I've seen it mentioned in a few posts, but really don't know what it refers to....except maybe watching a horse. (Hey, I'm just an ordinary big city girl)

You really need to get the answer from Barnbum...
Mare Stare is a highly addictive thing. These are mini mares that are due to give birth, that are on camera, so that the owners can keep a close eye on them. The Mare Stare part is that it is on the internet and we are the cheerleaders??? for the Mare. Some of the mares have a problem giving birth, and if help isn't there........We can contact the owner by phone and they can fly out to the barn. OK,Did I do this right, Karla???

That is it . And trust me it is VERY addicting ! LOL You can lose days and weeks watching and waiting for the mare to have her baby :lol: Thank goodness Dancer decided to bless us with her foal right before my vacation started :wink: What a good girl :lol:
Sharon

MARE STARE---where seemingly normal adults sit around glued to their computer screens watching very pregnant miniature horses eat, poop, pee and sleep waiting for those "signs" (that our paitent teachers Kay and Karla have told us about) that the mama is about to foal--condition is addictive and can be compulsive (staying up late at night, skipping meals, missing favorite tv shows, etc.)--- also it can take many days for the mama horse to actually get in the mood to foal

p.s. If we "see" those signs that Mom is going to foal and no one is in the barn, we sprint to our cell phones to call Kay.....if we're "real lucky" we get to see the foal born....and it's all worth it

Ohhh, Joan, I miss those days!!!

Panda

You gals explained that well!! :D :D

Mare Stare and Wee Foal are great ways for horse owners to get help watching their pregnant mares. Horse, esp. miniatures need watching 24/7 when due so the owner can be available if something goes wrong. The most common need is for the enbrionic sac to be broken for mini foals often can't get out by themselves.

When the monitor is put on the internet, everyone world wide can watch and phone the owner when the foaling starts. It means the owner can sleep--very important. :wink: You can go to marestare.com to see all you want.

I have two foals due, one hopefully within the next few days (Gypsy's milk is sticky!), but since these are my last foals, I had this week off, and I only have two... I didn't hook the Mare Stare stuff up. I'm watching all by my lonesome. I sleep on the couch every night to watch the TV screen of the Gypsy and Chloe show. :lol: I'm not staying awake every minute, but wake every hour or so to open one eye to check on them. Once I feel the foal is REALLY due, I will stay up every minute... somehow.

I'm really wishing I had another week off!!!

karla i was sure hoping they would foal while you were off. its so exhausting and especially with work everyday I feel for you!!

Patches will be on cam next probably around May 1 or sooner if she bags up a bunch.

Shes all kinds of fun to watch as shes the QUEEN MARE around here and knows it.

I would go nuts without my mare stare helpers. I swear you all help me keep my sanity :D

Kay--there's still hope Gypsy will go over this break. Her milk was pretty sticky tonight. Her bag isn't that firm though... but filling. I will be taking half days for a while if necessary--to watch mares and then foals. Good think the principals like me! :wink:

The mares came galloping in for dinner--I'm telling them to run softly for the babies!! :lol:

Oh Karla....I sure hope she foals soon!
Have to reminded her that there are those of us that are VERY anxious to see her foal?

Kay...we KNOW how much fun Patches is! lmao

I haven't check MareStare.com out yet, but I will. I assume your phone/cell numbers on on the site for viewers to call? As I said, I'm a city girl, but did get to watch birthing of lambs one spring. It was awesome.

Yes--the owner's numbers are posted for that exact reason. They want to be called if no one is seen in the stall--and esp. if the mare is having trouble.

The quiltingboard... not just for quilting. :wink: :lol: :D

Yup You got it!!!
ROFLMO!!!! :D :D :D
Kirsten

LOL

It's funny, we have a saying here..... if you have a bad day or a bad time at something you're "having a mare of a time" or if something didn't go according to plan it "was a mare of a thing".

Short for... Nightmare! ;-)

Laughing so hard!!! I love that!

Don't worry, Ducky. When Kay's next one is ready to foal, she will post the website for us. I think it is supposed to be around May 1 if I'm not mistaken.

It's addicting to even those who cannot actually stare due to naughty computers! It's fun to check in and read the comments!

barnbum, you'll let us know when to start watching? I have a friend with mini's, so I have an interest in what you're doing.....actually, what THEY'RE doing. :shock:

Oh I'm watching--I've been watching. I don't have a webcam--so it's kind of a lonely watch here. I have my buddy Angie--drivin*me*buggy who I give mare updates to three times a day... and my daughter wants me to text her with the news and photos no matter when one arrives...and Angie--she'll post when she gets news... and Kennedy and her dad and Mark will be in the barn to help--but it's not the same without my daughter here to anticipate with me. :(

They are close enough tonight for me to not be totally surprised if they went--I've never had them so close in signs before--they're usually weeks apart. Udders are full, but not tight--vulvas are loose, but not that long, but they are bright red inside--which might not mean anything. I rebraided tails and washed udders and other parts just now... and the foal kit is in the barn, camera is ready--and cell phone. Just have to grab the vet lube and bag of towels and foal blankets on my way out... now I just watch the monitor and wait. It'll be another long night on the couch. :wink:

Foals are still baking...I think they must be on the cuteness cycle. :wink:

I'm tired... it hurts.

Shimano--one of the dogs--goes to the vet this morning. She did something to her leg--but it hasn't cleared up like it usually does. And I was hoping to have a vet check it when he/she came out for a foal check... rats.

You know, Karla, we appreciate all of your updates even if we can't see the "progress" of the mamas. Just wish I could e mail some "shut eye" to you...... :lol:

This has to be a hard one with out Rachel there and "having" to work. (and having taught I know that you just don't show up at the appointed time, there is a lot to the planning, etc.) And, it is particularly nice that your principal is so understanding.--how great!


(I'm going to be away from the computer until April 30 or so will probably miss all of the excitement but regardless I'll be thinking about you and looking forward to seeing the foals!!!!)

Sure wish we could help you watch so you could get some sleep.

Sorry about your dog. Sending good thoughts!