I usually brush Cookie a couple times a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. I check for anything that looks out of place or any indications that Cookie has managed to get herself into some kind of trouble. 

The first thing I found this morning was a line of hair missing underneath her jaw that runs towards her mouth. It's about 8" long and superficial. It hadn't bled or anything, she managed to just peel the hair off. <sigh> Thankfully that's ALL that happened to that spot. I expect a few spots like that though because she is becoming increasingly itchy as the seasons change. Which is another reason I brush her twice a day, to rid her of the excess shedding hair. 

The second thing I have found was her tail looks like it's been in a shredder. She tested negative for parasites the first of March, and to be safe I've upped her DE to 2 Tablespoons per day. I did some research on itchy tails and pregnant mares. It appears mares become more itchy the closer they get to delivering. It's more than your average itch from shedding. They itch everywhere and intensely. Now I know the reason for the top of her tail looking like an overused tattered broom. I can't wrap her tail overnight because I'm not awake to keep tabs on her, and I don't want it to become entangled in her legs should she rub it all to pieces. I also have some aloe I can rub into her tail head to help reduce some of that itchiness. 

My pictures don't do justice to her size, though if the vet is correct in his guess, in my opinion she should be a whole lot bigger. Some days she looks so pregnant and even goes through the loving, hip pocket mood one day and a total get out of my space or I'll eat you mood the next. Moods aside, she's doing quite well. Overall happy, rolls regularly and enjoys her mid morning and afternoon naps under the trees. 

I'm thinking we're going to have a May baby, though I'm sure it's going to be more like June. Poor girl. I hope for her sake it's more towards May. lol The summer heat around here is beyond stifling. If I could get her to see that her stall is much cooler than the great outdoors, maybe she'll be more comfortable. Otherwise I'll set up a misting hose for her and see what I can do about getting a fan set up. 

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