mare in heat? signs?

[kdtexas]

Are swollen breast one of the signs of a mare in heat? Liberty's breast were very puffy last night; I have never felt them so huge; today they are normal.

(she did had a mild case of colic last evening but that is all passed; thank goodness; got some mineral oil down her, no gut sounds, and walked her; she kept picking up her back feet and drawing them up like she was in pain) but the swollen breasts were a surprise; I feel her breasts often just so she is use to me rubbing her and I r(emove debris that is dried up between the teats and just rub her belly;she loves it; she lifts her back leg so I can more easily get back there!!

Anyway, just don't recall if swollen breasts are one of the signs of heat? Her back end was dry and haven't noticed any other signs. She was 2 yrs old the 20th of this month.

thanks for any thoughts on this!

 

[Jill]

I do not believe that swollen udder is a sign of heat in horses. I have 6 mares here and I have not ever noticed that happening with them when they are in heat, but there are medical conditions that could cause this, like mastitis (sp?), though I do not know what causes that. Others would know.

The signs of heat in my "little ladies" is that they squeal and pee and wink their private places. Some mares show no signs at all if there is not a stallion around to show off for.

 

[kdtexas]

thank you Jill for your reply. She is acting fine; I haven't ever noticed any of the traditional "heat" signs since I've had her since she was 6 months old (now 2); I just have one other mini and he is a 13 yr old gelding. I'll have to check her udders again and actually look at them to see if any thing else may be going on. they feel fine, no discharge; just were swollen and soft, puffy. Hubby can hold her up on her back legs and I can get a good look. no response when I feel them so appears no sensitivity to touch. all else is normal in her behavior.

I wonder if her mild colic may have been caused by eating a plant/weed that was poison and the swollen udders were also a reaction?

kinda unusual and I'll watch.

 

[Boinky]

Ok A.) are ylu possitive that she wasnt' bred with a previous owner? B.) has she EVER been bred? some mares bag up annually weather they are bred or not. this could be whats' going on with her.

 

[MInx]

I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you, but I do have a question related to this.

If you have say two mares together, do they tend to regulate themselves and come into heat pretty well together? I mean at the same times?

I heard somewhere they do and am geting a new mare next month.

Maxine

 

[Boinky]

yes most of my mares cycle abou tthe same time if not the same weeks.

 

[kdtexas]

Boinky, yes I'm positive she has never been bred; I've had her since she was 6 months old and I don't own or live near any stallions. She has never left my home since I got her and no visitors. Maybe she just bagged up like you said as part of an annual thing. I just checked her and the udders are normal again; not swollen up at all. Just a strange occurance I guess. But I"m writing down the date just for a future reference. I think it's a good idea to keep a health journal on your pets. At my age I tend to forget actual dates; maybe not the incident; but I will be off on how long ago something occurred.

have a good day and thanks for you comments and concern.

 

[Boinky]

oh one more idea.is she on any sort of meds? sometimes meds will do that. I had a mare that was on an antibiotic and an inhibitor for an alergic reaction type thing (trying to think of the name..havign a brain cramp..lol). she bagged up and even had fluids.. definatly not bred or anything. Not sure if it was the antihistimine or the antibiotic but one or the other seemed to cause it.

 

[kdtexas]

Boinky, no she is not on any meds.

I guess we just have an unsolved mystery!

thanks again!

kd