Phantom pregnancy

[smurf]

So my mare had a foal 2 weeks ago (the BOGOF I have previously posted about)

We are at a livery yard and not ideally set up for a foal but making the best of it. The mare in the next paddock, as soon as my foal was born, has got really placid and sweet. And now (foal is 12 days old), she is leaking milk from her udder. To our knowledge she has never had a foal.

She does not kick off when I bring the foal in, or really seem that bothered by it.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

 

[Gloi]

Are they 100% sure she isn't pregnant too

 

[smurf]

Yes, 100%.
My BOGOF came from Ireland. This mare has been in the same home (free of colts and stallions) for several years

 

[Blanche]

Does she have ECD as that can cause mares to lactate? Hormonal imbalance for different reasons than ECD is another that can cause them to lactate. They need to keep an eye on as they can develop mastitis. It is years since I have had to deal with this so won’t say what I did to treat it as I am sure things have moved on since then.

 

[Caol Ila]

Yeah, when my mare had her BOGOF, the ancient Shetland mare in the neighbouring field started lactating and developed mastitis. Ancient Shetland definitely wasn't pregnant herself. No entire males anywhere nearby, and she hadn't left the yard for like twenty years.