Broodmare has large swelling between front legs?

[amieb123]

When bringing in my mare last night i noticed she had a large circular swelling between her front legs. Its quite flat and round and covers the whole area between her two legs. Its quite wobbly and doesnt cause her any discomfort. Any ideas what it could be? She has another week or so to go before she is due to foal. Just i bit concerned as i haven't seen anything like this before.

 

[Tempi]

it will be an edema, which is quite common in pregnant mares:

As mares near foaling, there is often a plaque of swelling (edema) which develops from the udder forward along the under-belly. This results from interference with the mare’s circulation from the large weight of the pregnancy. Although this can become quite impressive as foaling approaches, it usually does not indicate a problem and resolves quickly after the mare foals. Often there is “stocking up”(swelling) of the hind legs as well, which also resolves quickly after foaling.

My mare had one between her front legs before she foaled. Although it says above its normally along the underbelly i think it can be between the front legs aswell. my vet was not worried and it went after she had foaled (she got hers about 3 weeks prior to foaling).

 

[amieb123]

thanks for that, nothing to worry about then?

 

[Tempi]

No, my vet told me quite a few horses get edemas prior to foaling

However if you are worried i would get the vet to check just in case.

 

[minmax]

My mare had it too. Like a flat slab under her. Vet not bothered, said cuold be due to good grass??