--> Real Life Horse Advice Sought

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'Ellos =] So lemme get right down to business. The issue? PREGNANT MARES >.>

My APHA mare Midnight Alexis *izzy* was with the stud from last august until this feb. Needless to say, quite a bit of time (haha). When I had the horses' coggins refreshed I wanted him to palpate her to see if she was pregnant. He said he'd do a bloodtest (he recently had a close family member pass, so I wasn't going to complain) to check her. 'Lo and behold, I had a pregnant horse. When I got her she was underweight (just taken a filly off her & was in middle of drought in winter...) though has now recovered and then some. I know she is by no means overdue yet, but I was just seeking help to make sure she is still pregnant without seeking medical (and pricey) help.

Anyone know any tips on making sure she is still pregnant?

Her belly does keep getting bigger and bigger, but her shoulder/neck/butt are not fat. Her appetite of late is just soaring (dad let her eat FIVE GALLONS of a HIGH PROTEIN FEED that was meant for show heifer... she's fine ^-^), and recently she's gotten a lil moody. I know, seems like perfect picture for a pregnant mare. My friends guess at the due date is december...

However, december is mighty close. Izzy's whole life has been dedicated to childbirth - think this is her sixth foal *she's twelve*. From a front view, she looks huge. Side view? Just fat. No extra 'sticking out' or squaring off (not sure of technical term, just what locals call it lol) from her. Also, we've just gotten our first cold front a week ago (oh dear! mid 50s at worst xD) and so this may be the reason for her appetite and altered attitude. Also, she is the sole horse at the moment (no fear, after she foals already have friends offering to take turns having their mommas and foals babysit) so I only know of her attitude toward our cows. She seems almost more grouchy -though still afraid- toward them. But it is weird - we have a bottlefed calf whose now 6 mths and still tiny, but motherless. She can be so sweet to the thing some days, and viscious with poor Daisy the next. Izzy is always throwing fits at the steer and heifer through their pens. Our border collie Bruce has also enticed her to gallop on several occasions now, when before she could care less. Whats more, some days she is just Ms. Hermit. The 'herd' is out of sight in another pasture, and she just hangs out by the barn or just by herself. From what little I know of pregnant mares, this seems right on que. But I've checked her - no swollen bag. She doesn't seem to be dropping anymore...

But maybe I'm just gettin impatient xD I REALLY want a foal to play/work/train before I go off to college... I know it seems in print she is right on que, but are there any signs I'm missing? Any more to look for?

Or is she, as my dad says/hopes, just a fat horse? Any help appreciated

[Cantora]

It sounds to me like she is still pregnate but then again i could be wrong. I have only delt with a few pregnate mares before in my life {my horses are geldings lol} So she could be, but she might not be. I would have to see pictures to really know lol