to "probably tonight" or "probably not tonight" -- which means I can catch a few extra zzzz's (or not) in between squinting at my foal cam!

[raffey1]

Yes, it is too early-- it probably looked a little pinky/orange to you. When it gets closer, you might see it turn a little greyish, then back to pink. When it is close enough to actually read the number when it turns blue (usually around 80 or so) you will know what blue really looks like. Good luck!

[Laurierace]

Yes, it was orange the whole time. As it filled up it there was just more orange. I figured that was the problem but wanted to check with you experts to be sure! I guess now is when I have to confess that it took me three tubes to figure out how to get it to work. I was squeezing the lever before putting it into the solution therefore there was no suction. At this rate I am going to need to order a second kit!
Time for one more "my mare is a saint brags" if you don't mind. We think she has a mild yeast infection between her udders that I am trying to get cleared up before they get engorged. I cleaned her with baby wipes and then waited for it to dry before applying the medicine. While I waited I walked back directly behind her because I am stupid and lifted her tail to check her vulva. I saw there was some manure on there so I used a baby wipes to clean her up. It was then that I realized I had just wiped the scab off where they opened her caslicks, the whole thing was now bright red. My mare never even moved an inch. Poor thing would have been completely justified in giving a little half hearted kick in my direction, but she did not.

[Fairview Horse Center]

or you can just use these http://cgi.ebay.com/100-Sofchek-Water-Hardness-Test-Strips-2-x-50_W0QQitemZ150205473132QQcmdZViewItem

1 ml milk + 6 mls distilled water, stir 15 seconds and dip. Compare to the color coded chart on the bottle. Sofchek used to be made by Chemetrics. Mares usually foal within 24 hours when it matches 250 ppm

http://www.h2osupplies.com/mare_foaling_predictor_kit.html

http://www.kimdon.com/sofchek_milk_test_strips.htm

[Ladybug Hill]

Honestly, if you put the 1.5 ml of milk in the little graduated cylinder and add the indicator solution, the solution will turn slightly and then more darkly pink/purple before you ever do the pipette drawing. So you can save the pipettes and extend the usefulness of the kit if you wait until you see a slight color change in that first step before bothering with the pipette step. At the early stages, the solution will remain that orange color even after adding the indicator. But things can change rapidly on a mare yo don't know so still test daily but only do the first step until you see the orange change slightly to pink.

If this is confusing, please feel free to pm me. I love the chemetrics. I forgot to order it for myself! I better get to it!

[Laurierace]

Honestly, if you put the 1.5 ml of milk in the little graduated cylinder and add the indicator solution, the solution will turn slightly and then more darkly pink/purple before you ever do the pipette drawing. So you can save the pipettes and extend the usefulness of the kit if you wait until you see a slight color change in that first step before bothering with the pipette step. At the early stages, the solution will remain that orange color even after adding the indicator. But things can change rapidly on a mare yo don't know so still test daily but only do the first step until you see the orange change slightly to pink.

If this is confusing, please feel free to pm me. I love the chemetrics. I forgot to order it for myself! I better get to it!

I had to read this twice before I figured out what you are talking about, but I think I got it. My only question is does it turn the pink/purple color when you add the indicator solution with or without the 9ml of distilled water already in the beaker?
I don't know where you live, but I ordered my kit on a Saturday evening with that following Monday being MLK day, it still arrived on Tuesday, I was impressed!

[Ladybug Hill]

Oh yes, forgot about the distilled water. Yes, do all the steps up to pullinng it up into the pipette. Sorry. I don't have a kit in front of me, just going on memory. If when you add the indicator, you see no change to pinkish then it is also still too early to get the blue change in the pipette.

That way you can still "test" the milk every day if you want without wasting the pipettes. Maybe every few days you can still test with the pipette if you would be more comfortable, but this way will maximize your kit.

When it gets really close the solution gets quite magenta when you add the indicator to the solution.

When you get above 125-175 (blue pipette step) you should probably test twice daily. It can go very quickly from there.

[Laurierace]

Great tip, thank you! I had pretty much resigned myself to buying a second kit since there is no way I can resist testing her, its fun being a chemistry geek!

[Ladybug Hill]

How much bag does she have? What color "milk" are you getting?

[Laurierace]

I would say right about half a bag. It is real yellow/amber colored almost like apple juice. It has been more or less this size for about 4 months though so nothing to get excited about yet. She is 314 days right now, the first time she went 351, so I may be doing this for a while....

[Ladybug Hill]

Well do keep in mind that too manipulation of her udder can cause mastitis. Make sure your hands are clean and be gentle. Honestly, you can probably hold off until you see some significant increase in size of her udder. And remember there are mares that will fool you! My mare is very textbook--in fact all the mares that I have used Chemetrics on were very textbook, but I have heard others state otherwise.

Good luck! It is a TB mare? Racebred? Breeding? Breeding of the stallion?

[Laurierace]

Well do keep in mind that too manipulation of her udder can cause mastitis. Make sure your hands are clean and be gentle. Honestly, you can probably hold off until you see some significant increase in size of her udder. And remember there are mares that will fool you! My mare is very textbook--in fact all the mares that I have used Chemetrics on were very textbook, but I have heard others state otherwise.

Good luck! It is a TB mare? Racebred? Breeding? Breeding of the stallion?

Thank you, I will definitely be careful. Yes my mare is a racebred TB. She was my first foal herself so this foal is part of my second generation. I am hoping they keep the streak alive as we are going for three generations of 100% multiple winners. The foal is by Slew City Slew by Seattle Slew. I don't have the link to the hypomating but do have the pedigree page for her first foal who is by Pleasant Tap. Obviously her info will be the same on both. If you put your mouse over the picture icon next to his name near the top of the page you will see him at 15 months old while he was still slick and pretty. Thanks for allowing me to brag!

http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?query_type=horse&search_bar=horse&h=QUITE+HONOURABLE&g=5&p=0&f=1&l=

[Edgewood]

Yes, it was orange the whole time. As it filled up it there was just more orange. I figured that was the problem but wanted to check with you experts to be sure! I guess now is when I have to confess that it took me three tubes to figure out how to get it to work. I was squeezing the lever before putting it into the solution therefore there was no suction. At this rate I am going to need to order a second kit!
.
:D Don't feel bad as I did the SAME thing the first time I got the kit (3 tubes later I figured it out...). And I work in science, so I think that it must be their directions.:lol:


Good luck with your mare. When she gets close, it will turn blue very quickly and you will have added very little milk solution to get it to turn. You might want to test only every few days as long as it is still bright orange.

[Ladybug Hill]

Thank you, I will definitely be careful. Yes my mare is a racebred TB. She was my first foal herself so this foal is part of my second generation. I am hoping they keep the streak alive as we are going for three generations of 100% multiple winners. The foal is by Slew City Slew by Seattle Slew. I don't have the link to the hypomating but do have the pedigree page for her first foal who is by Pleasant Tap. Obviously her info will be the same on both. If you put your mouse over the picture icon next to his name near the top of the page you will see him at 15 months old while he was still slick and pretty. Thanks for allowing me to brag!

http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?query_type=horse&search_bar=horse&h=QUITE+HONOURABLE&g=5&p=0&f=1&l=

The colt looks like a nice hunter type mover? And Pleasant Tap is quite the looker too!

I love the Seattle Slew horses--always seem to have a good jump and a pretty look. Do you have a webpage for the Slew City Slew? Do your foals ever end up in show homes after racing?

[Home Again Farm]

Ladybug is right on about the solution turning a purplish color when things are starting to get closer — so that is one way to save the pipettes.

I take a milk sample every day once a mare is easy to milk. I check its color and (don't be grossed out) its taste. It will be salty for a very long time. When it becomes more bland and goes from bright yellow to greyer or whiter, you are getting much closer. Keep in mind that some mares (especially maidens) can go through those changes in a matter of hours, so I usually at least do the first part of the test (up to using the pipette) every few days once they are easy to milk.

I only have one mare who refuses to read the Chemetrics test and foals within hours of hitting 120+. Maidens can test negative, negative, negative and then build very fast, so watch all the other signs as well - body shape, vulva shape and color, mood changes, changes in habits, etc.

Good luck!!!

[Laurierace]

The colt looks like a nice hunter type mover? And Pleasant Tap is quite the looker too!

I love the Seattle Slew horses--always seem to have a good jump and a pretty look. Do you have a webpage for the Slew City Slew? Do your foals ever end up in show homes after racing?


He has fabulous hunter movement, I guess that must be from his Dad because his Mom doesn't pick her feet up off the ground. I can't figure out why he is so darn little though. Mom is 15.3 and Dad is 16.2, he will be 2 years old next month and is a hair over 15 hands. The pedigree analyst warned me that I may have to delay starting the foal's training when he got older because they tend to be really big and take a while to grow into themselves. I guess my guy didn't get that memo!
The Slew City Slew foal is the one that is on the way but I can link you to his stallion register page. He is smaller than Pleasant Tap, I hope this foal doesn't end up pony sized! I generally donate my horses to a rescue when they are done racing, they have gone on to do all sorts of things.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/stallion-directory/stallion.aspx?stallion_no=970290

[VirginiaBred]

We foaled a Slew City Slew filly for some folks last year, and she was gorgeous, and big!

