|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Apr 20, 2009 20:58:22 GMT -5
Contora is 324 days now...being a maiden mare I figure she will make me wait longer than her due date (officially May 5th). However, she is shaping up quickly and today we had "milk" - not really milk milk, but a little more than clear. I know from experience that this can go on for some time, but usually with a maiden mare, you can't even really milk them - so who is to say?! We'll just have to keep an eye out for wax and the milk thickening. So, maybe this thread is a little early, but you never know! Pict taken on the 16th at 320 days:  |
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Apr 21, 2009 20:12:40 GMT -5
Contora seems to be motoring along...today the milk was more opaque and a little sticky. No wax yet. We were able to test the ph and it is at 6.6 - when it gets around 6.0 then its' lift off! If she keeps up this pace, we may just get a foal this weekend.
|
|
|
|
Post by kigerfan on Apr 21, 2009 20:56:09 GMT -5
That'll be pretty awesome  Can't wait to start seeing pictures, I just loveee the babies! |
|
|
|
Post by fantasykiger on Apr 21, 2009 21:55:37 GMT -5
Wonderful news... I would love to see a foal...SOON!  |
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Apr 23, 2009 21:25:21 GMT -5
327 days in foal today....milk is thicker and sticky. Ph was 6.3 this morning, but back up to 6.6 tonight. Her hindend is soft and mushy and her belly looks like a "V" now as the foal is getting into position. Her flanks are also fuller as the foal moves where it needs to be. She is all bedded down tonight, camera on her and will check throughout the night...my best SWAG (scientific wild @$$ guess) is tomarrow night; Eric says Saturday....who knows, she may drag this out another week!!   |
|
|
|
Post by kigerfan on Apr 23, 2009 21:56:42 GMT -5
She definitely looks ready to pop! I can't wait for pictures! |
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Apr 24, 2009 20:43:28 GMT -5
Ph is staying down at 6.3...calcium test is high (2 out of the 4 squares changed right away and the other two followed in less than 10 seconds). Milk is getting thicker, though not totally opaque (but that can happen even after they foal). Notice her flank area is not hollow anymore - the foal is moving into position. For the first time ever, I saw the foal moving around in that area.... I caught her walking backwards and flicking her tail up and down (classic contractions) right before I came up for dinner. She is also standing somewhat squatted in the hind. We will be on watch tonight and hopefully she does not drag this out a few days! |
|
|
|
Post by citykid on Apr 24, 2009 20:47:05 GMT -5
Video birth for u-Tube?
|
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Apr 25, 2009 7:31:28 GMT -5
Still waiting this morning...she had some small contractions last night and even kicked at her belly a few times. She was antsy most of the early night, then settled down about 2am and slept.
Video is hard, as most foal at night and I prefer to keep the lights off except for the red heat lamp. I have cameras' set up, but they only go to a small monitor - which I guess if I got technical I could record it. My sad old Mac at home does not do well with many programs, but I am planning on going "live" next year on Marestare at least with a couple mares.
I have one birth on film - Chilli foaled Cazador early one evening. Wish I had the video camera ready last year, as she foaled at 11:30am, right at the start of our Open House! I'll be ready this year just in case.
|
|
|
|
Post by fantasykiger on Apr 25, 2009 14:34:24 GMT -5
I do have a lowlight camera on my mares and a monitor in my house. Fantasy is really easy to see on camera in the dark being a big white mare  I love having a monitoring system rather then having to bother them with check ups. Sadly it is nothing all to fancy nor hooked up online to share with others. I look forward to marestare next year at Rancho Bayo ;D it is fun to have a window up to watch the mares when ever you are online...very addicting. I was there when Wickee was born with video camera in hand and so excited I forgot to film ...LOL. When I did start filming I forgot to turn on the camera light at first then finally got that turned on. From then on I sorta' gave up the filming birth thing I am just to much of a basket case...LOL. |
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Apr 26, 2009 8:26:08 GMT -5
Last night, Contora layed down and was tucking up her hind legs and bitting her belly....she is holding out, typical maiden mare! Hopefully not too much longer!
|
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Apr 27, 2009 10:02:57 GMT -5
Contora had some hard contractions last night...two put her right down, but she is still holding out. We had bad storms roll in about 2am (4"+ in an hour), bad lightening, power out, etc...so we called it a night. Came out to check on her at 4:30 when the rain slowed - she was still by herself, but waxing. Still waxing this morning and looking content to continue at keeping me up and anticipating!
More bad weather heading in now....have to go pump water out of the training barn instead of taking a nice long nap!
|
|
|
|
Post by fantasykiger on Apr 27, 2009 15:47:54 GMT -5
UGH...the hold out, and the anticipation. hang in there i am sure it is gogin ot be worth the wait. I know you surely can not wiat for her to foal so you can take the sigh of relief.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Apr 28, 2009 8:07:13 GMT -5
Ho-hum....we gave up early last night and everyone got a good nights sleep. Come on Contora! |
|
|
|
Post by kigermamma on Apr 28, 2009 13:29:08 GMT -5
I can't wait for pictures of the new foal! Babies are so exciting |
|
Can't wait to start seeing pictures, I just loveee the babies!
I love having a monitoring system rather then having to bother them with check ups. Sadly it is nothing all to fancy nor hooked up online to share with others. 