This page is designed as a diary to record the progress of two mares throughout their gestation cycle. It is for anyone who might be interested to monitor the progress of a pregnant mare.

It is a diary only - and not intended as advice nor recommendations to any individual persons.

The start of the gestation cycle is at the bottom of the page. The mares are due within 7 days of each other, reference to time left throughout the diary is based on the first mare due (Paris).

The mares:

RIDGECREST JAMALII, 'Malii' Pure Arabian mare expecting a Pure Arabian foal (Due September 2010)

PARIS PASSIONS, 'Paris' Anglo Arabian mare expecting an Arabian Stockhorse foal (Due September 2010)

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18 September 2010 - And he has arrived! Malii has foaled a beautiful, very good sized colt. He will go grey, and is very healthy. He pooed his meconium well, and is now drinking and running around like a trooper.

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15 September 2010 - The day before her due date! No wax yet, the swelling has continued. You can see from this teat photo the 'slit' where the teats are separated is fading as they swell. Her hindquarters have dropped a bit more too.

 

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5 September 2010 - Malii is starting to show signs that foaling is near! I think within the week now! In the first photo one teat had started to enlarge more than the other. A few days later the other one caught up and they are both increasing in size. The 'milk dots' have fallen off and the teats have started to go smooth. Excuse the hairy belly, it has been snowing here! :o)

 

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8 August 2010 - Malii at just under 10 months pregnant. She has around 5 weeks to go now. She has small white dots on her teets and is really showing. Preparations have begun for her to be isolated from the others horses and go into the foaling yard. The foal alarm is ready, new battery awaiting, and the foaling kit has been stockedup.

 

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29 June 2010 - A sad update today. 'Paris Passions' is no longer with us, she passed away on the weekend.

I agonised with the thoughts of what to write on this page - whether to just delete this diary page altogether, and try to move on. But then I remembered why I started this broodmare diary. It was to provide an educational reference for those interested in breeding horses, to watch the progress of two different breeds of mares, through their stages of pregnancy. Their due dates were close together, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to watch them both progress.

Paris died due to a multiple pregnancy. She carried them to 8 months term, which is amazing in itself. Many people have been following this diary, and no one was alerted by any differences in the images, not even me, who was looking at them in the flesh.

The foals were born around the size of small whippets, the first was a gorgeous bay, with a white stripe and white socks. The second looked like it would go grey. The third did not make it out, and Paris did not survive.

Triplets - devastating, and so rare, just awful.

What if? Believe me its all I have done for the last few days, and all I will do for some time to come I am sure. Life is precious.

 

 

I will continue the diary with Malii. Please pray with us through this delicate process of new life.

 

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12 June 2010 - Happy and cruisy - 7.5 months pregnant.

 

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6 April 2010 - Baby bellies really showing now! 7 months pregnant.