[Blonde Filly]

I gave up using the chem stripes years ago. You can tell by the milk it's self once your train your self to it. Once the milk turns, white it is usually not that night but the next night they will foal. Also if the milk does not turn white, white but is sticky and you have your fingers stick together..it is that night!! Now there are some mares that will do none of this and foal anyway, so always look for the belly dropping and the tail relaxing as well. We did have one mare with no bag at all foaled in the field in the day time at 325 days, but I believe the mare slipped or something went wrong..she had zero signs of foaling that AM and the filly was dead plus was 25 day earlier than this mare usually foaled.

Good luck! ;)

[Ladybug Hill]

Chemetrics is not just strips. They have a higher degree of variation making the small changes more measurable. Yes, you can tell quite a bit from other signs, but these have really helped me pinpoint foaling down to about 12 hours. That is really helpful when you have a non-horsey job. Yes, and not all mares read the textbook so you have to be ready to expect the unexpected.

And Laurie, maybe the colt just hasn't gotten his growth yet. Who knows why some grow and some don't.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

Can somebody post up the link of where to get them? Thanks!

[Laurierace]

http://www.chemetrics.com/visprods/foalwatch.htm

[Fairview Horse Center]

The Chemictrics Sofchek strips (see ebay) were the original tests used to check milk calcium. I purchased my bottle of strips from the M.A.R.E. Research Center in Middleburg, a long time ago. These "strips" cost less than $10 for a bottle of 50.

I won't ever use the "kit". With the strips, I can get a pretty accurate reading even using 1/4 ml of milk (+ 1.5 ml distilled water) for those early tests. I can also use 3 mls milk (18 mls distilled) if available for even better accuracy. It is just a mix of 1 part milk to 6 parts distilled water.

The strips are so easy to use. I have a tiny tupperware cup that I use for milking. I then draw up the chosen amount of milk in a syringe. Dump the cup, rinse with distilled water, and shake it out. Squirt the milk from the syringe back in, and add the needed (6 parts) of distilled water using the same syringe. Wait 15 seconds (I swirl), and dip the tip of the strip. The tip is treated with a chemical that changes from green (enjoy your night sleep), to brown, to lighter tan, and finally to pinkish tinged at 250 ppm. (Color match is on the bottle label) Most mares will foal within 12 to 24 hours from when it tests 250 ppm. These strips have trained me to not need them any more. As soon as I milk into the cup and take a look, & feel the stickiness of the drop left on my fingers, I know what the test will read. I run the test so the boarders can see because they think it is fun. SO CHEAP. I can run the tests 4 times a day for almost nothing. Distilled water is about $2 a gallon. I use the same gallon for years.

Using the same milk + water solution, you can dip a pH strip too and get another reading/clue.

Try it if you have a spare $10. You probably won't pay for test tubes again. You will certainly LOVE how often you can check because it is costing you amost nothing.

Chemectrics saw that many mare owners were using their strips, and found a way to package it for $$.

[Home Again Farm]

I usually agree with you Fairview, but two years ago I tried those strips alongside the Chemetrics test. Maybe it is my poor eyesight, but I really prefer the exact increments that I get from the Chemetrics test. I didn't feel nearly as certain with what the strips told me.

I do agree that the longer you test milk (with any reliable test) the more you'll know when to not bother to waste a strip or a pipette. If I foaled out a ton of mares every year I might save some $$ and go with the strips. But as things are for me, I love the exact results and peace of mind that Chemetrics gives me.

[Fairview Horse Center]

I got very comfortable comparing colors when using the strips, because I could test several times a day. I spent about a decade needing to pick the night for the mare owner that lived an hour away to stay at the barn, and was successful using the strips. Anyone that wants to use them along with their kit will learn to judge the shade of pink, and then be able to save money, or at least have an option for multiple tests, and early tests when there is not enough milk, like on maidens, to use the kit.

Even before the strips, I had figured out that white crystals would ooze out of the tight udder when a mare was down, and dry on the inside of her hind legs within 24 hours of foaling. Now I know that it was dried calcium I was seeing. Then when the strips became known to be a test, it was just something I compared to my already good way of predicting foaling.

[Sugarbrook]

HI! As most of your already know, I am a BIG Chemetrics user. I, also, just add the distilled water (hint, if you use the kits distilled water up, just buy a jug from the grocery store of distilled water) and the purple solution and milk and look at the color. If its orange dont even bother using the pipette. Kit lasts a long time that way.

One big thing (I know Gretchen knows) is to watch for any BIG change in the numbers or color. Say its 60 at night and in the AM you test and it turns to 125 or higher, thats a huge jump. Be on stand by to test again. I, ok I am wierd, but I taste the milk. Bland is doing nothing, but sweet is again on stand by. High alert so to speak!!
I have had mares go from no reading to 200 in one day. WATCH THE MARE. Wax means nothing to me. Almost all of my mares wax, drip, and foal all in a few hrs. Of course, as everyone knows, there are exceptions to every mare and her foaling for THAT particular year. Anyone with questions feel free to email me: sugarpony@aol.com

[rideagoldenpony]

Sandy (Sugarbrook) was who turned me on to the Chemetrics! I ran out on the last mare last year and tried the spa strips -- but that was not nearly as easy to tell (for me) as with the Chemetrics.

I like the reassurance of what I already know/suspect. I'm fairly experienced in foaling out mares (19 years), but I still like the "backup" of what I am already thinking.

Most mares I end up testing 1-3 times before foaling -- unless I am just super antsy -- which does happen (like last year, when I ran out on the last mare). LOL So far I've gotten through both foaling seasons (7 mares and 9 mares) just using one kit per season.

[Sugarbrook]

Meee tooo Gretchen. I use one kit for many foalings. I probably use more the first mare of the year to get on a roll (lol) but totally get on board after that.

[ljshorses]

Meee tooo Gretchen. I use one kit for many foalings. I probably use more the first mare of the year to get on a roll (lol) but totally get on board after that.

Lol, I do that too...I guess I am soo excited that I test that first mare constantly. This year, my first 2 that are due (and yes, I know there is no such thing as due dates so this could change) are maidens. You better believe I will have my Chemetrics kit ready. I also, learned to conserve the pipettes and watch the color change. I even figured out how to use some pipettes more than once (new kit not in and needed them).

[Laurierace]

Well even though I was warned and attempted to be careful, I think I gave my girl mastitis. I went to the barn this morning and her bag was WAY bigger than the day before yesterday. I didn't see her yesterday. It was hard and warm on the side that I used to get the sample from. I called the vet and she said to start her on SMZ's and be extra careful from now on. On the off chance her bag was way bigger for a different reason I went ahead and tested it and it never turned blue. I hope she forgives me!

[Sugarbrook]

Hummmmm........I have used the test for years and have never had any problems with mastitis. Are you sure its mastitis? The bag gets rock solid hard, and any milk(not milk really) that comes out is like cottage cheese. I had one sent to me to foal for the customer and the first night she acted real strange, like ready to foal without any other signs except the hard udder. This WAS mastitis. Cleared it right up and she foaled normally a month later. She was pretty uncomfortable.

[Windswept Stable]

I would really doubt you gave her mastitis. without seeing it--not sure how it was diagnosed. Probably just bag changes. But then again--I am not a vet and did not see it either. But same as Sugarbrook, have used the kit a lot--and never ran into any problems.
Bags do wierd things... one day big, next day down, from no bag to HUGE bag... sometimes half of it puffy, somtimes the pufffy all the way up in abdomen...
That said--I generally do not attempt to "Milk" a mare that shows no signs of having development. Jingles for your mare.

[Joie]

I use both Spa Strips AND Chemetrics. NO WAY will I ever be without either one. I'm like a mad scientist now! I adore modern science.

I started out in 2006 with just the Spa Strips, and they worked well for me. But last year, I have mares sit at 1000 on calcium on the spa strips for DAYS before I finally got the chemetrics and realized that they really weren't a "true" 1000ppm on the hardness. Not even close. The Chemetrics is much more sensitive and accurate in as far as the calcium/hardness goes. But the pH on the Spa Strips is a BIG help. So now, I use the spa strips until the calcium hits 500, and/or I see the pH start to drop. Then I switch to Chemetrics.

This year my "early" mare went from just barely registering the Spa Strips as far as calcium, but I noticed her pH dropped a square. SO, I started the Chemetrics. She had 1 day with nothing measurable on Chemetrics, and then on the second day she was at 50 at 11:30 AM. By 4 PM she was at 150, so I went home, got my kids fed and in bed, and went back to the farm. By 1 AM she was at 200, and she foaled at 2:12 AM. The best indicator for me, then, this year, was the pH on the spa strips. Had I gone by calcium (hardness) alone I'd never had gone back to check on her. But when I saw that huge (to me) drop on pH in the afternoon I went ahead and "wasted" a pipette. I am glad I did! She never did stay "butter yellow", and was only at 200 on the Chemetrics for calcium right before she foaled, so, well. You know. Mares don't read much, I guess.

