Flicka...please look., revised & 1 pic works

[Yip]

www.facebook.com/wendy.v.pedigo/media_set?set=a.1126468994053546.1073741835.100000713688179&type=3

She looks exactly like this on the left side ex. maybe a little larger. And the same underneath, coming to a low "point."
I hope you can go here and view the pics.



4-5 wks. ago we thought Flicka was overeating the free choice hay. This week she is HUGE. The pics were taken 1/15/2016 and don't do her belly justice. It's low and pointed, and the sides are huge from midway down. There was no one to hold her, so no front pic, but she looks like a triangle from spine down the sides.

I rode her gently on Thurs. and she wasn't happy but walked a few laps of the indoor. We stopped by the open end to talk to a gal on her horse in the outdoor. I had a loose rein & was just sitting, when suddenly Flicka went up 4-5x in rapid succession, not rearing but fronts off the ground. All I can think is that she was uncomfortable.

The vet is coming out on Tues. but I'm already fearing the worst. Opinions?

[ride4fun]

Link takes me to FB and tells me the content has expired. It sounds like she might be preggo. I would suspect that first vs laminitis if she doesn't have extra padding over the ribs, spine tail head etc. (I'm sure you know the horse body condition scale and how to evaluate)

[Yip]

The link is to the album of 4 pics of Flicka. Apparently I'm the only one who can see it. I don't know how else to post the pics here from fb or my photostream. The files are always too big. I'll see if tinyurl ? can work.

Yep, I'm well versed in disproportionate fat deposits and this is not that. There is no fat anywhere or crestiness. We were just getting to know each other and work together better. My mom is in Hospice now and the one year "going home" anniversary is in two weeks. This stress has got to end. I'm not sleeping much and my hair is falling out again.

I'll let you know the verdict on Tuesday.

[Yip]

[ride4fun]

I realize if she is preggers that is not great news, especially in a boarding situation but you might be able to get a rescue to take her until the foal is weaned and have them place it, maybe only pay the actual costs of feeding her for those months. I would be leery of trusting a rescue to manage a laminitis or similar case but a cute foal would probably get lots of donations and lots of handling from volunteers and then a good home.


I can't really see her tail head, and can't see her spine at all in this one pic that now shows and I only have limited breeding experience, but even seeing the spine wouldn't tell me a lot since I don't know her normal or even what is normal for a generic TWH. But to me this one pic from the back does look like she might well be in foal. At that stage I'm sure a vet could easily tell if that is the case or not.

[DorothyB]

I have no knowledge / experience, but I'd guess pregnant first. How long have you had her?

[Yip]

I got her mid to late Sept. and she was perfectly normal looking for about 2.5 mos. The sale barn I bought her from doesn't have any stallions on site. I need to find out how long Flicka was there. The man who took her there knew the owners and doesn't think she would have been in a situation to be bred.

If it's positive, I'll need to get names & contact info for everyone, and if God is gracious to me and the sire is a reg. TWH, I might be able to reg. the baby. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but have I mentioned she's HUGE and time could be of the essence.

[Yip]

I never thought about a rescue to foal out. I didn't know it was even a possibility.

[DorothyB]

so only 4 months ago . . . isn't gestation around 11 months? if she is pregnant, she might be only 3/4 of the way along so might be too early to look for signs of milk, but sure would be nice to know. Pia looked pregnant after I had her for over a year, but she was just fat and had a hay belly.

I wish (and I'm sure you wish more!) that the vet was coming Monday morning (or sooner)

[Yip]

Her udder hasn't changed, I don't think. Except that it's kind of tucked up inside now. Her hard belly has sort of surrounded it.

[Marci]

Remember when I swore Shadow looked pregnant? Even thought I saw her belly moving.
I wouldn't worry about it until you know. The vet might know of someone who would be able to help you foal her out. And he can give you a ball park time of when to expect it. Keep us updated, but would a wee little one be a really bad thing? The first thing I looked forward to in 2011 was my brothers first grandchild. It helps to see that circle of life.

[Yip]

Yeah, it would be pretty bad. I just can't afford to board 3 for any lenght of time, not even to mention extra feed & vet bills if all goes well. If it didn't...oy!

[Jenni]

My first guess would be in foal. The mares that I have bred have all been due in May/June. They weren't showing at all in Sept, at Xmas they just looked fat but by end of Jan - they started to look like they were bred, by late March they looked like your picture. There are not udder changes until 2-4 weeks before - especially in a first time mother. Based on this pic and your description, I'd be really surprised if there isn't a foal in there, due in about 2 months or less. Keep us posted.

[Marci]

(((HUGS)))) Perhaps there is someone who really likes your mare who would care for her in exchange for the foal when its weaned? I'm hoping for a bit of a fat flabby tummy on her.

[Yip]

Thank you, all. Jenni, that kind of experience is what I was hoping someone could add. I only have to worry through one more day, then I'll know for sure. I had to feel sorry for Flicka the other day, even after she repeatedly tried to throw me, I couldn't be angry with her.

My BO has a mare in foal now but I haven't seen her to compare. They're in different barns & turnouts. I'll see Chloe on Tuesday, because the farrier works in that barn.