THE BROODY MARE

Hi, I’m Ann Henry— founder of The Broody Mare, and your Sage-Mystic guide through the mysterious, amazing, and often nerve-wracking journey of foaling your mare.

Like many horse lovers, I was not born into a horse family, but I found a way to make them part of my life as soon as I was able. I was 14 when I was able to get my 1st horse. She was everything I ever wanted in a first horse- our relationship went much deeper than a rider and a horse, a bond of trust built on a friendship with a sentient being. Long before I ever heard about natural horsemanship or Liberty training, I was playing with my mare, and she responded. She would easily free lunge around me at all three gaits simply on voice command or hand signals. I learned so much from her about horse psychology and mare psychology, in how she interacted with me and how she interacted with her babies. 

She had had a few foals before I acquired her, but she produced my 1st foal the year I turned 17. I had done my own pedigree research, picked out the stallion, and studied and read every book available about foaling and equine pregnancy. It never felt like enough. The intense quest to know more. I know very well the anxiety of preparing for the birth of your 1st foal. It's been 36 years, and I still clearly remember the weeks leading up to the birth, and the excitement of seeing that my mare had waxed one night and then the birth of the colt the next morning. One of the greatest days of my life. My 1st foal from 1st mare, my 1st broody mare.

She was an Arabian, she was a CHESTNUT (and oh, how I LOVED her color), and she was a MARE. All three aspects have had their share of a reputation, depending on your preferences, BUT if you are here, it is because of at least one thing we have in common- the love of a mare… and not just a mare- A BROODY MARE!

...And why should you listen to me?  Well, I have gotten really good at knowing when my mares will foal, usually within 1-2 days.  I use a number of different parameters and milestones along with a dose of intuition. It really cuts down on the nights spent on foalwatch in the barn.  Now, I would like to help others do the same.  There is nothing like being present for the birth of a foal, especially one of your own, and being there is important for the safety of your mare and foal.  Things can, and do go wrong, and often a simple and timely intervention can prevent a disaster.

I've made a career of helping and learning from animals, and horses have been my passion my whole life.  Professionally I have been a licensed Veterinary Technician since 2004.  I've worked in small animal and mixed animal (sm and lg animal) practices and a few strictly equine practices.  I also worked in research for over 15 years as a Veterinary Technician and a Research Analyst.  So, I have a fairly broad veterinary🩺background. Most of my breeding and foaling experience comes from my own breeding program with my Arabian horses, which will soon be in its 4th generation.  My current horses are the great grandbabies of my 1st Broody Mare.  One of them is my stallion, Raja, the 2022 Arabian Sport Horse Nationals Champion 🏆2-year-old colt in Sport Horse in Hand.  There is something really special about seeing a horse you've raised wearing a garland of roses🌹🌹🌹🌹.  In addition to my personal breeding program, I also worked for one of the world-renowned Godolphin Thoroughbred breeding farms here in Kentucky for 5 years doing Nightwatch and Foaling Assistance. A beautiful 3000-acre broodmare farm that foaled out 50+ mares a year.

So, as I build this community on the experiences of the past 40 years with horses, under the brand of The Broody Mare, I hope to build your confidence and ability to better understand your mare and help you be there when she needs you most.  Come join us for the " Ultimate Foaling Experience" in The Broody Mare Academy.  Our focus is on a community-based program of like-minded horse lovers who want to dive deep into building relationships with their mares and a greater understanding of the importance of observing the final 4-6 weeks of a mare's pregnancy.  !Hint!  That's where the clues are...Ready for an adventure?  Let's go!!

For more information visit the Facebook group - The broody Mare or email us at thebroodymare@outlook.com