Also, Carosello gave me this tip: do NOT use that crazy suction/lever thing they provide you with. Use a clean "Chemetrics only" needle and syringe instead. Suck up the milk/indicator/distilled water mixture and just slowly dropper it into the pipette. It is SO much easier, and you don't get all those foamy bubbles which make it hard to read. Suction/rinse your syringe with distilled water after each use, and you're good to go.

I am SO thankful for Chemetrics/Spa Strips. My first filly this year was born on the coldest night of the year (it was 20 below WITHOUT a windchill). Had I not been there to dry her and keep her warm RIGHT AWAY she'd never had made it.

[Laurierace]

I am not sure she has mastitis, the vet wanted to treat her just in case so its gone before the foal comes. It could be she just got way bigger in that time frame, it was bound to happen eventually. I went all out tonight and sanitized my hands first and made sure I was nowhere near the end of the teat when I squeezed. When I was done I cleaned the whole thing with very diluted iodine.
In case you are interested I just came back from hooking up my foal cam, she is live on the net! The link to my site is in my signature, there are links to the cam to the left of the home page, and also on the bottom of most pages. I am soooo excited!

[Fairview Horse Center]

When I was done I cleaned the whole thing with very diluted iodine.

I would not use that to clean the udder. It is very drying to the skin, and you will have real problems. I don't keep cleaning the udder to use the milk tests, and I do milk sometimes on the end of the teat. I have never had a problem. I don't like to use any chemicals on the udders. I wash everything with plain water, my hands included - distilled for the actual equipment to run the tests.

[Sugarbrook]

Ditto. Warm water only. Nothing else. Just keep it simple.

[Laurierace]

Well heck that is what I was doing before, I assumed it wasn't good enough and that caused the problem if there is a problem. Ok I will go back to plain water, thanks.

[Ladybug Hill]

Honestly, I have never had a mare with mastitis from doing this either, but Chemetrics very clearly states that it is a possibility. I would think that a rare but occasional mare will have a problem. Always better to be safe than sorry. I agree that good hand santitation and gentle handling is probably adequate. I think your bag changes are her just shaping up a bit more.

[Laurierace]

Well I finally got my chemetrics kit to change to blue today, hooray!! Now tell me what that means.....she is finally registering by turning blue but only with the tube filled the whole way so basically a 50. She is due Feb 23, does turning blue mean anything other than just keep testing her and wait for a meaningful number? Any idea if she will go on or around her due date, or could this possibly mean she may go sooner? I know that you have no way of telling me that for sure, I guess I am asking once they start turning blue does it tend to progress incrementally, or do they tend to stay in one place for days or weeks? The first foal was day 351, I am really hoping she doesn't go that long because I want to go to my Grandma's 101st birthday party on March 17th in Florida, but I can't if I am still on foal watch. I have been afraid to buy my tickets yet.
Thanks for helping me figure out what I am seeing!

[Sugarbrook]

Hate to tell you this, BUT, I have had them test at the top of the tube (blue) in the AM and be at 250 in the evening. Again, and I say this over and over, WATCH YOUR MARE. If she looks like something is happening it probably is. I have also had some test 80, 85, 90.......and on and on day after day. I think I already said this, but I dont waste the glass tubes until near the end when the mixture in the cup (water, drop of purple stuff and milk) turns that funky purple color. If its orange, nothing is going on. It could test blue at the top of the tube, but most likely wont turn blue at all.
What did the color look like when you tested her (before drawing in up into the glass tube)?

[Home Again Farm]

Once blue, most of mine have foaled after 3-6 days. However, some will linger much longer and some will shape up more rapidly. That was helpful, wasn't it? :winkgrin:

[avezan]

Chemectrics saw that many mare owners were using their strips, and found a way to package it for $$.

heh, heh. I used to drive by Chemetrics everyday on my way to work. My first foal was due in 96 and a friend suggested stopping by Chemetrics to buy a water testing kit for the milk. So I stopped one day, and they had no idea what I was talking about. Then someone overheard, and said, oh, you want this kit. Good for them for marketing their product to a new audience!

I just look at the milk now, and can usually tell by the consistency and the color when the mare will foal within 48 hours, usually 24. Of course, the maidens always make me nervous... I have one maiden this year. 2 years ago my favorite mare was due the day after I returned from a 1 week trip. So I took her to my vets while I was away just in case. When I picked her up, the vet tech said, oh she won't foal any time in the next 72 hours. They must have been using a test. I got her home and checked her milk and knew that she would foal soon. I didn't think it would be that night because she didn't have that smug look. You know that look...the look that says, I'm going to do something cool today and you're probably going to miss it! I did check on her anyway that night, but no foal. The next day she did look smug so I slept in the barn and she foaled that night.

[Laurierace]

Hate to tell you this, BUT, I have had them test at the top of the tube (blue) in the AM and be at 250 in the evening. Again, and I say this over and over, WATCH YOUR MARE. If she looks like something is happening it probably is. I have also had some test 80, 85, 90.......and on and on day after day. I think I already said this, but I dont waste the glass tubes until near the end when the mixture in the cup (water, drop of purple stuff and milk) turns that funky purple color. If its orange, nothing is going on. It could test blue at the top of the tube, but most likely wont turn blue at all.
What did the color look like when you tested her (before drawing in up into the glass tube)?

She was still blue at the top of the tube (50) again when I tested her this evening. The color has been orange, but for the past few days there was a hint of pink added to the orange, but it didn't turn blue until yesterday even with the hint of pink there. I know I am basically wasting the tubes, but who cares, I'll buy another kit if I have to, it makes me feel better. It gives me something concrete to do instead of just look at her and fret! I am sticking with the plan of just testing once per day for now, but if she jumps up at all on the scale I may go to twice a day early just for the heck of it. I know it doesn't mean much, but she still has a ways to go with her bag.
So do I buy my plane tickets for March 17th?!?!?

[Laurierace]

Once blue, most of mine have foaled after 3-6 days. However, some will linger much longer and some will shape up more rapidly. That was helpful, wasn't it? :winkgrin:

Actually it was. Makes me feel like she won't follow her mother's pattern of going 365 days on the button which would be March 19th making me miss my Grandma's 101st bday party.

[Windswept Stable]

Actually it was. Makes me feel like she won't follow her mother's pattern of going 365 days on the button which would be March 19th making me miss my Grandma's 101st bday party.

I dont know--but you know the old saying " a watched pot never boils"

If I were you, I would go to the birthday party. Chances are --Grandma won't have too many more. Can someone cover your mare for you?

Checking her milk level every 10 minutes won't make her foal any faster.

I had 6 foals last season and did not use up one whole kit. I only checked when the signs were there that it was close.

Good luck to you and sure hope this works out that you get to do both.

[Ladybug Hill]

If you are getting any blue at all, I think you have less than 7-10 days. Just my guess. Might progress faster than that though. You are at about 328 days now?

[Laurierace]

She is 326 today. A week to 10 days would be wonderful, lets hope the baby is listening!

[Home Again Farm]

My bet is that she will foal well before your Grandma's birthday. :yes: Keep us posted!

[Laurierace]

She tested a 65 tonight, we are slowly but surely getting there. This is fun!

[Silver Sport Horses]

Laurierace, I hope you don't mind me asking a question to.

I just got my kit as well. We have a mare that is 338 days today. Her milk is a creamy white color. When we mix it with the distilled water and add the drop it turns to a rosy pink that has a purple tinge to it. But then when we suck it up the tube turns almost a clear peach oragne color. Is she just not ready or ???

Thanks for the help!
Monique

[Laurierace]

Well I am not the right one to answer that question as this is my first go around with the kit, but from what little experience I have, that doesn't seem right to me. Up until three days ago when I finally got it to turn blue, the fluid in the pipette stayed the same color it was in the beaker once it was drawn up. In other words, it either turned blue or stayed exactly the same. So far my solution has been when in doubt, do the test again, just because its kind of fun. I would test again making sure everything is cleaned with the distilled water first. I also found it helpful to hold the fluid in the beaker up next to the white of the chemetrics box and the orange of the writing on the box for comparison.
Best of luck to you!

[Ladybug Hill]

Laurierace, I hope you don't mind me asking a question to.

I just got my kit as well. We have a mare that is 338 days today. Her milk is a creamy white color. When we mix it with the distilled water and add the drop it turns to a rosy pink that has a purple tinge to it. But then when we suck it up the tube turns almost a clear peach oragne color. Is she just not ready or ???

Thanks for the help!
Monique

It never turns blue or grey when you fill the tube completely? If not, then she is just not ready. But from the sounds of your rosy pink/purple color of your mix, you should start seeing some changes soon.

Good luck!

[Laurierace]

She was 75 tonight. Slowly but surely she is marching along!

[Ladybug Hill]

She was 75 tonight. Slowly but surely she is marching along!


Watch carefully--sometimes once they hit a certain point they just take off!

[Laurierace]

100 tonight. This is getting exciting!

