Pregnant?

Question
I have a wonderful hanovarian mare. i have had her since July 2008 and since then she has always been with me.
She was a rescue from a starvation home and when i first got her she was already lactating so i didnt really give it much thought. She is NOT MUCH bigger in the belly but at the same time she is such a big mare i dont know if i would notice it. Right now her bag as swollon just a little and it is a little redder as well as some of the vains are becoming more pronounced. I am just wondering if there is cause for concern about her possibly being pregnant.
What do you think?
Thank you!

Answer
Hi Mianna,
           Congratulations on rescuing the mare. Since she has had a foal before she would already have milk veins. They would only grow more pronounced if she was in foal. Do you know if the mare was exposed to a stallion? The veins are the milk veins and they become more pronounced the last few weeks of pregnancy. Some other signs to look for, are her belly becoming "V" shaped. As she gets closer, her udder will fill and her back end will become like jello. The best way to find out is to bring her to a Vet to be palpated. This way you can find out if she is in foal and if so, you can make sure that you are set for the delivery.

Lisa