Hi, horse world,

            I have a half Arab and half Thoroughbred mare of age 4 1/2.  A couple of weeks ago she escaped out of her pasture during the day and when I got home I found her in the pasture with the farm's stallion.  As I was trying to get to her I watched the stallion mount her 3 times.  We have not yet tested her to see if she's really pregnant or not.  My question is if she's really pregnant what should I be on the look out for?  Is there any thing special I need to do- special feed, special care, and when should I stop training her, when she gets fat or what?  Any advice on foaling on preparing to foal would be VERY appreciated!!!! 

        Thanks For Your Time

                       ~Flicka10

Foaling can be VERY costly and shouldn't be entered in to without planning.  I'd vote to abort the pregnancy and continue training your mare.

You may ask for the farm you keep her at to half the costs, it was their fence that failed and caused the situation.

Should you allow the mare to carry to term, you can continue to ride and trainer for a while yet. At her age, allowing the pregnancy to continue won't hurt her phyiscal developement. Other than confirming the pregnancy, there isn't much that need to be done differently. Consult your vet for a vaccination schedule for a pregnant mare. As the pregnancy progresses, your mare should be cared for in appropriate manner- good feed, fresh air, exercise. There are plenty of good publications to learn about the whole pregnancy/foal process.

Either way, finding out if she took is the first thing. Then ask about aborting with the vet. My guess ASAP is the best route and something you have consider if you have no desire for the foal. You can also ask the stallion owner if they want the baby if you don't.

             Hi guys,

               I'm the O.P. and I thank all of you who has left a message.   Um, I can afford the cost of a foal.  I keep  my three horses at my aunts house like a 1/4 of a mile behind my house so i have no board to pay.  My ex uncle used to have 12 horses there, but at the end of August he packed up and left all but three horses that I now look after along with my three.  What would happen is that I would as soon as the foal can be seperated from the mother I would sell the foal to a good owner.  Unfortuantly, I wouldn't be able to keep up with the money if I add anouther horse's mouth permently to the group.  But for about 6 months I can handle the money issue of having a foal to look after.

            Thanks For All The Help So Far

                         *Flicka10*

If you are hoping to sell the foal you might be hard pressed to find a buyer.  You state you can't afford to add another to the herd...then you can't afford a foal (honestly).

Any breeder will tell you that you need to be ready for a foal that you can't sell.  So if you can't afford another horse, you can't afford another horse!

Have you talked with your parents and your vet?

I agree with "huntseat" talk with your vet.  You want to decide the best step for your horse, the baby and you.  Whatever you decide "Good Luck and God Bless."

I know this will be one of the hardest decisions you make.

I agree with aborting.  There are too many grade unwanted horses swamping the market as it is.  Even registered good stock are bringing bargain basement prices.   If you don't have the knowledge, etc, you don't need a baby.

You didn't state what kind of stallion it is, reg or not.  I would also go after the farm for vet costs of the shots, etc for the mare.