[Shawnda N]

I just ordered another Chemetric test kit for this year. It has saved me a lot of sleep in the past few years ! I have found that with most mares, once they hit 100, they will often linger at 100 for a few days, then jump to 200 + overnight, and then foal with in 48 hours, depending on the "jump'"from 100. For example, if they increase from 100 to 200 overnight, baby will be most likely be born in 24 to 48 hours. If they increase from 100 to 250 +, baby will be born that night.

[Laurierace]

Thank you, I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

[Sugarbrook]

Please keep us updated. I have my first mare to foal this year "due" (LOL)yesterday. She has a very soft tiny bag, kind of like the first time she foaled. Nothing to test yet, but if I remember correctly she got a tiny bag last time and only tested the last day or two. At least you have time to prepare for the big event. sandy

[Silver Sport Horses]

We finally got a reading. YEAH!

Yesterday she was about a 60. Tonight is was 125. BIG jump!
COME ON BABY!!!

[Laurierace]

We finally got a reading. YEAH!

Yesterday she was about a 60. Tonight is was 125. BIG jump!
COME ON BABY!!!

Wow I think a big jump like that would catch me off guard. Hope she goes soon and all is well.

[Ladybug Hill]

I also find that it is best to do it at the same time of day when just doing it daily. Above 100 I would almost do it twice a day (depending on your mare).

[Kenike]

board died when I tried to post last....grrr...

Anyway, I hope she progresses for you, Laurie, and doesn't stay stuck at 100 for a few days like some mares like to do! I'm sure you'll make it in plenty of time for your grandmother's birthday party, and you definitely need to be there :)

[Laurierace]

Stuck at 100, you guys called it!

[wildREDhorse]

Stuck at 100, you guys called it!

I was peeking at foal cams again last night (my husband and I have been watching your pretty mare) and he saw a mare that had already foaled and got excited thinking it was yours that he had been watching.. Told him, nope, sorry that's a different one... Soon though! He says the cats like it when I forget to turn off the computer screen at night. :) Yeah, blame it on the cats.

[Laurierace]

Aww thats cute, I am glad you are enjoying her too. I am looking forward to the foal being here but this anticipation part is fun too. I hope I am not putting too much faith in chemetrics, but so far when it says not tonight, I sleep through the night. I guess if the test is wrong, you guys will have to wake me up. Keep in mind I am 15 miles away so don't wait until you see feet!

[Laurierace]

As soon as I posted that I was going to go to bed she bit at her side twice. I guess I need to watch her even if she is only at 100.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

She wants your attention Laurie. :lol:
Our neighbors had two more tbs born last night, both at 12:30am so my daughter and I went to go see them after we were done taking care of ours. I love seeing all teh foals running around! The colt born last night is HUGE! It makes you wonder how the heck they get those things out! The filly is a bit smaller.

[wildREDhorse]

Yes, very enjoyable! So happy for marestare... More fun having a fellow COTH'ers mare to watch!

I hope in the coming years we'll be having a little one to be waiting on... I think my mare really wants one.. After all she tries to take any foal she meets as her own.. and oftentimes the mama's let her babysit... In addition, she was actively trying to breed herself to all the geldings in the pasture this afternoon. *UGH* How embarrassing! :no: I guess we'll have to help her out one of these days.

Your mare looks like she's settled down for the night.. Maybe experiencing some braxton hicks contractions or something that was bugging her...

[Laurierace]

Well we are at 125 tonight and her bag is noticably fuller. I would say its almost full. I know the kit says to start testing twice a day once it hits 125, but can I really still go to bed at night and not worry?

[Shawnda N]

Yes, get some sleep. Baby should be imaking an appearance in the next 3 or 4 days.

[Silver Sport Horses]

FYI ...
my mare that jumped from 60 on Feb. 9th
to 125 at 6:30 pm on Feb. 10th.
We tested her again at 10:00 pm and she was 175.
She foaled at 9 am the next morning on February 11.

[Laurierace]

FYI ...
my mare that jumped from 60 on Feb. 9th
to 125 at 6:30 pm on Feb. 10th.
We tested her again at 10:00 pm and she was 175.
She foaled at 9 am the next morning on February 11.

Holy crap! I can't sleep after that!

[wildREDhorse]

At least it looks like Jess is snoozing in her normal spot... Doesn't look like the contractions are coming on yet... Maybe take a nap and set your alarm for in a couple hours to make yourself feel better?

[wildREDhorse]

Laurie, you out there tonight? She's lookin a bit more active than usual... Saw her biting her side and pawing a touch... But not doing anything exciting now... Can't quite tell what she's doing...

Trying to decide whether to call ya... Or if I am just getting excited over nothing...

[Laurierace]

I am checking on her but don't hesitate to call if you think you see something. Thanks for checking on her for me!

[wildREDhorse]

Ok, just making sure! About to hit the sack and she was making me nervous there for a couple minutes.

When she peed I thought her water had broke.. and ran for my phone.. but then I thought otherwise :lol:

[Kenike]

Holy crap! I can't sleep after that!

Sorry, Laurie, but this response made me LOL :lol:

Can you sleep in stages? Like check on her every 2 hours, or so?

[Laurierace]

She seems pretty quiet now. I have been dozong on and off, more off than on. I think it takes a day or two until you get good at going back to sleep quickly.

[Laurierace]

She was 125 again this morning. I am going to bed!

[Laurierace]

Well tonight was a weird one. I took the sample and tested it and it was an 80. I couldn't figure out how she could back slide like that so I took another sample out of the other side and it was between the 125 and 150 marks, so maybe 140 or so. I have been alternating sides so its not like I haven't used that side at all, not sure why it was so different.
She was restless until about 3am when she settled down. Had another restless spell around noon and has been pretty much quiet the rest of the day. Still very interested in her food, gobbled it right down. So what do you think, check her every 2 hours or go to bed?

[wildREDhorse]

I have very minimal foaling experience, but I thought they usually didn't eat dinner when they were going to foal very soon?

[Home Again Farm]

Laurie,

Your mare seems to be shaping up gradually and nicely. My experience has been that when they make big leaps, they go fast (Hunt for Joy's mare is a good example). When my girls have progressed like yours, they have foaled the night that they hit 200 or more.

Now, please don't take that to the bank. You know your mare and are seeing things that we can't (laxity of croup, shape of body, udder color - shiny, reddish tint is a big sign for me, vulva - swollen is a big sign, as is dark red, restlessness and other behavior). Some of mine have not hit 200 at last night check the night that they foaled, but other signs have kept me up for good reason. However, most of mine follow the Chemetrics book. :yes:

[Ladybug Hill]

I have very minimal foaling experience, but I thought they usually didn't eat dinner when they were going to foal very soon?


Don't count on that. My one mare would eat right up to foaling and then stand up and check on her feedbox again soon after! But it can be a sign. Just depends on the mare.

[Laurierace]

Ok, I don't understand this at all. Jess has had a half full bag for about the last month or more. The past few days it went to somewhere between 3/4 and full. When I left last night it was full or very close to it. If you read my last post before this one, you will see I had a weird reading out of one teat so I tested the other and it seemed normal.
This morning farm owner notices that her bag is smaller than it has been when they went to turn her out in the pasture after being stalled all day and night yesterday, so it got smaller being stalled, not bigger. I got there around 11 this morning to do her test and when I got her out of the field her bag was practically gone. Its back down to half or less than half. I took a sample and it tested between 100 and 125 so maybe 115.
I called the vet and told her that her bag was gone and she basically said she had seen it happen before and that its not anything to worry about. She doesn't know why it happens but it does and it will be fine. Of course the nervous nelly in me wasn't cool with that so she is coming to take a look in the morning.
Now I am hearing mutterings of "I knew this would happen, she drained all the colostrum out with those tests, now the baby will be in trouble etc." Is there any validity to that? I know it says in the directions that it will not affect quanity or quality of colostrum, but I have to admit it looks bad. I know her bag was big last night after I took the tiny sample out though, so where the heck did the rest of it go?
Its always something I guess, but I definitely didn't expect this.
Thanks for the hand holding!

[Fairview Horse Center]

If they move around a lot in their stalls, they can walk down the bag.

[VirginiaBred]

Not to worry.

It will return! :)

[Laurierace]

Ok thanks, you guys are basically saying what the vet said which is good. I still don't get it, but I guess I don't have to!

[Sugarbrook]

It will be fine. My mare that I am watching right now goes from a tight tight bag to a soft one in a few hrs time. I have said this before, and I will say it again........TASTE THE MILK. Sticky and sweet is what it will be near the end. When she is really close and you do the test you will see pure white coming out. Looks like skimmed milk. SWEET TASTING.

Just trying to help. : )

[AdAblurr02]

It's OK, ALL mares are different. My senior mare has had enough babies that she never totally loses the udder - though she does dry up, I've heard of MANY who never really dry up.
Younger mare, a TB, did just what you describe for her first foal for us (her 2nd foal). She would be "full" in the AM when turned out, and come back in completely totally FLAT. Zip, Zero, Nada darn thing. She still does this though not to quite the extent she did.

She'll finally bag up a bit just before foaling - and she has these humongous babies that take ALL her milk, which is not nearly as much as any of the other mares. So, babies all have good appetites and start eating solid food pretty early all on their own!

