Mares are notorious for having inconsistant heat cycles, especially young fillies and mares over the age of 15.
A mare is normally IN heat about a week and OUT of heat for about 2 weeks (14-16 days)
Typically, a mare is in heat (also called "in season") for 4 to 8 days at a time, depending on the time of year and whether or not a stallion is present. "Teasing" by a stallions' presence can bring a mare into heat within a couple of weeks.
In the late winter or early spring, a mare may be in heat the full 8 days while in mid-summer through winter only about 4 days, so how many times per year she is in heat can vary greatly.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
What age should you wean a foal?
It is best to wait until a foal is at least 6 months of age before weaning. Weaning a foal anytime before that can result in many problems, not just nutritional but psychological as well.
Of course, all mares and foals differ. Most foals will begin to lose interest on their own but if a foal continues to want to nurse, (and the mare allows it), it is completely understandable for a foal to nurse up to 8 months old.
In the wild, mustang mares will often allow their foal to nurse up to 1 year old, or about 2 weeks before she gives birth to her next foal.
In domesticated horses, where people have some control, it's best to not allow a foal to nurse over the age of 8 months due to concerns about the mares health and well being.
Of course, all mares and foals differ. Most foals will begin to lose interest on their own but if a foal continues to want to nurse, (and the mare allows it), it is completely understandable for a foal to nurse up to 8 months old.
In the wild, mustang mares will often allow their foal to nurse up to 1 year old, or about 2 weeks before she gives birth to her next foal.
In domesticated horses, where people have some control, it's best to not allow a foal to nurse over the age of 8 months due to concerns about the mares health and well being.
How can you tell when a mare will give birth?
The mares udder will begin to get bigger about 3 weeks before she gives birth. It will begin to swell at night and get smaller during the day.
Usually, the udder will stay full and large on the day before she gives birth. Colostrum may drip from the teats. The colostrum will dry and form what looks like wax over her teats, which is where the term 'waxing' comes from. Waxing normally means that the mare will deliver her foal within 24 hours but its not uncommon for waxing to occur 2 to 3 days before the mare gives birth.
When the little drops of wax fall off of the teats, milk will usually drip out and that normally means the foal will be born within 8 to 12 hours.
Notice I often use the words 'normally' and 'usually'? Well, that's because pregnant mares are much like pregnant women. When it comes to pregnancy, there is nothing written in stone! All horses are different, so your little foal can choose to make his or her dramatic appearance earlier or later. (Maybe they like the attention and like to keep us on our toes!)
I know horses have been giving birth for centures without our help but since we can have some measure of control in our domesticated horses, keep a close eye on your pregnant mare when it's close to her delivery time and have the vets' phone number handy or on speed dial. Most deliveries go perfectly fine but why not be safe instead of sorry and use the assistance (if it's needed) to ensure a healthy mom and baby?
Usually, the udder will stay full and large on the day before she gives birth. Colostrum may drip from the teats. The colostrum will dry and form what looks like wax over her teats, which is where the term 'waxing' comes from. Waxing normally means that the mare will deliver her foal within 24 hours but its not uncommon for waxing to occur 2 to 3 days before the mare gives birth.
When the little drops of wax fall off of the teats, milk will usually drip out and that normally means the foal will be born within 8 to 12 hours.
Notice I often use the words 'normally' and 'usually'? Well, that's because pregnant mares are much like pregnant women. When it comes to pregnancy, there is nothing written in stone! All horses are different, so your little foal can choose to make his or her dramatic appearance earlier or later. (Maybe they like the attention and like to keep us on our toes!)
I know horses have been giving birth for centures without our help but since we can have some measure of control in our domesticated horses, keep a close eye on your pregnant mare when it's close to her delivery time and have the vets' phone number handy or on speed dial. Most deliveries go perfectly fine but why not be safe instead of sorry and use the assistance (if it's needed) to ensure a healthy mom and baby?
How long is a horse pregnant?
The period of gestation is the time starting when a baby is conceived in the womb until it is born.
A horses' gestation period is roughly 11 months (or 340 days). Of course, a pregnant mare is never that predictable :D so a range of 320 to 370 days is considered fairly normal.
A horses' gestation period is roughly 11 months (or 340 days). Of course, a pregnant mare is never that predictable :D so a range of 320 to 370 days is considered fairly normal.
