Minis can have quite a few problems, especially the smaller ones (distocia can happen due to pelvic insufficeniecy). We take turns staying up over night to keep an eye on them and go out immediately when they begin labor. We do help the foaling as well so we can make sure they are coming out okay and to get the bag broken open. Minis and shetlands can also have this bad habit of foaling while standing up. My mom had to catch a filly last year as she was coming out because her momma didn't see the need to lay down to get the job done.

Minis also don't hold off as long as full sized horses (for the most part, there are always the odd balls). Typically gestation is 320 days, but some mares have been known to foal as early as 290.

I'm just really hoping we have a good, safe year this year. We have lost 2 fillies in the last 2 years, one from an abruption and the other to a small intestine blockage when she was less than a week old. We're ready to have a year where everything goes right again.

No babies yet. Lena (she's the mare in my weight-ticker pict) is forming wax plugs and has a decent udder started so only a few more weeks. I think she will go about the 12th but since this is baby #1 for her, not sure when she will decide it's time. Mimi's attitude is changing and she's looking close as well, but since she's never foaled out here, we don't know what her signs will be either.

We're hoping for fillies, but I've got a feeling this is going to be a colt year. I'm thinking solid bay for Mimi, bay/white minimal pinto on Belle (she's not due for a while) and a bay homozygous tobiano for Lena.