[Home Again Farm]

Not to worry. And you have NOT robbed her of her colostrum. She doesn't have any yet. :winkgrin: Keep the faith. :yes:

[Laurierace]

Now see the bag filing up overnight while stalled and then being smaller when coming in from the pasture is something I was prepared for and expecting. Getting smaller while stalled and then disappearing while turned out is what threw me for a loop. Seems like I need to have a refresher with my mare on the ground rules. Jess and I had a little chat about what she is and is not allowed to do during this time of high anxiety. I told her from the beginning she was not allowed to do anything out of the ordinary, or anything to scare me. She was doing a pretty good job of keeping her word on that one until today.
She informed me that she has to eat, drink, poop and pee, and that we are not allowed to comment on any of that. She also said she is going to lie down occasionally, so there is no need to alert the media whenever she needs to take a nap. I think I have been doing a pretty good job of holding up my end of the bargain, hopefully this little reminder will refresh her memory and she will hold up her end as well!

[Shawnda N]

You are even more paranoid than I was with my first foal ! :eek:
Don't worry. The night that she hits 200 + then you can figit until the baby comes out. It just sounds like she is shaping up nicely, and following most of the rules for mares that wish to toally exaust thier worrying owners.
I have a mare that will stand with her legs crossed until you leave. Like take two minutes to go to the bathroom, and bam, baby pops out.
The chemtrics test and the visual signs will tell you when the baby will arrive. Good luck ! ;)

[wildREDhorse]

The answer to your question is no, you can not empty her milk supply. I can't find my reference, but I remember them telling us in a lecture that a mother can actually produce collostrum for longer if her baby is born prematurely (to supplement their needs).

The only reference I found to soothe your fears is from Wong/Hockenberry "Maternal Child Nursing Care" (humans): "Prolactin is produced in response to infant suckling and emptying of the breasts (lactating breasts are never completely empty; milk is constantly being produced by the alveoli as the infant feeds). Milk production is a supply-meets demand system; that is, as milk is removied from the breast, more is produced. Incomplete emptying of the breasts with feedings can lead to an increase in milk production." --- Same thing goes for the breasts in general, get more out, body makes more. (In normal, healthy situations)

Hope this helps!

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

FOALING MARE'S SECRET CODE

The mare's secret code of honor is as old as horses themselves and is ultimately the species best kept secret. No mare shall ever produce a foal before it's time.
(It's time being determined by the following factors):

No foal shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved.
Your house must be a wreck, your family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and your social life nonexistent.

Midwives must reach the babbling fool status before you foal out.
Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence mean you're getting close.

For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, foaling must be delayed by at least one day for each item.

Vet check, add a day, internal add three.

If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready. You'll be fine while I'm away for the weekend," Wait 12 to 16 hours and pop that baby out!

Owner stress must be at an all time high!
If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you're getting close. When you hear the words "I can't take it anymore!" wait three days and produce a foal.

You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are necessary!
Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait.

The honor of all horses is now in your hands.
Use this time to avenge all of your stable mates.
Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. OH, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful worming's can also be avenged at this time.

If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have this foal, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe storm warning is what you're waiting for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works!
Make the most of your interrupted nights.
Beg for food each time someone comes into the stable to check you.
Your stable mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too.

Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special horses are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful filly to carry on the mare code of honor for the next generation of those who wait!

[Laurierace]

That is very appropriate. Judging from that she should foal just in time for the 4th of July fireworks! We can name the baby Uncle Sam.

While we are attempting to wait patiently perhaps I should share with you all another occasion where Jess and I had a little conversation where we ended up coming to an agreement.
It was November and I had decided that I was going to retire her and send her to KY to be bred in February when the breeding shed opened up. I told Jess that if she won her race that day she would never have to race again. If she didn't win, she would keep trying up until it was time to leave for KY. Jess has always been a love bug, there is nothing I can't do with her or to her. I used her for beginner riding lessons inbetween races since she was a two year old for example. My daughter loved to go in her stall and sit on her back with her arms draped across Jess' neck for hours.
So anyway, day of the race, she goes off a zillion to one because I only ran her in allowance races so I didn't have to worry about her getting claimed. The pedigrees of the other horses in the race looked like racing's Who's Who with $150,000 stud fees everywhere you looked.
She won the race by 11 1/4 lengths! But here is where it gets really funny. I look out and see the outrider racing over towards the turn, I knew it had to be for my horse because the other horses hadn't made it that far yet. My heart sunk when I saw the jockey standing on the ground holding her reins while the outrider came to assist him. My first thought was that she had broken down, I was beside myself. Soon afterwards I see the outrider jogging on his pony and the jockey running inbetween Jess and the pony. All of a sudden he vaults onto her back from a strong trot! They make it to the winners circle and I find out that my little lesson horse stopped right after the wire and bucked the rider off and refused to let him get back on even with the outriders help! She was retired and wanted him to get the heck off! That was three years ago last November and no one has sat on her back since.

[Home Again Farm]

Laurie, what a great story!! She will make you crazy, but my bet is that all will be well in the end. Hugs.

[pintopiaffe]

Hang in there. I've been watching this thread and smiling.

I had a mare 'regress' like that, somewhere between day 350 + 360 to boot...

As has been said, you are not disturbing colostrum. The whole thing the milk tests *test* IS colostrum. She doesn't have any yet. When she does, the calcium goes up, dramatically.

Agree too that you can taste it, for me, after 6 years of milk testing, I know when I strip out a squeeze or two just by consistency, colour etc. When it dries on your fingers like sugar water or powdered milk... you're going.

Hang in there. Sounds like a VERY smart mare who is just 'milking' all the attention. ;)

[Laurierace]

For some reason I keep thinking of the quote that goes something like "better to remain quiet and be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Her bag was more or less back and she tested a 125 tonight.
I am going to bed for a day, a week, a month, whatever. You guys wake me up when the baby is ready to go to the track!

[Sugarbrook]

UPDATES THIS AM??

[Laurierace]

She was 150 at 9am. I just got back from shipping a horse to PA so I didn't see much of her today. The vet glanced at her when she came this morning to palp my other mare and said she looked great. Since her bag was back in full force I last night I didn't have her do any sort of real exam.
I will go back out around 6:30 for her evening test so we should know more then. I am watching her bite at her side and right now lay down and roll onto her back and am not paying it any attention!

[wildREDhorse]

Well since you're not watching! I assume you saw her flopping back and forth from her side to laying for a couple minutes. I had just tuned in, and then figured she was just trying to get comfortable, poor girl. But if she hadn't stopped putting her back legs out straight and rolling to her side i was on the verge of giving you a ring if she didn't settle down, in case you weren't watching at that moment! I had half of your number dialed and was waiting another moment to see what she was going to do! AH! I have become fond of your mare and her watch!! :yes: She needs a big tempurpedic mattress to lay on to get comfy until she foals on the 4th of July~

[wildREDhorse]

What were her evening numbers looking like? Are you guys close?? Saw ya go in there and check her before I headed out to the barn.

[Ladybug Hill]

You can't leave us hanging like this. We want NUMBERS! LOL

[Laurierace]

125. I give up, call me when the foal is ready to go to the track, I am good at that part.
Edited to add, is anyone else getting a database error on this thread? I am getting shut out on both computers more often than not. Yesterday when I was having my daily panic attack I almost started a new thread for that reason.

[VirginiaBred]

I can't get on your webcam to save my life. I use Firefox and it won't let me see!!!!! I can't download the plug-in...........:(

[Laurierace]

Can you get any of the MareStare cams? If not there is a section on the Marestare website that talks you through most cam viewing problems. If that section doesn't help you can email them directly and they will see if they can help you. I can see it right now so I know its not a problem on this end.

[VirginiaBred]

I'll check. :)

[VirginiaBred]

Got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Thanks, Laurie!

[Laurierace]

Yay, now you can watch her and tell me when to put on my catcher's mitt!

[Sugarbrook]

WEll, hate to announce this, but my mare I have been watching went from testing nothing yesterday to 125 this am; Just did the test a bit ago and she is over 200. I am thinking I will be having a baby tonite. I am watching her from the house on my cam. Oh, and by the way......the milk is white and sweet!!

What site should I be checking to see your mare?

And, yes, I keep getting that wierd message when I go to change pages. Whats up?

[Laurierace]

I just saw the farm owner check on her a minute ago. The lights are back off in the barn so he must not have thought he saw much. I checked her at 7:30 and she was back to 125.
Here is the direct link to my cam or you can get it through my website which is my signature.
http://www.marestare.com/mcdowrace.php

[wildREDhorse]

MAnnnn I was sureee she was going to have jumped high in her numbers tonight after the up and down she was earlier today. I was at the barn thinking, I better finish up out here so I can go home and watch Jess. It's better than reality tv! Unless she's in the screen actors guild and didn't get the memo they are off strike now...

[Laurierace]

I apologize, its my fault not Jess'. As I was driving out to the barn this afternoon to watch her foal I thought to myself that my mare is so perfect in every way that she even has the decency to foal at 5 in the afternoon. I walked in the barn and she gave me a look that said "lay off on the bragging will ya, that one is gonna cost you a week at least!"

