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jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 612
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 - 1:59 pm: |   |
Hi All, As the foaling date of Margot comes near it dawns on me it will be ME and ME alone who is going to be with her. Ofcourse as I've now lived alone for three years that should have been clear to me from the moment I bred her so please don't laugh and have patience.
How many of you are alone when your foals arrive? I've got plenty experience [about 35 foals] but my ex was always in the background for support and help.
Everything is put in order for the lady, big clean foaling box with one side that will slide totally open[in case she feels her backend needs to be next to a wall] breeder alert set up etc.
Any extra advices which are handy when you are on your own?[vet will ofcourse arrive with NOT normal birth but Margot stays a lot calmer with only me] Anything [apart from wine] to calm my nervs?
Thanks Jos |
Wiley Gillmor
Member
Username: wgillmor
Post Number: 95
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 - 2:46 pm: | |
Surely in Basse-Normandie it should be Calvados?
(Sorry, no help, no experience, just smart-ass remarks.)
Wiley |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1975
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 - 4:17 pm: | |
Jos all of my foals were born out in pasture while I was snoring away in bed . I was lucky and never had any problems. Sounds like you are ready for about anything. When is the due date? |
Elizabeth Kaufman
Member
Username: ekaufman
Post Number: 448
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 - 4:56 pm: | |
Hi Jos,
I'm alone with a young child for everything I do, including foaling. Do your best, forgive yourself the rest, and plan to be tired for a few days.
Good luck, and stay in touch with your remote support team.
- Elizabeth |
Terri
Member
Username: ttownzen
Post Number: 21
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 - 5:43 pm: | |
Hey Jos, when all else fails, I count on my dogs to be there with me. They always listen and are very concerned if I am. Sometimes if I listen really hard I think they even give me very good advice. Good luck with the birthing. Can't wait to see pics. |
Suzanne Reed
Member
Username: sureed
Post Number: 95
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 - 7:17 pm: | |
Jos,
Sounds like you are well experienced and fully prepared with a back-up team in place. We are all rooting for you and can't wait to see the pics of your new foal.
Suzanne |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 3517
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 - 10:11 pm: | |
Oh Jos, you are too funny! You probably have more experience than many of the vets! Keep the wine handy just in case. Maybe you and Margot can share a little?I'm sure you have your foaling kit handy and Margot will have not problems anyway. If you get nervous and in a panic, call me and I'll tell you which variety of wine to open.
I wish the timing worked out a little better so I could be there as originally planned. This way, you get to do all the work and we'll get to see a beautiful, healthy mare and foal. |
jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 614
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, Mar 31, 2008 - 3:59 am: | |
Thanks so very much you all. Support and a laugh keeps the panic away  [and Wiley being Dutch I prefer whisky or your very nice bourbon if wine doesn't do the trick]
Diane mid april is to cold in the fields and for a first foal I do not want to risk mummy to not want to share it with me, so I will go where she goes for a while.
Thanks Elizabeth you give me confidence and the dog idea is very good Terri,though I am sure my poor Dobermann will be the most upset of us all.
Suzanne experienced and confident is alas not always the same so I needed your support.
Sara I am sure you would advise me to open just a 'headache wine' so I will keep the Champagne waiting till you arrive
Margot is just as Libby only the best will do for her so it will have to be a GOOD wine. Hope you will see two foals and mothers[yes support team be prepared in June I start whining again!] but then as I am very tired you can train Bartock and Grasse for me which I suppose is more work than 'helping' the girls with their foals.
Thanks very much everyone now just wait until april 14 th[or whatever Margot decides!]
Jos |
jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 654
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008 - 7:38 am: | |
Hello all, still no foal and an enormous Margot[and a firsttime baby]
The vet started talking about inducing labour but according to the articles at HA she isn't even really over due[250 days being still normal] and as his only reason seemed to be 'to not get a big foal' and he mentioned ofcourse he would have to do something to get her to produce milk[which is now starting to come but this conversation was a few days ago!] I decided to be an obedient HA supporter and listen to Dr.O [through his articles]
A little mental support [like long overdue very healthy small foal stories?] would be appreciated very much .
If nobody has time for such nonsense please keep your fingers crossed for something in between a mini and a TB foal for Margot?
