Hi y'all, Katie Van Slyke here, and I realized something recently. We have not done an official bump date yet going into the 2026 foaling season. So today felt like the perfect time to slow down, grab a tape measure, and check in on all of our pregnant mamas as we head full speed into another year of horse breeding.
If you are new around here, a bump date is something I started doing purely for fun. We measure the mares around the widest part of their bellies and track how their bodies change as foaling gets closer. It is not something every breeder does, and it definitely does not make you a bad horse owner if you do not measure. For me, it is part record keeping, part curiosity, and honestly part bonding with these girls as they carry the next generation.
Raven and Indy: The Early Leaders
Miss Raven is our first mare due in 2026, with a due date of January 20th. That is coming up fast. By the time y'all are reading this, we will be less than a month away, which is wild to think about. Raven measured in at 96 inches, holding steady from the week before. She is officially one of our biggest mamas so far this year.
One thing I really like to watch with Raven is her udder development, also called her bag. She has just the tiniest bit starting, which is exactly what I expect from a mare who is about a month out from foaling. Her teats are still small, but you can see the very beginning of milk production. Those little details matter during horse breeding, because they can tell you a lot about where a mare is in her pregnancy.
Right behind Raven is Indy, who is due February 7th. Indy is always the biggest belly of the year, no matter what. This will be her third foal, and she is a senior Thoroughbred mare at 17 years old. All of that plays into how she carries. Indy measured 97 inches, just one inch bigger than Raven, even though she looks dramatically larger. It is such a good reminder that every mare carries differently.
Interestingly, Indy has zero milk production right now. Her teats are longer because she has had multiple babies, but there is nothing in there yet. That contrast between Indy and Raven is a perfect example of how individual pregnancy timelines can be, even when due dates are close.
New Faces and First Time Moms
Rikki is due February 9th and is brand new to us. I purchased her already pregnant, and she was still a show horse earlier this year. Because of that, she has held onto her muscle tone and is staying much slimmer through her belly. She is also a maiden mare, meaning this is her first baby. Rikki measured 89 and three quarters inches, which makes sense for a first time mom with strong abdominal muscles.
Charlotte is another maiden and another very special case. She was rescued from a kill pen and came to us severely underweight. Seeing her now, healthy and able to nourish a baby, genuinely makes my heart happy. Charlotte measured 86 inches, and while she is smaller, she looks exactly how she should for where she is in her pregnancy.
Lexy is a recip mare carrying an embryo and is due March 12th. She measured 88 and a half inches. She is a little more skittish, but incredibly sweet, and she is carrying precious cargo for us. After Lexy, we have a small break before our April mares.
Watching Closely and Learning Constantly
Phoebe starts off our April due dates on April 8th. She measured 87 and a quarter inches. Maggie followed at 85 and a half inches, Happy at 86 and a half, and Annie at 88 inches. Even though some of these mares are further along than others, they all carry so differently. That is one of the things I love most about horse breeding. No two pregnancies are exactly the same.
During this bump date, we noticed something important with Annie. She is bagging up far earlier than she should be, which can be a sign of issues like placentitis. Because we check these mares regularly, we caught it early and were able to call the vet and start treatment right away. That moment alone is a big reason I continue doing bump dates and daily checks.
Preparing for a Healthy Foaling Season
One major change we made this year is pulling mares off fescue grass as they get closer to foaling. Fescue can cause early deliveries and milk production issues, so we created a large dry lot where mares within three months of their due date can safely move around. It has already been a game changer for us.
We wrapped up our bump date with Coco, our mini mare, who is due around February 10th. She weighed in at just over 64 inches around, which is incredible when you compare her to the big horses. Minis can safely foal a bit earlier, so she might surprise us and be one of the first babies of the year.
Foaling season is officially around the corner, and things are about to get busy. If you have questions about foaling, mare care, or horse breeding in general, let me know. I want to make sure y'all feel as prepared as possible. We are officially on baby watch, and I cannot wait to share this season with you.
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