Dream had her pre foal vet check, later than usual due to the pandemic, but she got her Caslick opened, additional vaccinations, a thorough examination, and was determined to be ready to foal.

The foal is in position, and it's always a relief to hear that!!

Thanks again, Dr. Robert Leonard for all the great care my horses receive!!

I got to see the foal blink through the miracle of ultrasound. It was soooooo cool!!!! As many mares as I've had, as much as I have read about fetal development, as many ultrasounds as I have seen, somehow it had escaped me that a foals eyes are open in utero. Wow, truly, there is always something to learn.

Dreams udder is increasing, thankfully, so everything appears to be on target.

When I got home from the vet, I got my foal kit tote out of the basement and checked off the needed items.

First and foremost, the foaling bible: "The Complete Book of Foaling, by Karen E N Hayes DVM MS I reccomend this book for anyone with a pregnant mare!!!!! It's packed with info on what's normal, what's not, and how to handle many different situations!

I also have shoulder length ob gloves, regular gloves, ob lube by the gallon, a notebook and pen to make notes as to the mare's behavior, and jotting down the time her water breaks, time of birth, time the umbilical cord breaks, when the baby shots are given, when the enema is given, when the foal stands, when it nurses, when the meconium passes, when the placenta passes. So many things that are so important, and time either flies by during foaling, or stands still. You must know, for certain that, say her water broke 10 minutes ago, as opposed to the omg , it broke 40 minutes ago and you now have an emergency on your hands!!!

I also have towels, for drying off a foal during cold weather, or helping provide a grip if assistance is needed, and two Fleets enemas, per foal, just in case.

There's string for tying up the amnion, scissors, navel dip.

Baby shots are at the ready. I give two, a tetanus antitoxin, and a mix from my vet which includes antibiotics.

Also on hand is a teeny foal blanket in case delivery comes during a cold spell. I never put a blanket on until I'm satisfied that bonding has been established, especially with a maiden mare!

Now it's just a matter of when the foal, ( you know, my filly) decides to make its appearance, and Dream gives the go ahead.

Maiden mares are the cause of many a sleepless night, and more stress than experienced mares. I always worry, but when I had several mares, and had foaled them out several times I could usually figure them out. I would NEVER say, oh I'll know, and one of my consistent mares surprised me 10 days early, with a colt one year! So.........stress, and more stress.

I've been hearing all kinds of horror stories, that never helps, and sometimes all goes well with delivery, then the mare tries to kill you when you're working with the foal, or even the foal itself, soooooo stressssss!!!!!

Note: A Caslick is a minor surgery on a mare's vulva, to aid in the prevention of an infection that could cause loss of the pregnancy..