Jos |
KATHLEEN WHEAT
Member
Username: kathleen
Post Number: 783
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008 - 9:05 am: | |
Jos,
My mare Caprice (arab/peruvian paso cross) was due on April 1 and she showed signs that she was going foal on that date, then she said April Fool and guit showing signs. She carried for the full year, was huge with foal, and on April 26 produced a fairly small filly with no complications with the foaling. Her name was Annie and she was one of the two we had to put down last September. She was 19 years old and she lived a happy and fairly healthy full life.
Kathleen |
jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 656
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008 - 9:44 am: | |
Thanks Kathleen just what I needed to hear! 19 happy years I can live with that![as soon as they are 19 I want another 10 I am sure but that's far away]
Jos |
Ann
Member
Username: dres
Post Number: 1781
Registered: 10-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008 - 9:46 am: | |
Jos, i had a broodie that would go 364 days every foal.. her babies were large but not an issue for her... the odds are in your favor for a beautiful / uneventful foaling evening... I can't wait for photos..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 3549
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008 - 10:20 am: | |
Jos, I don't think I ever had a mare that actually foaled right on time. Mikey's dam went a full year with him, and although he was huge, she had not problems. Her other foals were always late, but average in size. Don't be too worried. I'm sure Margot will do just fine. Although we all hear "horror" stories, problem births are really quite unusual over all. |
jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 657
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008 - 12:48 pm: | |
Thanks guys I needed that.
All my neighbours by now have visited looked worried and scared me to death before offering me wine to get on track again
Strange though the other family of horses I bred were always about a week early and if not the foal was huge[that's why I get frightened I suppose] So Margot is just an 'ordinary' mare and I am not used to that.
Jos
PS Perhaps they should offer their advise to Margot but she isn't that fond of strangers interfering and even wine would not change her mind |
Terri
Member
Username: ttownzen
Post Number: 22
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008 - 1:58 pm: | |
My mares always preferred beer. I had a narrow TB maiden mare go 366 days four years ago. Most perfect(big)WB baby I ever had. Mare foaled out so fast I almost missed it. Good luck, and we can't wait for pics. |
Karen Nolte
Member
Username: morg1
Post Number: 170
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008 - 5:50 pm: | |
I had a maiden mare go 357 days last year, and the foal was still what I would consider small (probably average for a maiden). I know it is frustrating, but hang in there. I've been told that if they go late it is usually a colt. That was true in my case, but not sure how much truth there is to that. Keep us informed. I'm waiting on 2 foals myself this year. One is at 340 days and the other 327 days, so I'm hanging in there with you and biting my nails too. |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 2068
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008 - 5:53 pm: | |
Hi Jos I had a maiden mare go 1 yr. and 5 days. She had a nice little filly with no problems
Good Luck |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 20528
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 24, 2008 - 7:00 am: | |
Hello jos,
Let me enter a bit more strongly against induction without a clear indication and why prolonged birth is not a good indication. Induction was all the rage with one of our local veterinarians when I first began practice. I would hear story after story of severe problems with these poor guys and it took a few more years before research revealed why. The endocrinological events associated with equine birth are slow to develop and develop together. The result of this is that several important systems of the foal are not ready for the real world until a day or two prior to the actual event, maybe most importantly surfactant production in the lungs. Induced foals is a iffy proposition and does require some preparation of the mare.
The only time I get concerned about prolonged gestation is if the mare or fetus appear to be having trouble or the mare is on fescue grass. Otherwise I just don't associate problems with prolonged gestation. Current record in my practice for a healthy foal birth with no donkey heritage: 13 months.
DrO |
jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 662
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 25, 2008 - 3:58 pm: | |
Well my story has taken a strange turn. I am ashamed to admit that for the last seven to 10 days Margot got increasingly difficult to handle, until finally I wans't even able to lock her up in her foaling box[she threw all of her 700kg to the walls etc.] And in the fields she managed to demolish the electric fences and put to her delight and my horror all[7!]horses including herself and Akacja the highly pregnant arab in one field[ofcourse at 4 in the morning during a horrible rain] I gave in and called my ex in tears he hopped in the car and was here about 10 hours later.
I was struggling again to get all horses in their different fields and preferably boxes, Johan saw the uproar and behaviour[Margot had given me a big blue bump on the head and was just throwing herself to the door.] He opened the door and yelled at me that the stupid animal was going to kill me and if she insisted on staying out in the rain she could, and that I was to call the studfarm next morning and order them to come and get her asap[I was ordered to call because my french is better]
And that's what I did... She arrived totally stressed out but was locked in firm and calmly next to another pregnant victim handled by the head of the stable and a groom.
