Does milk dripping always mean pregnancy?

[kirsten]

As per the title really!
Thanks.

[marychick]

No my mare sometimes lactates this time of year. It's more common if there's a lot of clover in your field. I'd get her looked at if there's a chance of pregnancy but if not just don't touch her nipples or do anything to draw the milk out and she should dry up on her own

[highlanderpony2002]

No but if you have not owned her for more than a year and there is a possibility it is the most likely case. So if she has been in your ownership less than a year
has been longer with you but has been in with a colt even a foal If she has been covered and scanned not in foal then it is very likely you will have a foal if non of the above apply then she may well just be a mare that lactates when spring arrives but keep a close eye without touching as she may well get mastitis. Has she had a foal before or a new foal within sight smell or sound as those things can make a huge difference too

[kirsten]

Thanks..... Got her a month ago from gypsies and they had a stalllion .... They told me she has never had a foal when she very clearly has ( saggy teats and belly, wrinkly bum, very much looks like an aged broodmare) and they told me she was twelve when she is closer to nineteen. However I naiively thought she couldn't be in foal as their stallion was huge, at least 15 hh and very chunky and she is 11 2 hh. My instructor, who seems to know about breeding, looked at her today and doesn't think she is pregnant. However as soon as she drove away I saw her lactating. I will wait until ties to call out the vet to confirm one way or the other, fingers crossed nothing hapens til then!

[portiabuzz]

Sounds like it could be that's a lot of lies

[ladyndibs]

Could well be a BOGOF, good luck.

[marsayy]

Oh I hope not, as I take it you don't want one. But on the plus point my mare has had quite a few foals and she lactated her first season after her last foal was weaned. She has also had a very slight issues each time she has come into season since. I asked the vet who said its not uncommon and as each season passes its become less, I think her hormones must be settling. Wishing you luck.

[portiabuzz]

Let us know!

[lizpurlo]

Whatever happens, she's such a lucky pony to have found her way to you. Well done for taking her on, and I hope she's not in foal to such a big chap, poor little thing.

[kirsten]

thanks everyone. Will have the vet out to confirm one way or the other next week. She doesn't seem to be bagging up or anything, so maybe she is just hormonal due to the hot weather/ having had many foals before. She is such a dear little thing, and seems so grateful for attention. She whinnies and runs to me and lets my 3 yo lead her about, even when she can see good grass ( she has obviously had lami, so I am VERY careful) and although we haven't known her long she is definitely one of the family!

[ladyndibs]

How lovely that she has found you, it really does seem as though some horses really do understand what you've done, are we going to be treated to some pictures?

[portiabuzz]

Echo the above am so pleased you have her x x

Sent from my GT-I8160

[kirsten]

Thanks everyone, but the pleasure is all mine. She is so wonderful; I have had my big gelding for eight years and have always struggled with him; its so lovely to feel that someone appreciates me! I will get my OH to put up pics.

[lizpurlo]

How lovely to read that, Kirsten. Looking forward to pics.

[portiabuzz]

looking forwards here too