horses

Question
if a mare is dripping milk but doesn't have a full bag, is this a sign of pregnancy? She has had no contact with a stallion since I purchased her last August. She was separated from a four month old filly when I got her.

Answer
Hi Brenda,
Generally a mare dripping milk would be a sign of impending foaling, not just a pregnancy.  Some mare's udders will not fill until right before foaling, or right after foaling.  But considering that you purchased her in August and her filly was only 4 months old at the time, the chances of her being close enough to foaling to be dripping milk are pretty slim.
If she is far enough along to actually be dripping milk, she should look pregnant and you would be able to feel and see the foal moving.

There are some illnesses and diseases that will cause a mare to have enough milk to be dripping while not pregnant.

There are also mares who will continue to have milk for awhile after weaning their foals, but they shouldn't be actually dripping, considering she was taken from her foal about 6 months ago.  

This could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or something else.  I would recommend talking with your vet about it.

Best of luck,
Sandy