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

Just sitting here in CA on a Friday night watching your mare snooze....at least she's finally out of her corner! She looks cute all curled up. :yes:

[wildREDhorse]

What were the chemetrics numbers this morning?? I fell asleep last night, and woke up and there was still only one horse in the stall. Do you feel like a news reporter yet? Let us in on the juicy gossip. Any other changes besides the number?

[Laurierace]

She was 150 this morning so I had them put her out in the pasture. You can see our mud melted over the course of the day and she spent some time in the mud spa. I should just leave it on her, by the time she foals she will be carrying 100 pounds of baby and 100 pounds of mud!
I plan on going back out around 6 for the nightly numbers unless she throws another tantrum like she did yesterday and I have to run out there before then.

[wildREDhorse]

I think your little missy thinks she's a comedian with all of us watching... WHY is she stretching all funny. She stopped now, but it almost looked like the "colic or pre foaling stretch" if you missed it. Where she put her front legs out in front of her and stretched back. Now back to normal. I think she's messing with us again. She's probably laughing at us as I type.

[Laurierace]

The mud is probably drying to a shell, she just wants to make sure she can still move her neck!

[wildREDhorse]

Is it just me or did the cameras go down? Weather is awful here, but I do seem to have the internet...

Nevermind.. back on now, looks like camera moved.

[Laurierace]

Ok, now what do I do?!?!? I take the night time sample around 6pm. Mix it up and test it and finally hit the magic number of 200! Don't ask me why, maybe because it appears as I am getting close to the end of having to test her milk and only a couple days into my second kit, I decided to test the same sample with another tube. This time it reads 150, same as this morning! Ok now I have to test it again to figure out what the real number is and I get a 175! So one sample, three tests, three different numbers! I give up!

[wildREDhorse]

Have you been sleeping enough? :lol:

[Laurierace]

Well she definitely tested 200 hundred today. I tested it twice and got the same reading this time. A reading of 200 means they are supposed to foal within 48 hours. Not sure if we should start the clock running as of 6pm last night when I got the mixed readings or 10am today. Either way, we are getting closer. She isn't going out with the herd anymore so she will be under the cam unless I am watching her in turn out from here on out.

[Home Again Farm]

When they test 200 I do not leave them (by that I mean that I keep them on the monitor). Most of mine that tested 200 in a morning test foaled that night. Several have foaled that afternoon. So, be vigilant. :yes: Jingling for a safe and easy foaling!

[VirginiaBred]

Well she definitely tested 200 hundred today. I tested it twice and got the same reading this time. A reading of 200 means they are supposed to foal within 48 hours. Not sure if we should start the clock running as of 6pm last night when I got the mixed readings or 10am today. Either way, we are getting closer. She isn't going out with the herd anymore so she will be under the cam unless I am watching her in turn out from here on out.

Yay! Gonna be soon!!! :yes:

[pintopiaffe]

yay!

I wish I didn't have to work tonight so I could keep checking in.

Good luck--healthy foaling--YOU'LL BE FINE!!! :D

[wildREDhorse]

Whoo! The time is near! I just remembered what that stretching she keeps doing is, as I couldn't remember it's purpose before, it's getting the foal in place to pop out! Yay!! I have to work at 645am tomorrow with a 45 minute drive in to the city... Do you think you could ask her to do this at a decent hour?? TIA! ;)

[Laurierace]

I'll be sure to ask when I go there this evening. Do I ask the mare or the foal?!?

[Laurierace]

175 tonight, I think the decent hour thing is not an option.

[wildREDhorse]

Your test strips or something in your process sounds funky, especially with the variation in the readings from the same milk sample last night.

Is there any information in the test box that saying that they will peak and drop in their numbers before birth?

Any changes with her croup, vulva, bag?

Have you checked off everything on the afore-mentioned list by Flipped Her Halo?

Just curious.

[Laurierace]

No real changes in her bag, croup has a ways to go but has softened some, vulva looks close to ready. I don't know about the test variation.

[wildREDhorse]

This is why I like human L&D. Stick your hand in there see how big the cervix is, attach the Toco's and watch the monitor. Induce labor if necessary. No biggie.

If they don't have toco's for horses, I think I am going to invent them. We could probably use the same electronics, just get a bigger belt to attach around the horse's belly.... I will be rich.

[Home Again Farm]

Laurie, are you going very, very slowly when pulling more up with the titret? That or a slight variation in water to milk ratios between tests would be the only reason I can imagine the variations you are seeing. I am so old and bind that I have to wear my reading glasses to be sure I get all the measurements correct. Also a reading can seem higher than it actually is unless you wait for any bubbles to subside.

Has the color, opacity, taste of the milk changed? If you had a true 200 this AM, my guess is still tonight or tomorrow. Jingling all goes well!

[VirginiaBred]

Leave the barn lights off as much as you can. They prefer the dark. :) And quiet.

[Laurierace]

Thanks everyone. I am going to break out a case of monster energy drink and see this thing through no matter how long it takes. I may never do this ever again, but I am going to do it right this time.
I think I am doing it slowly enough when drawing the sample up, but who knows. If I didn't have a milk test I would say she still has a ways to go based upon her appearance, but I figure the milk kit hasn't let me down yet. I have been putting a small amount on my finger and tasting it each time for the past few days. I don't have anything to compare it to but it does seem the tiniest bit sweet. Not sticky at all.

[VirginiaBred]

Oh, you'll do it again!!!!! It's VERY ADDICTING. :)

[VirginiaBred]

She's very shiny.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

I found myself checking her cam at midnight here in CA last night. I'm off tomorrow so hopefully will get to see a foal tonight. Good luck Laurie!

[Ladybug Hill]

Yes, if the milk is not pulled up in tiny amounts then you will get some fluctuations in your readings. I would agree that she is likely very close. 1-3 days hopefully.

[Laurierace]

One day I will be ok, three days, you can all send a donation in lieu of flowers to the horse rescue of your choice in my memory.....

[Ladybug Hill]

One day I will be ok, three days, you can all send a donation in lieu of flowers to the horse rescue of your choice in my memory.....


Well you just sealed the deal--3 days it will be! :lol::D:lol::eek::yes:;):D:lol:

Were you not here for the Suerte ordeal?

[Laurierace]

Think I can speed things up if I drive myself to the looney bin?

[Ladybug Hill]

nope!

You can have the last laugh when I am in anguish over my mare in a couple of months! :D

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

Was that you in her stall a few minutes ago in the pink jacket? My computer here at home is slow tonite and keeps dropping the connection to the cam etc.

What's the update?

[Laurierace]

No that is the farm owner making his nightly check that I am not supposed to know about before he goes to bed. I assume he wasn't too excited or they would have called. He was nice and picked out her couple of piles though, he never does that.

[wildREDhorse]

Yeah... she is way too calm to go tonight... One might think she would be a little more restless if she was going to seal the deal tonight... Maybe tomorrow, when I can watch after work she will pop it out... But then again, I will probably fall asleep right after my shower when I get home... But *maybeee**

&&hopefully that will make her pop it out for you, but I didn't say this&&

[wildREDhorse]

Look, I did it! It's bedtime, so she starts pawing...

[Laurierace]

She is digging through two feet of straw to get at the alfalfa! I am wondering if maybe I just overfed her and there isn't even a baby in there at all!

[wildREDhorse]

Hahahahaha, is that what she's doing?? LOL :lol:

Didn't y'all get an ultrasound or something at one point?

When is her "official" due date anyways?

[Laurierace]

Of course I had an ultrasound, several of them actually. I was joking about that. She is due on Saturday.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

At least she's out of her corner. :lol:

[jennywho]

She seems restless right now, but this is the first day I have watched her for more than a few minutes. Does she usually move around this much at night. Figure I can practice foal watch for in a few weeks when mine start.

[wildREDhorse]

Oh look Laurie, she waited on me! Looks like my attempt to jinx this to happen last night didn't work.

jennywho - She seems to always lead a very active stall life. :)

[VirginiaBred]

Good Morning!

I see no baby..............YET.

[Laurierace]

That was a fun night! I put a sleeping bag down on the floor in my office and set my alarm to go off every hour, that way I didn't have to get up to check her. It wouldn't have been so bad if guinea pigs weren't noctural. If I have to do this again tonight, he is getting relocated.
Ok what you are waiting for: she tested between the 200 and the 250 mark so I guess 225. Her bag is by far the biggest it has been this whole time. I thought it was pretty full before but we have a new definition of full.
I bought a foal saver blanket a month or so ago My hubby gave me crap about buying it and I told him it was like insurance. If I bought it, it would be 60 degrees when she foals, if I didn't it would be 60 below. Its supposed to be mid sixties today.