What does it mean to float a horses' teeth?
In domesticated horses, it is very common for their teeth to wear unevenly and develop sharp points and sharp edges that can cut into their jaws or tongue. As you can imagine, this can make it very difficult and painful for a horse to eat. Also, when they can't chew properly, their food is not digested properly and a horse can very quickly loose weight and look in poor or sick condition, no matter how much food they're getting.
Floating a horses teeth is a term that means the vet or equine dentist takes a long handled rasp and files off any sharp points and edges on the horses teeth.
Eeek! Sounds painful, huh? I thought so, too. (The first time I saw a horses' teeth floated, I cried! Yes, I am a sap :D But every vet and equine dentist I've talked to and everything I've read says that this procedure is not painful to the horse because the sensitive nerves are located so deep within the tooth. (And horses' teeth are very long, some teeth are up to 4 inches!)
Although I may never be 100% totally convinced it's not painful, it probably is true. Whether it's true or not, I do believe a good equine dentist can make it comfortable (or at least tolerable) for the horse and let's face the facts: nobody (especially us humans) likes the dentist but it's something that we just have to do.
Like people, a horse should have regular dental checkups and if your horse looses some weight and you don't know why and/or drops a lot of grain from their mouth while eating, it is a pretty good sign that they need their teeth checked. I believe word of mouth is the best advertising so ask around with other horse people you know and find a good equine dentist or vet to take care of your horses' teeth.
Floating a horses teeth is a term that means the vet or equine dentist takes a long handled rasp and files off any sharp points and edges on the horses teeth.
Eeek! Sounds painful, huh? I thought so, too. (The first time I saw a horses' teeth floated, I cried! Yes, I am a sap :D But every vet and equine dentist I've talked to and everything I've read says that this procedure is not painful to the horse because the sensitive nerves are located so deep within the tooth. (And horses' teeth are very long, some teeth are up to 4 inches!)
Although I may never be 100% totally convinced it's not painful, it probably is true. Whether it's true or not, I do believe a good equine dentist can make it comfortable (or at least tolerable) for the horse and let's face the facts: nobody (especially us humans) likes the dentist but it's something that we just have to do.
Like people, a horse should have regular dental checkups and if your horse looses some weight and you don't know why and/or drops a lot of grain from their mouth while eating, it is a pretty good sign that they need their teeth checked. I believe word of mouth is the best advertising so ask around with other horse people you know and find a good equine dentist or vet to take care of your horses' teeth.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
How many teeth does a horse have?
Foals begin to grow teeth within their first week.
By one year old, they have a complete set of 24 temporary or baby teeth (called deciduous teeth)
By age 5, the adult horse has a complete set of permanent teeth:
Female horses have 40 permanent teeth
Male horses have 42 permanent teeth (the male has 2 canine teeth that the female does not have)
By one year old, they have a complete set of 24 temporary or baby teeth (called deciduous teeth)
By age 5, the adult horse has a complete set of permanent teeth:
Female horses have 40 permanent teeth
Male horses have 42 permanent teeth (the male has 2 canine teeth that the female does not have)
Friday, July 11, 2008
What does it mean when a horse won't eat?
Horses bodies are designed to be almost continual grazers. If given the opportunity, they will naturally graze about 22 hours out of every 24 hour period, so it's perfectly normal if you see your horse dozing for 30 minutes to an hour, a couple of times per day and not eating. However, if the horse doesn't graze on grass or hay for more than a couple of hours, it's an indication to take notice and check your horse out.
If you offer your horse a favorite treat or offer them some grain and they refuse to eat it, it is a SURE SIGN that something is wrong. It's what is referred to as "going off their feed" and a vet should be called. If you tell the vet on the phone that your horse is "off their feed", most vets will get out there quite soon because they realize the importance of it.
Unfortunately, there are so many different things it could be that this question cannot be answered here. It's one of those situations with horses that a veterinarian must diagnose.
If you offer your horse a favorite treat or offer them some grain and they refuse to eat it, it is a SURE SIGN that something is wrong. It's what is referred to as "going off their feed" and a vet should be called. If you tell the vet on the phone that your horse is "off their feed", most vets will get out there quite soon because they realize the importance of it.
Unfortunately, there are so many different things it could be that this question cannot be answered here. It's one of those situations with horses that a veterinarian must diagnose.
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