Pregnant horse – could this be early stages of labour?
Isolation is a sign that things might be happening. A few days before her udders will swell too and there will be a waxy plug on both teats and she may actually run some liquid from her teats. You will also notice that her vulva looks much slacker than before. Also the muscles at the top of the tail seem very relaxed and soft, all preparation for giving birth. Labour is usually pretty quick once the waters have broken. Best to observe from a distance, though mares by nature tend to foal at night and alone. I hope you have some disinfectant to put on the foal’s umbilicus, though if your mare is like some I have known her carachter may be that she will not let you near and she will come at you all legs and teeth. It is a protection mechanism. Good luck. She may seem to have colicky symptoms – ie kicking belly, looking round and generally being restless or uncomfortable. Best thing to do is to wait for the vet and if it looks as though she is definitely in labour, tie up her tail to preve