[Edgewood]

Not to wish more sleepless nights, but last year, my TB mare tested 225 on a Friday AM and didn't have the baby till late Sunday night (she was around 500 ppm by then). My other mare went at about 350, about 20 h after 225. Hopefully yours will go sooner so that you can get some sleep.:D

[Home Again Farm]

Not to wish more sleepless nights, but last year, my TB mare tested 225 on a Friday AM and didn't have the baby till late Sunday night (she was around 500 ppm by then). My other mare went at about 350, about 20 h after 225. Hopefully yours will go sooner so that you can get some sleep.:D

To try to cheer you up from that sad story (you had really bad luck there Kris :winkgrin:), all my mares that registered over 200 in a morning check foaled later that afternoon (yes daytime foalings) or that night. My bet is that it won't be long. :yes:

[Laurierace]

No she isn't broke out in a full body sweat. Its so warm today that she got a bath! That should last all the way up until the time she goes outside and can visit the mud spa again. I was going to wash her bag and vulva but decided to just keep going. Then she drug me all over the farm going from grazing spot to grazing spot. I finally put her in because she made ME tired!

[Sugarbrook]

My mare that foaled sat at 11:30 am was at nothing (ZERO) on Thurs pm. 125 Fri am, and 225 Fri pm. So.......sticking tongue out at your mare.......it can happen fast. Then again it can drag on and on and on.

[pintopiaffe]

Do you have a pool or hot tub by any chance? If so, try pH testing some of the milk.

No matter how long the calcium stays high (and mine usually foal w/in 12-24 once it's over 400) when the pH drops, you're going. High calcium AND high pH--at least set the alarm for every 2 hours. ;)

I love milk testing, but it's a whole new world when you add pH to it. :yes:

[Laurierace]

I think we are close to being in business. Her udder is full and starting to shine. We tested her milk at 1:00 it started to turn blue around 250 and went all the way blue at 225.
I will see if we have some PH strips around. If we do, what is considered to be high PH? I am home briefly to shower and then I am heading back to the barn to see this through.

[Fairview Horse Center]

Not to worry you ;) but one of the young ladies at my barn had been there waitng all night, went home for a quick lunch and shower. She lived 20 minutes away, and had ALMOST made it home. I called her back, but the filly was already here by the time she made it.

[Laurierace]

That is fine with me. I would love to be there but if I miss it and get a healthy foal, that is ok with me. She is in very experienced hands whereas I am a foaling rookie.

[Fairview Horse Center]

Another lady had camped out for 3 weeks, and at 5PM went 2 miles away to 7-11 for coffee. She left her cell phone on the truck seat while in the store, That is when I called. She almost missed it as well. They do seem to know when the owners leave.

[VirginiaBred]

Hey Laurie!

What's the latest???

[Laurierace]

She was around 225 at 5. I went home for awhile so thats all I know right now.

[VirginiaBred]

I'm thinking things are looking pretty darn interesting now!

She looks really soft.

[wildREDhorse]

Niceee, home from work (playing with GSWs, MVAs, splits and splats) and now maybe I get to see a foal born!!... That is if I don't fall asleep. I can tell you my feet sure are happy to be sitting! Go Jess Go! Go Laurie Go!

[Laurierace]

Jess is very uncomfortable. She is breathing heavily and I think I may have seen contractions but can't be sure. Stayed tuned!

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

It keeps dropping the connection on me though. I'm going to reboot and hopefully speed things up and not miss anything.

Great thoughts coming your way!

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

Was that you in her stall? Is it time for a foal??? :yes:

[Laurierace]

Yeah that was me. I was trying to see if what I saw earlier were contractions or fetal movements. I can't tell for sure but am leaning towards fetal movements. She is eating away as you can probably tell. Twice tonight she has gone down and was breathing hard and moaning while she was down. I went home for a while and they called me back to the barn when she did that the first time. The moaning could just be the pressure on her rib cage when she lays down.
Before I came back earlier they thought her water may have broken but I searched through the bedding and only found a small wet spot so I don't think it did.
To sum it up, I really have no idea what if anything is going on!

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

I noticed her laying down about an hour ago, then she was up doing laps again. Silly girls wants to keep us all guessing. I figured it was you since she seemed happy to see you sitting under her bucket. :lol:

[Laurierace]

Ok, she has been in her favorite corner for over an hour. I am going home.

[Laurierace]

Anyone see her waiting at the door for her breakfast?!

[VirginiaBred]

:sleepy::sleepy::sleepy::sleepy::sleepy:

[Ladybug Hill]

Any numbers this morning?

[Laurierace]

Well the pessimist in me says today will probably be the day since I am home with a sick kid. I am going to go to the barn and check her shortly but need to have my daughter to the doctor by 2 as she has a temp of 102.1 She hasn't had a fever like that since she was a baby, she is 12 now. Not sure what the problem is. My husband is home so she won't be alone when I leave but I want to get back to her shortly anyway.
I will test her milk when I get there just because I have a couple tubes left. There isn't much point otherwise as she is clealy in the 2% of mares who don't read the manual.

[Edgewood]

There isn't much point otherwise as she is clealy in the 2% of mares who don't read the manual.

Sorry, Laurie, I must have jinxed you from my comments above about my ET recipient mare who tested at 225 on Friday morning and foaled at 8 pm Sunday night. She also didn't read the rule book and really wanted to extend out the wait.

Hope your daughter feels better soon!

[Home Again Farm]

And I feel badly for being so sure she would read the %#!!@%%$#! book. Sorry, Laurie. :confused:

[Laurierace]

We got an earlier appt at the Dr, Olivia has the flu. I am heading to the barn now for my first check up of the day.

[wildREDhorse]

That was going to be my guess on the daughter, it's that time of year, and it's bad. We've had nurses dropping like flies having to go home because they have a high fever.

Not sure if the doc told you what to get or not, but I found that Sudafed (the real stuff, for nasal congestion), and Guifeneson (expectorant for cough, loosen secretions) were a nice cocktail to make me feel half better during the worst of it. Hope she feels better soon. And for you Laurie, LOTS of handwashing so you don't get sick!

I think Jess is going to wait til Saturday and be "right on time" and give you the opportunity to fulfill all of the "have you gone crazy yet" checklist ;)

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

I didn't sleep much last night and found myself checking her camera almost every hour! I'm a bit grumpy this morning. :lol:

[Laurierace]

Not that it matters obviously, but for those of you playing along at home, she tested almost 250 at 11am after I got back from the doctor. She was turned out for a couple of hours where she walked a lot and galloped some. She also rolled on one side giving her a before and after appearance as one side is squeaky clean still and the other side is dirty. I got the mud off but the dirt underneath is here to stay for a while.

[wildREDhorse]

Well to look at the bright side, her numbers do continue to go up every day. :) So she will foal out someday.

And she looks very shiny and pretty on tv! Despite this mud you speak of, I see a shiny butt as I type.

[Ladybug Hill]

Well, I am a nurse and ended up with a fever over 101 while at work yesterday. I think it was much higher when I got home. I think I have the flu too. Be careful with Sudafed--can actually cause sleeplessness sometimes. I even had the flu shot, but they are saying that it has been the least effective year for the flu shot. I don't like using a lot of medications, but I found Motrin to really help me and my kids AND you won't believe this--plain old honey--for the night time cough! I read about this and it does seem to help.

Well, despite being sick, I did get up at 4 am and watch the foaling cam. After watching for about 20 minutes I convinced myself she wasn't going to foal. Just too calm. Many mares get a little more restless and have frequent poops right before foaling. She just didn't look like this to me. I think she is going to extend this out as much as possible. It would be neat to see what she tests tonight around 8 or 9pm. I did have mare go above 350 before foaling but it was a rapid progression after reaching 200.

Good luck. Hope your child feels better.

[Edgewood]

Many mares get a little more restless and have frequent poops right before foaling.

Well, she could end up like my ET recipient mare in more than one way (delaying to well over 225) and by not showing a lot of signs. I already said that my ET mare hit 225 ppm in on Friday AM but didn't foal till Sunday at 8 pm. But she was sneaky in that her ONLY sign prior to breaking her water was a few yawns in the hour prior to foaling. And I had never really seen her yawn before, so I watched her more closely. She had no pawing, no extra pooping, nothing but the yawning. And when her water broke, I swear she had the fasted labor ever (15 minutes total from water breaking till the foal was completely out).

And she wasn a TB mare too!

Good luck with your mare Laurie!

[VirginiaBred]

Any updates?

[Laurierace]

I am heading out there in a few minutes to do her stall again and do the milk test. I have two left, I might as well use them. I'll let you know then. Thanks for asking.

[VirginiaBred]

I forget, what was her previous foal? And, was she early?

[Laurierace]

She tested 250 tonight at 8:15. The mixture was a little different color tonight than it has been before I drew it up into the tester. It has been bright magenta, sort of a hot pink with purple mixed in. Tonight it was a more whitish looking hot pink. No idea what that means if anything, just passing the info along. I have one test left so tomorrow will be out last reading if she doesn't go before then. She doesn't seem like she will foal anytime soon, but I know that can change quickly so I will be monitoring her just the same.

[Laurierace]

I forget, what was her previous foal? And, was she early?

He is a colt and was 9 days late.

[Ladybug Hill]

I am hoping tonight is the night! Good luck!

Seems that I remember that odd color change too right before foaling so maybe that is a good sign.

