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I'm lost without milk testing! WWYD?

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  • I'm lost without milk testing! WWYD?

    I know some of you don't test milk at all, and have other means of knowing when foaling is imminent. But I don't have a foal cam so my alternative to milk testing is spending needless days/weeks sleeping in the barn! I have started this already, when she waxed a couple of days ago. Now she has no wax, and I've had very little sleep. To be fair, I actually do sleep in the barn, setting an alarm for actual checks, hoping that I will wake up if she goes into labor. That is not a guarantee though, especially the longer I go with this odd set-up.

    Here's the deal, up until very recently in her pregnancy, she had been fine with me handling her udder. About a week ago, she said no way. She doesn't exactly kick, but she scoots and almost sits down. She starts doing this before my hand is even at her udder. She has had foals before, but not for me. I don't know whether to worry about her reaction to a baby nursing – right now I'm going to assume it's just human handling she's having trouble with.

    She is such a sweet mare, and very quiet, I hate to force things if she really is uncomfortable with me touching her. On the other hand, I'd give anything for a sign from a milk test, letting me know whether I am camped out at the barn prematurely. For those of you that do milk testing, would you force the issue? I'm not even sure how I would force the issue, other than holding a leg up. That type of intervention I tend to think should be reserved for after she foals, if she won't let the baby nurse. But I'm tired and feeling a little migraine-y, and could be facing another 2 to 4 weeks of this for all I know. So your suggestions are most welcome!

    PS she is at 341 days today.
    Shall I tell you what I find beautiful about you? You are at your very best when things are worst.
    Starman

  • #2
    You're not going to face another 2 to 4 weeks of this, but you need to educate yourself on the signs of imminent delivery.... Without going into too many details why don't you check the web for things like changes in her vulva, tail, back muscling, milk spots on the teets, etc. etc. At this point it's all about your mare, not whether or not you are going to have a migraine, or whatever.... Sorry to sound so tough, but it was your decision to get this mare pregnant, so now you need to live with it!

    Good luck!
    Siegi Belz
    www.stalleuropa.com
    2007 KWPN-NA Breeder of the Year
    Dutch Warmbloods Made in the U. S. A.

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    • Original Poster

      #3
      Sorry I was whiny, you're right. I have foaled out several mares, and know all the signs. She has all of them. But since I have never seen this particular mare deliver, I don't know if she has reached the ultimate stage, if you know what I mean. With my late broodmare I could see her hind end start to drop off, tail head become more prominent, etc. and still be able to say "she has a ways to go". This is all new territory. And even with my broodie with whom I was so familiar, I used the milk testing as an extra indicator. Two nights ago, this mare was all agitated, loose poop, rubbing against the walls. Today she is standing perfectly quietly laughing at me. Even if I can't do the milk testing, we will get through it. You know what they say about a watched pot!
      Shall I tell you what I find beautiful about you? You are at your very best when things are worst.
      Starman

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      • #4
        I would put a lip chain on and make her behave herself. Horses don't get to say no to anything.
        McDowell Racing Stables

        Home Away From Home

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        • #5
          Are you sure she doesn't have mastitis or some other infection that is making her uncomfortable? I would cross out any issue like that before assuming she is just misbehaving.

          Blow up a glove and tape it to the end of a stick (broom handle, etc) and rub it on her udders for awhile until she gets better about it. I did this w/ my weanling filly who was very ticklish and now she couldn't care less. Also, just rub your hand on the inside of her stifle until she stops reacting negatively, and then slowly move to her udder. Stay in one place w/ her hand until she accepts it, then move on.

          I would be concerned that her reaction could carry on to her foal so it's best to work w/ her now. And if there is god forbid an issue when baby is born and you need to get colostrum from mare, you don't want to be worrying about your safety.

          Comment


          • #6
            As Laurierace mentioned, a lip chain or a twitch should help. I put mine that get "cranky" about it in stocks. I wash their udders when foaling is imminent as well... so they need to just deal with it.
            Making Your Ambitions a Reality at Secret Ambition Stables.
            Quality Welsh Ponies and Welsh Crosses bred for sport
            Facebook Page.
            Section A and Section B Welsh Ponies at stud

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            • #7
              I also agree with the others that have talked about just getting her to deal with it. I realize she's had foals before, but the last thing I would want is her being cranky with a foal when it's trying to nurse. Normally though, mares like this tend to be OK once the foal is out and trying to nurse, especially considering that she is not a maiden. Regardless, I would still want to be schooling her that it is OK for you to touch her udder.

              We had a new mare last year that was super bad. Much like yours, and also not a maiden. My husband ended up having to hold up a front leg while I got in there to touch her udder. After a few days, we did start expressing milk to check for pH level. We just kept at it until she eventually started cooperating. The first few days certainly wasn't a picnic...but it got better.
              www.DaventryEquestrian.com
              Home of Welsh Cob stallion Goldhills Brandysnap
              Also home to Daventry Equine Appraisals & Equine Expert Witness
              www.EquineAppraisers.com

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              • #8
                I would do whatever needed to accept your handling her udder. Most mares love having their udder washed with warm water and a little soap. They soon learn that getting the smegma from between the udder feels good. From there you should be able to very gently begin to milk out a few drops.

                The one mare that never accepted my handling her udder ended up refusing to accept her foal. She was an ET surrogate and she tried very seriously to kick my head off every time I tried to do anything with her udder. I was advised to allow nature to run its course and that her maternal instincts would kick in when the foal arrived. Wrong. I ended up raising the foal as an orphan after the mare tried to kill the foal.

                So, get that mare to accept your gentle handling of her udder.
                Mary Lou
                http://www.homeagainfarm.com

                https://www.facebook.com/HomeAgainFarmHanoverians

                Member OMGiH I loff my mares clique

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                • #9
                  I agree with everyone else about getting her used to having her teats handled. It is going to be easier to force her now than when you have a foal on the ground that needs colostrum. I would speak to your vet about even getting sedation if needed, but start with a twitch and holding up a front leg. Even take a long whip and just rub her belly with it first if she is the kind of mare that will kick straight out at you. This way you can initially be at a safe distance. Once she gets used to that you can then start handling her teats with your hands.

                  Good luck!!
                  Read about my time at the Hannoveraner Verband Breeders Courses:
                  http://blumefarm.com/hannoveranercourse2011.html
                  http://blumefarm.com/hannoveranercourse2012.html

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