A dumb question....

[FoxRiverThoroughbreds]

I feel kind of dumb asking this question but it's been a while (5-years) since a foal has been born on my farm. When does a mare start to build a bag? I have two mares due April 7, with one mare (a 5-year-old) really showing while the other one (a 24-year-old) doesn't really look it. I bought both of these mares in foal. When would/should they start to produce a bag? Like I said, a dumb question but I'd just like to know. Thanks!

[Intrinsic Worth]

In the last month, you will notice a bag developing at night when the mares are inside, but it will go away when they go outside. This is due to edema. The last two weeks, you will notice the bag getting bigger and not going down when the mare is turned out. They will begin to wax sometimes a week before foaling.

If the bag is getting prominent this early, I would have a vet scan her to see if there is any placental separation. Bagging up really early is not good, especially with a younger mare. Some older mares always look like they have a bag.

[Skipitgirl]

Also like to mention, our old mare didnt bag up on her last 2 foals until 12 hours before foaling.

[madelyn]

An early bag like that can also be a sign of placentitis. You might lose the foal. (Abort)