[wildREDhorse]

Maybe if she crosses her legs again tonight you can just test tomorrow night with your last tube. Tell her to relax :) And she'd probably tell all of us to relax if she could talk "I'll shoot it out when I'm ready! You guys chill!"

[wildREDhorse]

Is it a nap? Or is it a baby? Hopefully for Laurie's sanity, that alien that lies within will come visit soon.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

Is it a nap? Or is it a baby? Hopefully for Laurie's sanity, that alien that lies within will come visit soon.

Not sure, when I looked a bit ago she was doing the stiff-legged thing. She is fidgeting a lot and she usually doesn't do that when I've seen her napping. C'mon girl, we all need sleep. :lol:

[wildREDhorse]

I can not imagine how tired one would be after such a long foal watch. I'd tucker out by now! I fell asleep with the laptop on my chest last night, and my sweet husband came in and set it on the floor, lol.

Jess doesn't look like she's resting too deeply... maybe it's the calm before the storm... We can hope right?

Go Jess Go! You can do it! *cheers*

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

It looks like repositioning time. She's back up....we need the water to break and to see that foal. :)

[Laurierace]

So what do you guys think, should I head out there?

[Fairview Horse Center]

getting close

[jennywho]

My guess would be to go! Good luck!

[wildREDhorse]

That last lay down she had that "oh lord" look on her face... I want to say yes, I'd go, but I'd also not want to jinx it!

[Fairview Horse Center]

How far are you away?

[wildREDhorse]

*voila* someone just snuck in for you.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

They are in checking her now too.

[Laurierace]

Farm owner checked her and said it didn't look like much. He said go back to bed, not sure if I can do that or not though.

[wildREDhorse]

Noooo... Does that mean he's watching her for you and will call you when she does something exciting? lol

Is her head in her feed bin?

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

I'm not sure if I could either, but at least they are keeping an eye on her.

[Laurierace]

No I watch her and call them to look at her when needed, not the other way around. If she goes back into her corner I guess I will go back to bed. If not I will watch awhile first.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

So you get all the sleepness night with the benefit of being at home. Do you live close by? My daughter was asking me tonite when do we get to start sleeping in the barn. :lol: Not until April.......at least it will be warmer by then.

[Laurierace]

I am about 15 minutes away

[Fairview Horse Center]

Do you have sound? I don't think I would be comfortable not checking her at least every 15 minutes, if no sound.

[Laurierace]

No I don't have sound.

[Fairview Horse Center]

:( That is what I depend on so much to get thru. I crank up the volume and TRY to sleep with the noise. I can go a week like that because I am not fighting to stay awake. Hope she foals quickly for your sake. Can you set an alarm for every 15 minutes, and peek then?

[Laurierace]

I actually have people doing virtual foal watch shifts so I don't have to watch her at all technically but of course I still am. My Mom was babysitting all the way in California when this latest bit of excitement occured. I got two phone calls and three instant messages when she laid down the first time but I was watching myself at the time anyway.

[wildREDhorse]

hehe, one was me. I was worried you had snoozed off. :o

[Fairview Horse Center]

Well that is good. Hopefully I will see a baby in the morning. Goodnight.

[Laurierace]

Thank you! The system works as long as the cam stays on.

[wildREDhorse]

You sounded exhausted!

[jennywho]

Well, I hope you didn't take any of our advice to get out there. LOL.

Maybe this is a dumb question that I missed the answer to, but has she waxed at all? Did she wax last time?

Darn, you all had me sold on getting the chemetrics for my mares this season. Now I'm not so sure.

[VirginiaBred]

Darn. No baby yet.

[Ladybug Hill]

Well the mare has not been out of the range of possibilities on Chemetrics yet. You usually see a rapid rise right before foaling. Over 200, 98% of mares do foal. It is just a tool to aid you in timing. It is helpful. Tonight is the first night I would have been anxiously watching myself if it were my mare. You have to watch all the other signs though too. Each part goes together. I will jinx myself, but I was thinking tonight or tomorrow, but I am not there looking at the mare either.

[Laurierace]

It has been a valuable tool. At least early on when she was testing low I was able to go to sleep and not worry about missing anything. The test may have had me on high alert longer than I would have been without it by judging how she looks but it also gave me more time of low alert so its probably a wash. I tell you, having this foal cam on the internet so people can help watch and I can watch myself has undoubtably been the best part though. I would have slept in my car for the last month out of worry.

[Laurierace]

I wanted to add that my Mom has been very helpful and is so happy that she can help "babysit" or in this case, baby watch even though she is so far away. That is pretty cool when you think about it.

[Laurierace]

I am going to the racetrack for awhile. The farm owners will be here but they will be in and out. Keep an eye on her until I get back around noon and call me if you see anything weird so I can alert them please.
It was obvious she had an uncomfortable night last night, the bedding was all piled up in some places and bare in other places. She isn't wolfing her breakfast as usual either. I put her outside so I could do her stall and she pretty much galloped the whole time so I brought her back in.
Full moon tonight plus an eclipse, sounds like good foaling scenario plus makes for some interesting name possibilities.

[VirginiaBred]

Full moon tonight plus an eclipse, sounds like good foaling scenario plus makes for some interesting name possibilities.

Full moon is all you need to know!!!

[Blacklabs]

She looks really uncomfortable right now

[VirginiaBred]

Well you can tell she's been stall walking (circling)............so that's a big sign.

[wildREDhorse]

Hmm... I don't think she usually lays down during the day... Wonder if this means something... But then, she's laying calmly....

[wildREDhorse]

Oh good, a human being.

[VirginiaBred]

We always leave them alone when they finally lie down to rest.

[wildREDhorse]

That's what I was thinking, I wonder why they took her out??

[Laurierace]

I am back. They were turning her out right when I got here. I don't think I am going to leave her out long but a little bit can't hurt I guess. She has watery pooh stains on her side that weren't there when I left a couple hours ago. Stay tuned.

[wildREDhorse]

She had pooped in the back of her stall, then was laying flat out with her legs out straight right before she got taken out of her stall. Must have smushed them when she was rolling.

The exercise will likely induce contractions. :)

[wildREDhorse]

Is that a goat eating her breakfast?

[Kenike]

They took her out so we could watch the fat goat :lol:

I don't understand it, either. Maybe it was a barn worker who doesn't know?

I'm betting there's a barrage of mares foaling tonight, what with the full eclipse of the full moon.....Laurie, I hope you get it tonight!!

[Fairview Horse Center]

OMG, she had a GOAT!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Just before I had to go out in the barn a few minutes ago, down she went. I come back to see something small and moving in her stall. <eek> I thought, hmmm, maybe I need more coffee.

[Kenike]

hmm, if she's got watery poop, I wouldn't leave her out too long (which you've already said). That's a good sign!

Maybe she can still get a little rest outside, though. It looks like it's nice there, and there's nothing like a nap in the warm sunshine :)

[wildREDhorse]

OMG, she had a GOAT!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

:lol: :lol: Is that what happened???

[Laurierace]

Hey a goat is better than nothing, at least I finally got something out of this ordeal. (Anybody want a goat?)

[wildREDhorse]

That goat is as wide as your mare! :eek: :lol:

[Laurierace]

Hey think I should use my last test tube or wait until later on tonight?

[wildREDhorse]

Whelp, if you're able to watch her during the day... I might wait until tonight when I wanted to sleep?

[pintopiaffe]

Wait.

If you found any pH strips... dilute milk to water 1:6 or .5: 3 (3cc water to .5 of milk) and dip... once the pH drops below 6.8 (and it will be absolutely dropped--mine are magenta on the 'high' and yellow on the low... I get excited at 'melon' colour, but we're GOING when it is yellow) you're going in 6-12 hours tops.

You're going to know though when you milk her and it dries sticky on your fingers. And clings to the collection cup like real milk. And mixes differently.

Hang in there. You are CLOSE. :sleepy:

[Kenike]

What PP said, and take a quick nap now, if you can :)

[VirginiaBred]

I hope she gets to stay down.

[Equilibrium]

Laurie,
Wow, I hope she goes for you tonight! I also hope you managed a nap today. Will be waiting for the outcome.

Terri

[Ladybug Hill]

I think using the last tube will just be an exercise in academics at this point. If she hasn't foaled by 5 or 6pm then it just might be interesting to test then to see what she is registering.

I want to correct my earlier post. 98% of mares foal WITHIN 48 HOURS after reaching 200 (if I remember correctly).

I am always curious why folks are so leery of turnout in the last few days. I think moving around is crucial for positioning the foal and much healthier for the mare. Of course, she needs to be watched continuously while out. If she is galloping about that shows she really does need the turnout.

I think we are seeing the signs--more restless, perhaps watery poop?

[Ladybug Hill]

Of course, now, she isn't moving at all! :lol::D:no:;):):winkgrin::eek:

[wildREDhorse]

Is it just me or is she looking fuller through her loin and less full in her belly? (like baby is moving on back into position)

[wildREDhorse]

2nd potty in the last couple minutes... we've had 2 poops and a pee in a short amount of time now? and a curious horse visiting out the window...