IS OUR MARE ELLA PREGNANT?
When we first got Ella back in October, it was mentioned that she might be pregnant as she came from a breeding facility and did have a foal prior to being rescued (the foal was rescued as well). The option of having her pregnancy tested was given, but I didn't think it necessary at the time. I really didn't think she would be pregnant having just had a foal. Me having little to no experience, could only imagine that she was exposed to a stud and possibly 'covered' once and the chances of it taking were minimal. I wouldn't think she would have been exposed more than once under the circumstances (the breeder having quickly re-homed, gotten ride of, whatever the correct term is, of her and two other mares that were potentially in foal on such short notice to my understanding). Except, sometimes it only takes one time and unlike others who have trouble becoming pregnant or in foal she may have taken right away.
I thought that perhaps if they assumed the Mares were in fact in foal (pregnant) they would hang on to them until the babies were born and weaned. But, then again with the video I just recently posted 'Colt Reunited with Mom' I should now at least know better. The foal had been sent the the meat plant at 6 months old, then fortunately was rescued by the couple whom had rescued the foals Mom from the Horse Auction where the two were separated. The foal now has strangles from his exposure to the plant at such a young age and is being treated before he can be in the same paddock/pasture as his Mom.
When we met Ella it was obvious that she was a beautiful horse that deserved a second or third chance at life. After being a track horse to then become a brood mare and with the threat of the Auction having loomed over her and the other two before being taken in by a kind and caring couple, Jesse and I just wanted to give her a chance at being a companion and pleasure horse. No races to run and no babies to make, there are far too many unwanted, neglected horses out there already. 30,000 horses at the Meat Plant the Colt was rescued from and considering the Colt was a mere 6 month old proves it's a fact that no more babies are needed. I understand people fall in love with their horses and the great temperament, disposition and conformation - but the same as dogs, if you take your time and search places like Bear's Valley Rescue, Dare to Dream Horse Rescue, or Last Chance Horse Rescue, perhaps at the Auctions,(if you are an experienced horse person) I am positive you will find a horse to love.
That being said Jesse fell in love with Ella immediately. We decided to take our chances, it wouldn't be Ella's fault if she were pregnant and if she's in need of a home, got a great temperament and was what we were looking for in a companion and mount then she's the horse we wanted to go with. She reminded Jesse and I of the Stable owners Mare who was so kind and gently back at the barn. So that's what we did, we went ahead and got her and as time went by I realized I wasn't thinking about it much and I certainly wasn't hoping for it but I was really grateful for and impressed with Ella. She is such a kind, sweet horse and is a pleasure to be around that has progressed so quickly with her training.
Three months have gone by and the other two mares were tested and are in fact in foal, it's been confirmed. Last week or so our Trainer said she has a feeling or thinks it is quite possible that Ella is in fact pregnant and as of this morning the owner of the Stable sent me a message as well indicating that she too is about 90% positive Ella is pregnant having had a good look at her this morning without her blanket on (the way her belly is sitting) I did the math and if she did take she would be approximately 9 months pregnant now and due beginning of April. From what I have researched Mare's don't start showing until they are 9 months and then proceed to put weigh on weight up until the end of the 11 month. This would be Ella's 5th or 6th foal possibly?
I've set an appointment with the Vet to come out and do a pregnancy test as well as a perform a general check-up on Ella. He can then inform me based on the facts whether or not I will need to have any vaccines administered or supplements added to her feed. I can also get his expert advise at this point (providing Ella's results are positive and she is in foal) as to whether or not he or she would consider it safe for Ella and foal if I continued to lightly rider her. With the go ahead I intend to ride her up until the very last month (providing her belly isn't too big and even then if it is perhaps bareback) and then will resume light riding 6 - 8 weeks after she gives birth. It's important to wait so that her body, pelvic and hips, stomach muscles etc can heal and recover from the delivery and the foal is strong and mobile enough to join.
If all goes well, approximately two months down the road (again, providing she is in fact pregnant - I may just be making her fat with the winter feed and the excessive blanketing) I will ride her in the indoor arena and have the foal present so that it can follow us, or run around and feed when it needs to. This will help keep Ella in shape and the training that's been put into her sharp in her mind. I think it's a good way to keep the foal active and curious as well, exposure should help eliminate spooking and hopefully make training down the road a lot easier.
I took a few pictures but I myself can't see a difference, from some angles it does look like her belly is dropping lower and this would be the month were it would start to. I've included a picture of when the previous owners got her (pic from October) as well as one from December 30, 2012 and one from yesterday evening, January 3, 2012.
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| Beginning of October, 2012 |
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| December 30, 2012 |
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| January 3, 2013 |
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| January 3, 2013 |
If she is pregnant and does have a baby, I hope that it is healthy and that she has an easy labor. I have no doubt she is an awesome Mom and I'm sure it would be an adorable baby. It certainly would be an experience I can't say that I have ever had before, or ever thought would be possible. How many people are fortunate enough to experience having a foal or baby horse? I am fortunate too as the previous owner and the Stable owner as well as the Trainer have all been so helpful and reassure therefore we are lucky to have a great support group. With the help of these three I don't feel nearly as scared, terrified or nervous as I did the first time it occurred to me this could actually be happening.
Knowing we didn't plan to breed her, that we didn't breed her and there is a chance she isn't in foal or she could have potentially lost the foal (she still might, we are not in the clear even during the foaling etc) If she is pregnant and does have a baby horse, I will accept it as a blessing or gift and not beat myself up and feel guilty over all the unwanted horses as this was entirely out of our hands. With that perspective and I can be excited and anxious, even maybe a tad bit happy? Really, who doesn't love tiny horses?
I will continue to do research on Mare's in foal, foaling and Riding your Pregnant Mare etc and should have a definite answer by end of next week as to what we can expect.
Here I found a picture of a girl riding her Mare with Foal in toe... seems fine to me
