Possibly pregnant?

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Tancho

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Hello all,

I will try to keep this short - I think I know what the ultimate answer is (ie owner should grow up and get the vet out) but I was wondering what the general opinion would be.

A friend of mine has basically fallen in love with a lovely mare, she is owned by an acquaintance of both of us and he hasn't owned her very long, maybe 4 months? At first she was just riding her for him, but then expressed an interest in purchasing her. At this point he turned around and said she might be pregnant. My friend was gutted, she doesn't want to buy a possibly pregnant horse (but is tempted, I can tell) and stopped riding her straight away, whilst the owner refused to get a vet to check her to see if she is pregnant, which got me very suspicious when I was told this. Anyway, two months down the line I was talking to my friend (we only speak on FB really and see each other now and again), and asked her how things were going with the mare. At this point I didn't know about her predicament as the last she told me was that she was buying her, she explained it all to me and asked if I would go and have a look. To be honest I have no idea why, because i'm no expert, and especially on horse breeding - I guess she wanted moral support, or another opinion.

So we go down to see this lovely girly and I was really shocked at her condition but I'm honest stuck as to whether she is pregnant or has some other health condition. She has a huge belly, really hanging, but she has absolutely no fat or muscle on her back whatsoever. You can feel every rib easily, her pelvic bones are very prominent and you can see/feel her spine easily (imagine a toblerone under her skin). She also has a proper waist, I would presume that if in foal that the foal would be sitting back towards the rear of her body, but her stomach goes out from her chest cavity and then dips back in towards her body giving her a waist - basically all the hang is in the middle of her body, if that makes sense. She isn't bagged up at all and her udders are very small, as if a maiden mare. She seems very bright and happy in herself, she just doesn't look great.

The owner got very shirty with me when I asked him why he hadn't had a vet attend, as her overall condition isn't good and wouldn't they want to know if she was pregnant. His reaction was a bit OTT as I was trying my best to be very non confrontational, just asking questions I thought needed asking. He's told me that a vet is coming out this week to check her over, like he hasn't known about it for months now. My friend is letting her heart rule her head, i'm saying no - stay away - something doesn't seem right, and the owner has been dodgy. There are so many lovely horses out there after a new home that aren't in this condition :(

So I guess here are my questions:
Would it be normal for a mare to lose this much condition during pregnancy? Logic tells me no, this is a stupid question, if feeding correctly!
What other health conditions would cause these kinds of symptoms?
Any other advice you would give my friend in this situation? I'm trying not to be "that person" that sticks their oar in, but at the same time this is messing with my friends feelings, and I feel sorry for the poor mare. I'm trying to be a good friend but I really don't know what to advise her, all I can do is go with my gut feeling that says this one may be trouble - but I could be totally wrong!
Ultimately she is an adult and it is her decision, but she has asked me for honest opinions and i'm trying to be as tactful and honest as possible with her.

Thanks for reading, and a lovely big homemade cupcake drizzled in chocolate if you got to the end.
 
In the last three months of pregnancy a mare can loose a hell of a lot of condition if she is not being cared for properly and being fed a good high protein food. Just grazing is not enough for most mares. Your friend is very much letting her heart rule her head. Realistically she COULD buy the mare, and sell the foal at weaning and have a nice mare back, but would she be able to let the foal go? Would she have enough money to look after them both? Owner sounds like he is burying his head in the sand cause he can't be bothered/hasn't got the money to do what he should be.
 
I'm probably wrong, but could you not call the welfare people out on him? Sounds like there's something amiss, be it a pregnancy the needs of which aren't being met, or something more serious that he is denying vet treatment for?
 
Could be anything, worms, teeth needing doing, Cushings, being fed on very low quality fodder. Needs the vet to look at her.
 
This is a tough one! Sounds like you are being a very good friend but what a tricky situation! I definitely would recommend getting the vet out, even if your friend pays for it. As been mentioned, other things I would be thinking are worms, very high fibre/low nutrient diet, cushings. It's surprising how mares can drop off when they are pregnant. Does the owner know when she would be due?

Ultimately I do think a vet would be the best answer as they are seeing the horse in the flesh and can do the appropriate tests to get to the bottom of it.

PS - I'm also a heart-over-head type person and my feeling is that your friend should buy her to get her out of that awful place so she can get proper care!!! ;)
 
Tell your friend not to buy her. I would call the BHS or WHW and report the poor condition of the mare and then keep your distance.

My friend bought a pony who was in very poor condition and it was put down to having had a very big foal unexpectedly so she wasn't being fed accordingly. when she failed to put weight on after weaning and starting a better diet further investigation revealed a long list of issues. The little mare has been very lucky my friend has given her first class treatment and has spent a fortune on vets but it remains to be seen whether she can live the life of a normal horse comfortably and if she can't the ultimate decision will be made.

Your friend could well be buying a horsevthat will cost them thousands and break their heart.
 
I sense a barge pole would be the best option but... if your friend is commited to this then I would implore her to get a proper vetting done. A simple 2 stage review will at least give you a bit more information and the vet could easliy confirm whether or not she is pregnant while she is there.
If she is in foal is your friend capable of looking after a heavily pregnant mare and does she have the knowledge to deal with birth and a young foal or funds to pay for vet treatment in the event the birth does not go to plan?
 
abbijay said:
I sense a barge pole would be the best option but... if your friend is commited to this then I would implore her to get a proper vetting done. A simple 2 stage review will at least give you a bit more information and the vet could easliy confirm whether or not she is pregnant while she is there.
If she is in foal is your friend capable of looking after a heavily pregnant mare and does she have the knowledge to deal with birth and a young foal or funds to pay for vet treatment in the event the birth does not go to plan?
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I agree totally. I would greatly object to giving such a horrible uncaring owner even 10p as well. Call the welfare regardless.
 
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