Guess Ella's Due Date!

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Everything Equine ~ Ella's Due Date

About Rain Rot

Everything Equine ~ About Rain Rot

Ella in Foal?!?

I went out to the barn on Sunday, it was a snowy, cold day. Brought Ella in for a good grooming and to be turned out in the arena so she could warm up and stretch out. She was her usually self, quiet for the most part with a bit of attitude (that I honestly don't mind, its nice she's a bit sassy). She had been wearing her rain sheet to keep the snow off, but as I noticed she was a bit sweaty around the shoulders and neck area I decided against putting it back on. She's generating plenty of internal heat, whether it be hay or foal I am not entirely sure. So, for these reasons she is not wearing her blanket. 

Plus, I happened to notice how round she was. I am still not 100% sure, but I do know that 'if' she were in foal, then her due date is around the end of this month (March) or beginning of April. 

I have been trying to check for signs that she is, such as: 

• Swollen udders
• Dropped belly
• Wax on nipples
• Dripping of Milk
• Milk streaks down hind legs
• Change in attitude (restless or tired)

It's extremely hard to tell by just looking, especially as I only just got her in October - so this is our first winter together and I'm not familiar with whether she typically gets a "hay belly" or not. Nor am I familiar with how she carries a foal. 

She's had a couple foals in the past and this isn't exactly 'new' to her ~ BUT it's certainly 'new' to ME! I could pay to have a vet check, but from what I understand the vet would confirm "yes" or "no" that she is to have a foal and wouldn't be any better at guessing the exact due date. I have the dates of when she had her last foal and when she would have been 'covered' etc. So, she is either going to have one or not and if I wait and see ~ the question will answer itself. It's the waiting and not being certain part that is hard! 

Here is a BEFORE picture(s) and a NOW picture(s). The before pictures are from the previous owner who rescued her from going to the Meat Buyers along with two other Mares (who have been confirmed by the vet to be in foal). They were taken in October of 2012 and the now pictures were taken yesterday, March 17, 2013. This might help determine whether it's typical for a Mar to put on that much wait in a 6 month time frame. 

Before (3 pictures) October 2012:

Now (3 pictures) March 2013:

I could have a vet check, but from what I understand the vet would confirm "yes" or "no" that she is to have a foal and wouldn't be any better at guessing the exact due date. I have the dates of when she had her last foal and when she

Also, I took a picture of her udders, when I checked (to me) it appears as though there is wax on her nipples. Might not be able to see what I'm talking about (white dots) in the picture clearly, so I have also included two sample pictures from the internet that are clearer so you can look at them and see what I'm referring to and then go back and look at Ella's.

Ella's Udders (2 pictures): 

Internet Sample (2 pictures):

As you can see it is hard to tell. I'm not sure, but am keeping a very close eye on her and am lucky to have others doing the same as well. 

Here are some MORE PICTURES of Ella from March 17, 2013 you can check them out ~ they will offer different angles and a different perspective having someone standing next to her. 

Burglars Busted by Braying Burro

Burglars Busted by Braying Burro

Bridle Fitting ~ Good to Know!!

Proper fitting Bridle is just as important as a proper fitting saddle. 

For example, Eli wear's a "Large Horse" or "Full" halter/bridle, whereas Ella wear's a WB (Warmblood) as the halter/bridle is to small and therefore too tight. 

Riding Ella ~ March 5, 2013

Following my riding session with Eli where him and I practice our trot and post, I brought Ella in to give her an opportunity to get out of the paddock for a bit and exercise. I decided against tacking her up with a saddle as she's quite big in the stomach right now, which is more than likely just hay. BUT, just to be sure AND as it has to be uncomfortable I decided against putting the saddle on with the very tight girth.

I did however, put her bridle on with little to no fuss from her then brought her into the arena. I'm glad I did because she was chewing and mouthing the bit a LOT. Before I could ask Jesse if he wanted to ride her he volunteered "I want to ride her" then asked if we were putting on a saddle, when I said no there were no complaints ~ he claims she's quite comfortable without one on. If we ride bareback she's certainly the one I would pick as well, if Eli would let us (which I'm not sure he would or not) he has high withers that would be nearly impossible and extremely uncomfortable for both horse and rider.

Motoring Along

Once Jesse gently hopped on Ella ~ away they went, walking around the arena. He rode her for quite some time walking, she would speed up a bit or pick up her pace but it was nothing more than a walk. NO trotting at this time, I don't think Jesse would be comfortable trotting on her yet as she's not quite balanced like Eli and without a saddle it wouldn't be good.PLUS, I'm sure he's going to be quite surprised at how much work and practice it takes for him to post when you haven't had practice and are out of shape in terms of core strength. He'll probably catch on quicker than me as he snowboards.

Throughout their riding session she walked around the chair that was intentionally left out in the open (she used to spook a bit at it) without any trouble. She went all the way to the end of the arena (she used to be nervous about that too) without any trouble and she didn't seem to mind the snow spots that appeared around the arena ~ good to take these things into consideration and be aware that she might. SO PROUD OF HER! She's coming a long way, I see a bit of a difference in her, perhaps she trusts us, seems if we don't worry or panic about something she doesn't seem too worried about it either for the most part ~ cautious still yes, but not like before.

Fine with the snow here and there on the ground

No worries with the opening in the Arena door

Going around the chair

A little cautious of the chair, but doing great

Coming from the far end of the barn, snow on ground

Stable Visit ~ March 5, 2013

Went out to the stable yesterday after work. It was cold, maybe - 12 but felt like -26 with the windchill. Refilled the hay nets, soaked some beet pulp then took Eli in for a ride. My feet were freezing and it was pretty chilly, but not too chilly to walk and trot indoors OR get out of the paddock for a bit.

I tacked him up, he was REALLY bad with the 'attempts' at nipping me, being a bit girthy. At one point I had to slap his rear haunch hard as he lifted his hind leg threatening to kick. I have to stay on-top of this as it's off and on with him and could be a dominance issue. I've changed his girth and stretched out his legs, so I think it's more of an attitude thing.

Once I tacked him up I hopped on and we did a walk to warm up, then we practiced our trot. Well I should say, I practiced my posting. ELI WAS AMAZING!! I absolutely LOVE him, if I could dedicate a song to him (yes Jesse thinks I'm crazy) I would dedicate "Safe and Sound" by Capital Cities to him ~ after our homework that's just how I felt, like he can lift me up, show me things I want to see, take me where I want to be and if he's SAFE he's SOUND ha ha, just kidding ~ but honestly, my heart swelled a bit that day. I can't describe or explain how helpful he is with me thus far. Jesse even made a comment during or ride that if I lost rhythm or posted to slow or fast,  Eli would change leads to accommodate 'my rhythm' and to synchronize as I am not nearly good enough yet to do it for him. I kind of realized this as I was able to post for longer periods of time, but the fact Jesse could visibly see it was nice to hear as well.

After our short ride I asked Jesse if he was interested in hoping on and he politely declined, but I could tell by his expression he wanted to and was excited to see us trot ~ he said Eli did so well that he should get his beet pulp and have the rest of the day off. I figured I was bringing Ella in to ride her as well and more than likely Jesse would want to hop on AND that he did. Next post will be of him riding Ella. She loves her hay nets ~ hence the preggo belly that I am certain isn't anything more than a hay belly, but 'hey' it's winter, have to stay warm!