Back to the Birth Alarm product page.
The Birth Alarm system has two different operating systems depending upon the
behavioural characteristics of the mare.
In the late stages of gestation it is not normal
for a mare to lie completely on her side when resting, this position is thus unique to
the birth process. Usually mares will rest in a half lying, sitting or even standing position. For this group of mares the Birth Alarm
is operated on setting 4a.
Approximately 15% of mares do rest in the totally lateral position and thus form an exception to the rule. For these mares Birth Alarm
is equipped with a special function which enables detection and reporting of the onset of delivery in all cases. For this the
Birth Alarm is operated on setting 4b.
Operation on setting 4a:
For mares where lying completely on their side is unique to the birth process. In order to gather and focus the strength for a
contraction the mare lies down in the totally lateral position. The transmitter registers this position and the alarm is activated
after 7.6 seconds. Research has established that a contraction lasts a minimum of 7
seconds.
|
|
After 7.6 Seconds
The Birth Alarm Sounds
|
|
|
Mare drops to her knees |
Mare lies completely over on her side
|
Operation on setting 4b:
For mares which may lie completely over on their side in order to rest. There are two situations which may arise.
First
|
|
|
After 3 Minutes
|
|
|
Mare drops to her knees |
Mare lies completely over on her side
|
Mare is still lying on her
side and thus is resting: No Birth Alarm
|
The mare lies down in the totally lateral position to rest. The alarm will not activate although the receiver does indicate that the
mare is on her side and the transmitter is sending a signal. If the mare is still lying in this position after three minutes the
Birth Alarm registers that the mare is resting and the system is neutralized. Suppose after half an hour the mare gets up and then
once again lies down on her side. The Birth Alarm again registers the position for a period of three minutes.
The period of three minutes is not arbitrary. Research has shown that a mare’s contraction never lasts longer than 2.5 minutes.
The Birth Alarm system is based on a period of 3 minutes – a safety margin of 0.5 minutes.
Second
|
|
|
After 2 minutes |
|
|
Mare drops to her knees |
Mare lies completely on her side
(she's having a contraction)
|
Mare rolls off her side (to a position of less then 70 degrees)
|
|
|
|
|
The Birth Alarm sounds |
The mare lies down flat on her side. The alarm does not go off after 7.6 second as the system is set on 4b but the
receiver does register that the mare is lying in this position. After the contraction the mare will prepare herself for the following
contraction. She does this by coming out of the totally lateral position. If the Birth Alarm registers this movement within a period of
3 minutes after the mare has lain down, the alarm activates.
Back to the Birth Alarm product page.
