Prolonged gestation.

GeeJay

We could say that mares in their natural state live on grass alone, keep very fit travelling and their instincts are stronger perhaps that is why they do it better.[/quote]
Also to add if you don?t mind that instinct as you say we have found our mares will wait for a storm you can often guarantee they will foal, it?s the natural predator instinct people forget this and putting them under lights to me will only hinder the mare and often can result in foaling problems.
I do believe we interfere way to much even in breeding our mares run with our stallion and very rarely get in foal again until we wean and even then it is a month or 2 after, they have a natural ability to switch of, only once and just recently one of our mares took in foal heat and boy did it knock her around, this time she has gone 7 months and is not in foal so her body has said she needs a rest.
We have only lost 2 foals in 15 yrs both were born dead, never have we had to pull a foal
Janet

colibanqh

If you never bring your mares in for foaling and are not present when they foal how would you know foals were born dead?

Our mares are monitored and when needed are getting help foaling... majority of them foal during the day though.

you are very welcome Fossils!

We have 8 mares due in August 2010. So far we got away with only one pouch - transmitter for Magic Breed Foaling alarm.. Yesterday I bought 3 more pouches, it will give us more peace of mind monitoring 4 mares at once, plus infrared cameras in foaling paddocks, transmitting images to a screen in the bedroom. Precaution and prevention are of utmost importance for us.

__________________

GeeJay

Actually interesting that you said this as these were the only times we in fact brought the mares in for foaling one was a TB mare and foal was defiantly dead other was a pony and she had it in the middle of the day which to us was very strange the foal wasn?t developed and she also carried it full term.

That TB mare went on to breed 2 lovely foals both born healthy and also in with the stallion the pony we didn?t breed again.

Janet

mirawee

Geejay, what is strange about a mare foaling in the middle of the day?

My last season foal was born at about 10am and I have had another mare foal at 1pm. I think it was Remaani who had all 4 or 5 mares at her place foal during the day this year as well?

I monitor my mares but they foal in the paddock and don't get harrassed. They do get used to torches though We have helped with a few mares who looked like they had trouble getting the shoulders out, but whether they would have foaled ok if we weren't there I will never know

__________________
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. (Voltaire)

colibanqh

I remember you posting 3-5 months ago that you have never actually seen a foal being born because you run your mares in natural conditions without human intervention. That's why I've asked.

__________________

GeeJay

I guess it was to us at the time as all ours normally foal before daylight

Janet

GeeJay

God Lena now your getting picky we did talk about Star once at your place, what do you want me to say.

I didn't see the birth but the foal was still in its sack dead.

Janet

colibanqh

if you were there (at birth) and ripped the sack open the foal might have lived. So you actually don't know it was BORN dead.
sorry to hijack the thread.

__________________

GeeJay

Yes you are most probably are correct but I am of the belief that these things happen for a reason and it doesn?t make me a lesser person I have done my stints in studs and witness many a forced breeding to warrant how we breed and raise our horses.
This was a lesson for us which was never interfere with what should be natural.

Bucking mad

No need to explain yourself GJ, it's interesting to hear about ppls different experiences with foaling down and the whole horse reproduction thing.

As for all the big words, ffs, if your in horse breeding and don't know what a dystocia, malpresentation or to resucitate means, then theres something definatley wrong!! Oh well Breakaway, you know next time to KeepItSimpleStupid lol

In regards to training stallions to jump dummy mares etc to collect etc, not natural maybe but without it, where would Artificial Insemmination (oops sorry big words), AI be without it?

I think, if possible, interference should be kept to a minimum whilst still being observant and alert to what is happening, so help can be offered if needed. If not, leave them alone and watch unobtrusivly.

__________________
Gone COMMANDO