Waiting

Pav · Postby **Pav** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:44 am

Hi all. My mare is now "officially" overdue (by a day or two) and the anticipation is just killing me. It's my first mare and her first foal, so it's been somewhat of a learning process for us all. It's been hard for me to think about too much else, including work. It's almost like having another baby. Any advice on keeping your sanity and maintaining patience as the waiting continues? (I'm sure it'll get easier in future seasons.) Thanks.

Bondama · Postby **Bondama** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:59 am

Hi Pav, this is something I'm all too familiar with, having just started a small breeding program myself! Our first crop is hitting the ground.

Our very first baby was a stillborn filly (aborted) in November. That was a horrible day! The letdown was overwhelming. Our second baby was also a little early, but otherwise fine. We sweated over this one after experiencing the loss of the first. We watched this mare like a hawk, looking for every physical change, every mood swing, etc. Kind of silly in retrospect really.

The only thing I can tell you is that what you're feeling is normal. And yes, it will lessen to some degree over time, but I would venture to say never completely. We're now waiting for foal #3 who is overdue and I look at this mare daily for a sign. JUST GIMME A SIGN! <lol>

There are probably a good many people here who can commiserate, and will tell you that anxiety is just a part of foaling season you'll have to learn to live with. Good luck and relax!

B

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:53 am

Pav-it doesnt get easier in future seasons

I am still anxiously awaiting our first foal of the season which was due 1/26 and now I have another mare who is due.
Hope your mare foals soon!

Gerry

Savana Star Dubois · Postby **Savana Star Dubois** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:10 pm

My first foal was absorbed by the mare and the second time with a different mare I was a basket case wanting to have the vet check every other moment :lol:

I am now waiting for the 3rd foal from my mare and she is always late 348 and 351 days and now I am on day 347..Even though the mare has had no problems in the past I jump everytime the phone rings...she foaled 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM...her first foal born in the morning the farm called me at work..I drove 3.5 hours that night and arrived at the farm at 10 PM...the second foal I went to see 3 weeks later

clh · Postby **clh** » Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:28 am

Due to our sucky weather I still haven't gotten to KY to see our Lion Heart filly and I am really bummed about it.

The second mare down there is due any day so I thought might as well wait until she foals and see them both

PLUS - I am waiting on the birth of 2nd grandbaby which is due any day! Can hardly explain to the kids "sorry I can't hang around here for the birth of my grandbaby - I've got to go see my grandhorse" - somehow I'm thinking that probably wouldn't fly!

Good luck - waiting is never any fun.

Pav · Postby **Pav** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:40 am

Day 350... still waiting.

serenarider · Postby **serenarider** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:01 am

Hang in there Pav. They can go to a year

Savana Star Dubois · Postby **Savana Star Dubois** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:45 am

Pav I know the feeling..foal was born on the cusp of 352 and 353 days about midnight.

Mood Swings · Postby **Mood Swings** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:07 am

Pav - don't feel so bad, there was a gestational record set in Australia this year. "Corona Star" a thoroughbred foaled after 445 days :shock:

! Plus a client at our farm had to wait 362 days for their handsome colt!

Gerry · Postby **Gerry** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:52 am

Pav...I am sure you are getting close the mare here just foaled at 367 days! you must be close now

Rushtawin · Postby **Rushtawin** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 7:55 am

Waiting must be tough, but it appears that this year's crop seems to be happy and healthy so far for the most part! Good luck!