Posted 2007-04-03 8:37 PM (#58417) Subject: Will a Maiden Mares foal be smaller?
Member
Posts: 44 Location: Montana
Ok, so I have been in the horse business for many years but have never breed a mare. I now have the opportunity to and would like all the advice/help I can get. I am breeding a 10yr old TB maiden to a wonderful Andalusion stallion. Both are horses over 16hh and are very healthy.
I have heard people say that a mares first foal is smaller but I have seen some very large first foals and just wanted to know what people have experienced. I am really looking forward to the whole process and learning all about this.
My Mare was bread-using AI at the right time and we are now just weighting for the 13 to see if she is pregnant. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
Posted 2007-04-03 8:54 PM (#58420 - in reply to #58417) Subject: RE: Will a Maiden Mares foal be smaller?
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
My appys first baby was huge. It took my vet and his wife to pull her and she tore quite a bit. Her second (this year) was smaller and she didn't need any help. Of course because her first was so big and needed help, I didn't get any sleep for a month. I was up all night waiting and she finally had it at 11am right after getting her feet trimmed.
Posted 2007-04-04 1:27 AM (#58437 - in reply to #58417) Subject: RE: Will a Maiden Mares foal be smaller?
Location: KY
Hi Nancy
My first foal was born about an hour after I left one morning for a three day business trip which could not be rearranged. My horse pal told me she would foal while I was gone; and she did. Her baby was tiny but she had not had a foal in several years. My pal said that was normal because the uterus is smaller; that the next would be bigger; and so it was. The tiny foal grew like a weed; more room out than in. He also made sure I didn't over feed the mare during her pregnancy; she got big but not fat, and then after the baby came we put the feed to her. She is due now any day and I want a girl, but will be happy with a healthy baby. So in my rambling way, I was told that first babies are smaller than second babies.
Posted 2007-04-04 4:29 AM (#58440 - in reply to #58417) Subject: RE: Will a Maiden Mares foal be smaller?
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Mooers Forks, NY
It is my experience that yes, frequently a foal from a maiden mare may be a bit smaller at birth but they usually catch right up! I don't think by any means that is a hard and fast rule - just something that does seem to happen fairly frequently. Sounds like a very exciting cross - best of luck to you for a beautiful, healthy foal!!!!
Posted 2007-04-04 12:07 PM (#58471 - in reply to #58417) Subject: RE: Will a Maiden Mares foal be smaller and other help
Member
Posts: 44 Location: Montana
Ok so it sounds like more of a genetics thing. If the genes say it should be a big horse it will.
Another thing is if someone might know of a good book to help me prepare myself for the whole process of the care and foaling out stages. I am working very closely with my vet who is very patient with me and all my questions, but would like to do some outside research on my own. All my vet books give a brief overview but nothing for the new breeder. Yes this may open up allot of discussion on what is a good book but I have to ask. Thanks
Posted 2007-04-05 4:43 PM (#58605 - in reply to #58417) Subject: RE: Will a Maiden Mares foal be smaller?
Member
Posts: 28 Location: Mooers Forks, NY
There is a book by the name of either "The Complete Book of Breeding & Foaling" or "The Complete Book of Foaling" (for the life of me I can't remember which it is) It is a very good reference. However, don't scare yourself with it! It does touch on the many things that can go wrong and what to do so read those things and get familiar but don't let it panic you. There is also a good group called foalwatch (I believe that it is a yahoo group but not positive) with lots of good information available. You are doing the right thing - keep a good line of communication with your veterinarian. If there is a breeder in your area that you can get in touch with, that might be of help as well (if it is a breeder recommended by your veterinarian, all the better) If you have a specific question, you are welcome to email me privately anytime and I will try my best to answer it if I can. I own a breeding farm and have plenty of "in the trenches" experience!
Posted 2007-04-05 6:08 PM (#58613 - in reply to #58417) Subject: RE: Will a Maiden Mares foal be smaller?
Member
Posts: 44 Location: Montana
Thanks for the tittles. I have assisted in a few births and we did have to pull a foal once with the vet. Defiantly not fun! I don't let things get me worried I just want to be ready. I already gave the vet a heads up that I will be calling him. He laughed and said it was a good thing he only lives 5minuts away. First we have to see if she is even pregnant. This is almost worse than X-Mass.
Posted 2007-04-06 10:42 AM (#58655 - in reply to #58417) Subject: RE: Will a Maiden Mares foal be smaller?
Veteran
Posts: 225 Location: Urbana,MD
I have a TB mare that was a madien.She is 16 hds.I bred her to a 16.3 hand TB/clyde cross.Her foal was small(the filly could walk underneth her moms belly)Any way this filly just turned 4 years old and is only 15.3 ! Kinda disapointing to me since I am 5'8 and like a taller horse.I would of thought the foal would of been at least 16 hds considering the parents height.This filly is very stocky and almost looks like a quarter horse. Something I really wasn't looking to get.Both parents are built very uphill and leggy.She may stll sprout up at the withers (or at least I am hoping)Her mother didn't finish out until she was 6 years old.So maybe she is a slow grower.
Just another senerio...Another tb mare at the same barn I was at was bred to the same stallion.This mare was smaller then mine.Standing only 15.3 It was her 2nd foal.Her filly was huge! at one year she was almost 15.3 now as a 4 year old is pushing 17 hds.Go figure?
Will a Maiden Mares foal be smaller?
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