Question about lactating mare

[Bright_Spark]

Not sure if this should be in the vet forum, but thought I'd try here first.

Brief history: Amber had a foal in Febuary and lost him in March (joint infection). She went back into the vets in April for a hock enthroscpy (sp). While she was there, a foal lost their mum.

My vet asked if I'd be willing to let them try testing Amber for milk so she could foster. I agreed but she wasn't producing any and my vet said it was unlikely that they could get her to produce any.

Last week I was cleaning her udders and noticed that she was producing milk. This is the only time I have seen her do this.

Was wondering if this was normal or should I get her checked over?

Thanks,

H

 

[pocomoto]

I would get her checked out there could be something wrong as mares dont generally come into milk without stimulus, like a foal around especially this time of year going into winter.

 

[Bright_Spark]

Thanks for your reply.

There is a foal at the yard currently, born a couple of months ago, but Amber has only seen him recently (he was in a field with his mum seperate until a couple of weeks ago). Could this have triggered something off?

Will get her checked out, but was wondering if something has caused her to have milk.

 

[rabatsa]

A Flush of grass or feed could stimulate her milk production without a foal being around.

 

[pocomoto]

It could well be, I know of mares that are used as fosters which will come into milk when introduced to a foal. But it's worth checking just in case.