I need advice on mares 'bagging up' and may be some piccies if poss

[Blue-bear]

I am keeping watch on some mares due to foal for somebody and keep being asked if they are 'bagging up'. The mare that is in atm (due 28th april) has what i can only describe as a pouch just before her teats. Almost between her umbilical and her udder. So its not her actual teats that are filling.....
Im just a liitle confused what im looking at....therefore if anyone has any advice or pics to show me i would be very grateful!
T.I.A

 

[Dizzykizzy]

Sounds like oedema to me, my mare had that for quite a while before she foaled. Bagging up is different, the actual udder will start to swell.

 

[sammylou]

If it's thin and wriggly, it'll be the milk vein showing (that sometimes comes before or after bagging up)

I have a few bag pictures and will look through to see if I can find any milk vein pics for you

 

[pinkequine]

some horses get a swelling under their belly when they are due to foal. This is nothing to do with bagging up. I would look for a waxy substance on the teats or evidence of running milk.

Although if the mare runs milk for too long before the foal is borne there is a chance that the foal will not get the colostrum it requires

 

[Kilbricken]

My mare has these swellings they are not bagging up but are signs of intense milk activity going on, they usually go after foaling (varies between Mares on how long). My mare is due in a week or so and I've been Queen of udder watching!!

The following sites of which rollestone is one and you'll know it already from your sig

does show teat development....

http://www.rollestone-farm.com/FOALINGSIGNS.html

and.....

http://www.yellowhouseranch.com/foaling.htm

 

[AmyMay]

Sounds normal to me.

Have you put this in breeding? - you'll get more informed responses.