And now we wait until the foal is born over there.
I don't know what happened it always is a difficult horse but she was much calmer since she was pregnant up to the last weeks, when I had to admit I wasn't able to handle her anymore...
On the bright side : they totally agree Dr.O and are calmly waiting until the lady wishes to foal, with very experienced vets at her service.
Sorry guys I seem to have wasted your time
Jos |
Fran C
Member
Username: canter
Post Number: 1462
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Apr 25, 2008 - 4:35 pm: | |
Jos, there's no shame in admitting that one needs help. You did what was best for you and Margot and potentially for the foal as well.
These discussions are never a waste of time...it's not likely I will ever be in the position of "foal watch", but I still enjoy reading the threads and learning from them.
Looking forward to good news when the baby is born! |
Elizabeth Kaufman
Member
Username: ekaufman
Post Number: 505
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, Apr 26, 2008 - 12:48 am: | |
Jos,
Well done-- you and your horses are all safe, which was your priority. I give you a lot of credit for your persistence. I hope this mare does not give the foal her temperament or behavior. She sounds very difficult, and one that might be dangerous in protecting a newborn as well. Much better to have her somewhere where they will have the means to restrain her if the foal needs attention. Pictures when the baby is born please! |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 2079
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Apr 26, 2008 - 6:23 am: | |
Jos one of the signs of a good, smart horse person is knowing when you are over matched and seeking help.
Looking forward to pics also |
jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 664
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, Apr 26, 2008 - 3:45 pm: | |
Thanks for all the support. I needed it.
I will post foal pictures as soon as it is born.
Just for information perhaps it is of use to someone: The mare is born with me always handled nice and fairly consequent[bit spoiled as all my animals] Her mother was a very gentle mare her halfbrother is a sensitive but gentle horse very willing to work. She was trained under the saddle[professionally at 4 years old for half a year and though she was a boxwalker and easily stressed she did well under the saddle. Came home because this family matures late and stayed home and unbred until 9 years of age because she has difficulty acceptin and coping with stress confinement etc.
Last year a stallion with a very good character[jumped Grand Prix for years with only one eye very laid back when stabled and visited by strangers very easy going and confident under the saddle]was available at the Haras where I sent her now too, and I gave it a try as only her father is known for difficult characters[115 foals 15 Grand Prix two at the Olympics in Athens and the rest of them you 'can't ride'] and she is impeccable in health pedigree and ability to jump.
I will keep you posted as to how she does in a professional environment and what the foal will be.
Thanks again for the support
Jos |
Imogen Bertin
Member
Username: imogen
Post Number: 1102
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, Apr 27, 2008 - 3:00 pm: | |
Hi Jos
I was wondering while looking at my own pregnant mare how Margot was getting on today. You can never tell how they are going to be, and even mares that have foaled out quietly before can behave oddly.
Today, my lady won't be separated from her companion's sight for even a moment. And yet the other day I thought she was starting to want to be on her own, the way they do, even though she has about six weeks yet to go.
Well done you for recognising a situation beyond your control. Best of luck!
Imogen |
Suzanne Reed
Member
Username: sureed
Post Number: 97
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, Apr 27, 2008 - 6:11 pm: | |
Well done, Jos. Good call on you and your ex's part and nice that he is someone you can call on and that he still has concern for your welfare. Sending her off should feel like you have stopped hitting yourself on the head with a hammer. Hope you are relaxing some and just waiting for the call that your new foal has been born. Best wishes for a lovely and agreeable foal. The father sounds wonderful.
Suzanne |
jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 666
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 28, 2008 - 3:49 am: | |
Thanks so very much for all the nice reactions. It was hard to send her away,I was there when she was born and I know her well enough to be certain she is not mean but really panics[know the feeling perhaps that's why I always forgive her so easily whenever bumped and blue again]
But the studfarm told me that after she initially was totally upset she has now calmed down[still no foal]
They are however sure the foal will arrive tonight or tomorrow because 'the moon changes'???? I heard someone else over here mention the same idea anyone heard of this? Can we throw all our alarms away and just look at the moon?
