What signs do pregnant horses make?

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I'm writing a book and it has a mare in it that is seven months pregnant. What signs would she be showing, for example, rolling? Also, if you take a blood test on the mare to determine its pregnancy, how long will the results take? Thanks!
oops and I ment to ask, what activity would she show? Not signs, activity. Sorry!

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Comments on What signs do pregnant horses make? Leave a Comment

April 29, 2010

Charlie @ 1:39 am #

she would obviously be very large and on one side her stomach should dip in slightly
also you would be able to see udders forming aswell :)

Jenny @ 1:44 am #

when a mare is soon to have a foal, she will show signs such as:
-milk bag fills with milk
-milk bag gets wax build up
-her rump will become soft and jello like to touch

activity….
-not eating
-laying down and getting up frequently
-cercling the stall
-depending on the mare they can become territorial of there stall
-may become mean to other horses in the field
-kicking at her belly from discomfort of the foal moving
-looking at her stomach also from discomfort

lazyacres @ 2:05 am #

You wouldn’t normally test the blood to tell if the mare is pregnant. The common reason for a blood test is to check hormone levels to see if the mare needs supplemental hormones. It is also done before 7 months of pregnancy. However, it would take the same amount of time, which would be dependent on the lab. Usually to confirm pregnancy in the mare the Vet will palpate and/or use an ultrasound for the exam. At 7 months the mare is going to be much like a mare that isn’t pregnant. The fetus hasn’t started to grow rapidly yet(this happens in the last trimester which is just starting then). She will be hungrier, possibly grumpier and some will have some stallion like behavior(Flemming response, “talk” to other mares, sniff poo etc.) Good luck!

The Pikey...new Eastender viewer @ 3:03 am #

Firstly at 7 months she wouldn’t be anywhere near foaling. Horses are pregnant for 11 months.

And secondly, they don’t really do a lot at seven months. Her belly might be bigger (but not all mares show much) and the foal may kick inside her, but the mare won’t actually do much different from any other horse.

Yes, a blood test would determine it. I had my mare blood tested when she had got in with a neighbours colt (dirty girl!) but it was negative. Also a urine test if she was far gone enough. Or the vet can stick his hand inside and feel.

Nicolee-Louisee @ 3:12 am #

-Rolling would be a sign of activity to show the preparation of getting the foal into the correct position.
-Milk bag would fill with milk ready to feed the foal
-The milk bag would become waxed up
-Biting/kicking at the stomach
-Stomach overly large, with an appearance of a ditch
-Hind quarters would become soft in appearance and touch as any fat/muscle would be used for protecting the foal
-Aggression to people or other horses as a way of protecting both herself and the foal
-Pinning back of the ears indicates a warning for protection
-Biting, kicking out, bucking as a way to protect both herself and the foal
-Frequent laying down and getting up as well as a possible loss of appetite
-Possible the mare may excessively eat to ensure both her and the foal have enough to eat
-Running away from other horses or people – prefer to be alone and away from any activity
-Flicking of the tail or turning of the head when the stomach is touched as a warning

Hope these help!

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