False Pregnancy

Question
I have a 21 yr old mare. She has ran with my 7 yr old male that is fixed since I purchased the 2 last summer. In Dec I got a 18mnth old stallion and last month a 12mnth old stallion. On this past Sat I noticed my mare has milk!!! Other then that there are no signs of pregancy. I have never had to deal with this and am so confuses. I know nothing of breedin horses. Could she be preg?

Answer
Dear Stacy

First, why would you wonder about a "false pregnancy" when your old mare is with two young stallions? Yearling stallions, not to mention 18 month old stallions may very definitely be able to impregnate a mare.  One of the things you need to know about  breeding horses is that if you put a mare and a stallion of any age in a pasture together, there is some likelihood of a pregnancy.  That aside; your mare is 21 and may have had pregnancies in the past. Many mares will get a bag in the spring because of hormonal changes. If you don't want a foal....separate your mare and the stallions and cross your fingers that December is rather late in the season and April a tad early for your mare to be cycling.  However....no guarantees here.  It depends on where you live, your weather this year and plenty of other uncertain factors.  She may or may not be pregnant.  Have your vet check her.

Lynne Curtis Gudes
"Common sense isn't."