Celebrate Your Expecting Mare with a Mare-ternity Session
If you love a good maternity session, let me introduce you to the horse owner version: the mare-ternity session.
It is exactly what it sounds like. A pregnancy photo shoot for your very pregnant mare.
These sessions are such a fun way to celebrate the excitement of a favorite horse getting ready to have a foal. The goal is to highlight that beautiful big baby belly and create images that feel sweet, playful, and meaningful before the little long-legged filly or colt arrives.
One of the things I love most about mare-ternity sessions is that they can be styled in simple but really fun ways. Wrapping the belly is a great way to show off the shape and size of the mare’s bump. Garlands and flowers can add a soft seasonal touch and feel especially fitting for all the spring babies and all the hopes and dreams that are tied to them.
The biggest question I get about mare-ternity sessions is timing.
A normal mare pregnancy is usually around 335 to 342 days, but it can vary a lot, which is why physical signs often matter more than counting down to one exact due date. University of Minnesota Extension notes that normal gestation can occasionally range from 315 to over 400 days, and Penn State Extension says mares often begin showing visible signs of approaching foaling about a month beforehand.
Because of that, I usually suggest planning photos for roughly 9 to 10 months into the pregnancy, or around 270 to 300 days into that typical 11-month gestation. That is often when the mare has a clear, well-defined belly that pops beautifully in photos, while still feeling comfortable enough to enjoy a low-key session. This timing recommendation is my photography suggestion based on how mares tend to look and feel during late pregnancy. Because timing can vary so much, it is smart to stay flexible and keep an eye on your mare’s body instead of relying only on the calendar.
University of Minnesota Extension notes that many mares begin to show swelling low along the abdomen about a month before foaling, and that other late-pregnancy changes become more obvious in the final weeks. A lot of mares really start to look extra pregnant in the last few weeks, but waiting too long can also mean she feels heavier, more tired, less comfortable, and less interested in participating in photos. There is a sweet spot where the belly looks fantastic and the mare still feels comfortable enough for a calm, easy session.
I also strongly recommend keeping the session at your mare’s home stable, barn or pasture. This is not the kind of session where you need to haul to a scenic location just for the sake of it. Home is where your mare is most relaxed, most comfortable, and least stressed. That really matters to me. University of Minnesota Extension advises that in late pregnancy, long-distance transport should be completed at least 30 days before the foal is due, and that mares should be at their foaling site 4 to 6 weeks before their due date so they can settle in and build immunity to local organisms.
For the session itself, just keeping it simple is best. Skip the tack and instead just choose a nice halter and lead. Have water handy nearby and bring along her favorite treats. Use fly spray or bug repellent if needed and If your mare is comfortable and the setting allows, letting her move around at liberty, at her own pace, in a small pasture for part of the session can create some really stunning images too.
This session does not need to be made complicated, just have fun celebrating your mare, her baby, and the excitement of what this foal will bring to your life. Don’t forget to jump into a few pictures with your girl as well!
If you have an expecting mare and want to create something fun and memorable before foaling day, a mare-ternity session might be exactly the right fit.
