Judy,
That is good news. Sounds like you are staying ontop of things and that Dice is doing fine.
Dr.Getty is the nutrition expert, but I will add one thing... it would be a good idea to have your alfalfa hay analyzed for it's content. Alfalfa hay can have too much calcium, Dr.Getty could explain this better, but you really have to be aware of the mineral balance of what you are feeding her. If the calcium and phosphorus is not balanced correctly, her foal may develope contracted tendons. So you have to know what's in that hay so you can, if necessary, adjust her feed accordingly.
Every mare is different, I know from experience, and you can feed 5 mares the exact same things, and one of those mares will retain too much cal or phos, pass it to her foal, and you have a problem. You may already be aware of this, but can't hurt to mention it.
Also, the more time Dice spends outside during the day, the better...you might consider, weather permitting, letting her stay out all day. Moving around a lot, even just walking around her paddock or pasture is the best thing for her and baby.
Bet you are getting excitied...good luck.

Where are you from? Wyoming

HI JOANIE ,THANKS FOR THAT.I PUT DICE OUT FOR MOST OF THE DAY THE OTHER DAY BUT IT WAS TO MUCH FOR HER BECAUSE SHE ENDED UP HAVEING COW PIES,SO I WILL MAKE SURE SHE HAS GRASS HAY ALL DAY,I PUT HER OUT IN THE ARENA SO SHE CAN LOOK AROUND OR I TAKE HER FOR WALKS WHEN THE WEATHER IS GOOD.YES IAM GETTING VERY EXCITED AND WORRIED AT THE SAME TIME.

Where are you from? calif.

We just bought our mare this past Thanksgiving. She is 5 yrs old and had a foal in 2006. I was grooming her one day and hit her ***** which caused a squirt of liquid. On further exam I found that her ***** were quiet full and her sack was crusty and brown. I cleaned her and put udder cream on her but to date the fluid has not dried up. Will she ever dry up or will this be a constant condition?

Where are you from? North Carolina

How did you locate this forum? google

Vickie,
As long as she is healthy and she has no 'bag', I wouldn't worry. I have a mare that leaked milk for years after her last foal was born...in fact, she passed away at age 33 and even at that age, she dripped milk.
Dr.Getty might want to add something.

Where are you from? Wyoming

Hi Vicki,

I would recommend that you contact www.completefoalingmanual.com where you can discuss this type of question with Theresa Jones, author of The Complete Foaling Manual.

My area of expertise is Nutrition and your concern is out of the realm of my ability to adequately assist you.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Hi all,
I just wanted to give my two cents. The Complete Foaling Manual is a MUST HAVE book. It gives pictures of what the udders should look like, what each stage of labor looks like and what it looks like if something is going wrong. It also gives you advice for when things are going wrong... (which isn't very often.) After your foal is born the book takes you step by step what should happen when. My mare had her fist foal in 2006 and I was soooooooo glad I had the book. It's exciting, scary, and wonderful all at once!! I counted each and every day and I was fortunate enough to be there when her foal was born......... agh, what an experience!!!!
We'll be looking forward to your announcement!!!! When is she due?
Lynette

Thank you Lynette! Your description of The Complete Foaling Manual is accurate and surely is a must-have for anyone whose mare is pregnant -- especially for those who have little experience with foaling. It will make the reader wise, indeed!

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO