[inca]

I am using pool strips because I realized too late my Predict-a-Foal strips are bad (no time to order anything else online.)

Calcium is at 400. There is nothing between 400 and 1,000 on these strips.

pH is at 6.4 (and changed VERY quickly), which is the lowest reading on these strips.

Milk is not thick but is cloudy white.

She was dripping milk a bit earlier.

I am thinking she will foal today or tonight (which would fit her previous pattern of foaling.)

Any thoughts?

[Signature]

Hmmm, hard to say - how sticky is the milk? We have one mare that dripping = imminent foal (within a few hours) and one that waxes and drips on and off for 4-5 days while she creeps from 6.4 to 6.2 pH. Could be tonight, but I would guess tomorrow or the next day... sorry

[inca]

It's quite sticky.

I was actually expecting her to foal LAST night based on her last foal (didn't foal the first night after waxing but did the 2nd night after waxing.) But, that was 5 years ago. So, I guess no particular reason she would follow the same pattern. I am just hoping she foals soon because all 4 legs are extremely stocked up and have been since Saturday. She is having some difficulty moving around. I called my vet Sunday who said it was normal and not to worry.

She is 15 and she is the first foal I ever bred and raised. And this is my first time on my own for foal watch. So, I just want the foal to get here and everything to be okay.

Since 6.4 is the lowest my strips go, I don't really know if she MAY be at a 6.2.

[EquusMagnificus]

Hmm... Yeah, you really need strips that go down to 6.2. As Signature said, 6.2 seems to be "magic" number!

I wouldn't leave her, you are probably very close... 24-48 hours...

I know, sounds like an eternity when you are watching them! This year's foal watch was even harder on me because I am alone with my baby and I *had* to do everything in my power not to miss too much sleep because she won't let me nap during the day!!

[carolprudm]

Do you have a camera?

And if mare watching isn't enough
http://www.cpm24.tv/index.php?lang=en

[inca]

Nope, no camera. But I do at least have an apt. in my barn so have been sleeping in there the past 2 nights. I have also stayed home from work so far this week so I can keep an eye on her (I work 35 miles away so not possible to run home and check on her.) Today she has just been eating grass and coming in her stall to nap. She just looks at me when I go check on her.

[blackstallion2]

If she were mine, I wouldn't leave her unattended.
Safe foaling jingles!

[Sonesta]

Sounds like tonight or tomorrow for sure.

[inca]

Oh don't worry - I had no plans of leaving her unattended. I have been keeping a very close eye on her since Sunday. Checking every hour, even during the day. (She had her first foal during the day while I was at work!) I have not left my farm since Saturday afternoon. (Thank you hubby for taking care of things like going to the grocery store and getting hay.)

So, there is no question that I will be "sleeping" in the barn apartment tonight, for the third night in a row. I set my alarm for every hour and stumble out the door to check on her. And I am kind of hoping the other mares will wake me if she starts having the foal. She is across the aisle from the other 2.

I am just hoping she has it tonight so I can go back to work on Thursday.

[EquusMagnificus]

So? Is it a filly or a colt?

[VirginiaBred]

Update???

[Sonesta]

My guess is she's finally gotten to bed after a long night - either foaling or watching!

[inca]

No foal yet. I thought for sure she was going to have it because at 3 a.m. she was curling her lip, pawing a bit and rather restless. So, I stayed awake from 3 until 7. (And had only slept 45 minutes at a time before that.) At 6:15 I fed and she ate all her breakfast so decided she wasn't going to have it and turned horses out. Luckily my husband was able to stay home until 10:00 this morning so I did get to sleep from 7 until 9:45. That is the longest block of sleep I have gotten since Saturday.

My equine massage guy just left and he couldn't believe how she looked. We don't know how she hasn't had it yet.

She is still dripping milk and has edema basically everywhere.

I was getting worried because I really hadn't seen the baby move lately. But, when I put my head against her belly, I could feel activity.

When my husband checked on her at 9, she and the VERY dominant mare who generally does not play well with others were grooming each other across the fence. Weird.

[Sonesta]

It has been my experience that when they are imminent but manage to old off till morning, they will continue to hold off until dark, but then have it EARLY evening. So, stay tuned! And let us know.

[acottongim]

OMG your mare and mine must be communicating!!! I so feel your pain!!!!!

PLEASE let both of our mares go tonight at a reasonable hour (since we all know it will be about 4 hours after the birth before the humans will get any sleep!).

Good luck!

[inca]

Yeah, I am voting for nice 8 pm foalings for us both. If I could even sleep from 1-6, that would be heavenly compared to the past 3 nights!

Am already thinking that next time I breed, I will send my mare somewhere to be foaled out - LOL.

[acottongim]

I so hear you!!!!! 5 hours of solid uninterrupted sleeps sounds like HEAVEN right now!

[blackstallion2]

Fingers crossed for both mares and their watchers!

[inca]

*SIGH* Still no foal. I feel like a prisoner on my farm - LOL. Afraid to go anywhere since she has foaled during the day in the past.

Called vet just to touch base since she has been dripping milk since Tuesday morning. Basically all should be fine since she is eating and drinking and fairly bright-eyed. Nothing to do but keep waiting.

[TrueColours]

My Faux Finish mare is apparently the same and Jill thought she was going to foal - imminently - a WEEK ago! - and still no foal out of her either ...

Up and down and up and down, pushing her butt against the walls, rock hard udder, dripping milk, pawing, official due date yesterday and still no phone call or email saying she has foaled ...

... sigh ...

I kept telling Jill she should get Mare Stare in there and then we could ALL watch her and call her when she is foaling!!!

Hope today is the day inca - for your mare and mine!