Jos |
jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 668
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 11:13 am: | |
Margot has a foal! She adores the little one and does very well at the Haras.
I could jump out of my skin from pure delight!  
Jos |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 3569
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 12:02 pm: | |
Jos, I'm so happy for you!!! I guess we'll be having to buy YOU a bottle of champagne now. And, this affirms your decision to send Margot to the Haras. She just must be one of those horses that like some people need more structure in their lives.
It could also be that her hormones combined with some preliminary birthing cramps, were sending her over the edge. (Many of us who are mothers can relate!)
CONGRATULATIONS! Great looking foal. A filly or colt?? |
cp
Member
Username: cpacer
Post Number: 503
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 12:27 pm: | |
beautiful!!! |
jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 669
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 12:34 pm: | |
Forgot to mention it a filly!!
Jos
PS Sara, you know I am a great fan of your bourbon.... Champagne gets ordinary over here and after these last weeks I could use something stronger than champagne |
Fran C
Member
Username: canter
Post Number: 1467
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 1:00 pm: | |
Beautiful little filly, Jos. Congratulations and I'm so glad everything has worked out for you and Margot. Looking forward to more pictures of your little cutie! |
Suzanne Reed
Member
Username: sureed
Post Number: 98
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 1:56 pm: | |
Gorgeous! Congratulations.
Suzanne |
Elizabeth Kaufman
Member
Username: ekaufman
Post Number: 512
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 2:05 pm: | |
Absolutely lovely. Congratulations! |
LL
Member
Username: frances
Post Number: 607
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 3:20 pm: | |
Beautiful mother and baby - I love Margot's doting expression! |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 3572
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 3:21 pm: | |
O.K. some Jack Daniels Black label, or maybe Wild Turkey coming right up! |
Chris
Member
Username: stevens
Post Number: 533
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 4:27 pm: | |
Please, it's celebration. Bookers or Knobb Creek. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 3575
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 5:20 pm: | |
I don't know those brands. Are the from KY? I should ask Lonnie; I'm not really the Bourbon drinker! I do like a good Old Fashioned now and then, or a little "neat" over ice. I'll have to send Lonnie to the store so I can try them! |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 2098
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 8:50 pm: | |
Congratulations Jos. Beautiful baby girl. |
Jo Ann Widner
Member
Username: jowidner
Post Number: 92
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 9:16 pm: | |
Great news! And a beautiful foal! Congratulations. |
Terri
Member
Username: ttownzen
Post Number: 23
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 - 11:24 pm: | |
Congratulations Jos! She's just beautiful. |
Imogen Bertin
Member
Username: imogen
Post Number: 1104
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 1, 2008 - 2:19 am: | |
Well done Margot! When will you bring them home Jos? Here it's usually about 3 days and then the foaling place needs the box for another mare...
It's great that you're local to the stud, but you will need another person to get them from the horsebox to the paddock or box at home, of course...
I am quite sneaky, I arrange a list of people in advance to help me for the first 10 days when I box them at night and lead them to and from the field and then once the foal is born, I actually have a rota for help. (I give them all a present afterwards). People love foals, but getting horse-sensible people to help when you are on your own can be a challenge!
Imogen |
jos
Member
Username: paardex
Post Number: 672
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 1, 2008 - 4:03 am: | |
Thanks Sara! Lonnies drinks were always fine!
Imogen we have decided to leave Margot at the studfarm. They have excellent people and excellent accomodation[my gelding just came back from being trained there for 5 months and did very well]
As you say at home I will frequently need help [if only to learn the foal how to behave] and there IS no professional help available at my place.
As the studfarm[they already said this last year]has no problems with Margot they warned me though it is not a suitable horse to work with[and handling her baby needs some cooperation of the mother]on my own so this time I gave in.
The foal will be sent to me when weaned and Margot will live at the 'Haras Brullemail'
I found it difficult to give her up as she is born with me but need to admit this is a wise decision and I can go see her as often as I want.
Apart from that they have stables group stables and 120 ha[360 acres] of grass all with suitable wood or electric fences.
Soo from now on I will be an Arab breeder and just tend to the growing up of the fillies[needles to say the males will stay at the Haras too!]
Jos
PS In a few weeks I will start bothering everyone again about foaling out my poor little Akacja at the moment already resebling a soccerball on four tiny legs! |
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