How can you tell when a horse is getting ready to go into labor?
Most mares will begin to “bag up” in the last month to month and a half of gestation. This means that her udder will begin to swell. Many mares will resist attempts to touch their udders or nipples, which can interfere with the foal’s nursing attempts. By helping your mare become accustomed to having her teats handled or cleaned with a warm cloth, it can help the foal to nurse after birth. Patience, a helper, and occasionally a tranquilizer are needed for this. Once she is accustomed to having her udder and teats handled, regular checks can reveal when the udder begins to fill. This will first be felt near the belly, and then can be discerned in the mammary glands and nipples. As the mare gets closer to foaling, her nipples will thicken, hang down lower, and begin to develop a thick, waxy material. When the nipples “wax,” it is a fairly reliable indicator that the foal will be born within the next day or so. Still, none of these indicators are absolute. Remember that mares approach foa
