Summary
With spring now upon us, many pregnant mares are looking rotund and their owners are becoming anxious about the forthcoming birth of a foal. Although the vast majority of heavily pregnant mares proceed to have normal foalings, there are some important signs that mare owners should look out for in order to spot when things may not be going to plan. These include colic, premature mammary gland development and lactation (udder enlargement and running milk), vulval discharge (pus or blood) and swelling under the abdomen (belly).
Colic: Signs include pawing the ground, sweating, rolling, flank watching and kicking the belly. Colic can occur in any horse and frequently is due to pain originating from the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and guts). In the heavily pregnant mare, colic signs can also be the result of the foetus moving excessively or more serious conditions such as impending abortion/premature parturition or a twisted uterus (uterine torsion). If you notice your mare colicking, notify your vet immediately. If possible, without placing yourself at risk, briefly glance under the mare's tail and belly to see if any of the other signs listed in this article are also being shown. It will help your vet reach a speedy diagnosis and initiate treatment.See the full content of this document
Extract
Keep Eye On Pregnant Mare
Premature mammary gland development and lactation (udder enlargement and bagging up): The mammary gland (udder) usually develops over the last month of pregna...
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