>>>>How did you know she was ready to give birth? Do you have a baby monitor or >>>>did you just stay up all night?!
No baby monitor. I knew yesterday was the day for a few reasons. One, the best way I've found to predict the day of the foal's birth is to check the opacity of the milk a couple of times per day. As foaling approaches, I get a drop or two of milk 2-3 times per day onto a piece of black plastic - something like an old film canister works well. Within 12 or so hours of delivery, the milk will turn from clear to creamy when you look at it on a black background - it will only show clearly on a dark background. Of the eight foals born here, it's only missed for one. When I was considering breeding a few years ago, Anneliese told me a lot of the signs to watch for. She told me that if the mares really trust their person, they will allow some respectful and quiet assistance. She's right. She also told me that if I know the behaviors of my mares, they will let me know when the time is near - the day of foaling, their routines will change. Each mare's changes will be different - some may eat more, some may eat less...some may act newly energized, almost excited, while others may be more subdued. Whatever, there will be a change, so you have to know YOUR mares. Maja allowed us to witness the birth of her first filly, Kola, two years ago. I'm sure she could have delivered her just fine, but Cary gave a little help much like last night, hoping to ease her pain just a little. Yesterday, not only did her milk change, but she was acting more restless, occasionally biting at her sides, etc. I have been sleeping in the camper next to the paddocks, so last night, I dozed, and looked out the window every few minutes. About 1:30am, she did something she hadn't done in the other nights I've been checking in on her: she came to the end of the paddock near the camper and stared at my window. I had been hesitant to disturb her, thinking I'd go out only if she needed help, but I got the distinct feeling she was thinking, hey, I'm having a baby here, where's my help? Cary was sleeping in the camper too, so we pulled out lawn chairs beside her paddock, and she proceeded to go into labor with us there. I really think she was reassured by our presence. Karen Thomas, NC
