Milk?

Question
Hello. I have a 5 year old mare. She had her first foal 2 years ago accidently. She hasnt been bred since. Since her surprise foal the stallions have been gelded (one was 3-4 yrs old and the other was her colt) last may (like not the one that just passed but the yr before). She hasnt gone into heat for many months and now she has milk. Its white and satly tasting. She is chubby but not very fat. There is a breeding farm just down the road and my mare has been known to jump the fences but I think someone would have noticed. Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Kate,

I guess the question would be when was the last time you saw her in heat?

When a mare's milk turns white prior to foaling, it will taste very sweet rather than salty, so it doesn't sound like this is white milk that is indicative of her preparing to have a foal.

I have seen mares who will continuously have white fluid that will come from their udders even when they're not pregnant.  But they will not have a full bag, just the white fluid.

It could be that she is having something going on with her hormone balance also.  It could be related to her thyroid. Also, some mares do have false pregnancies.

I would have her checked to see if she is pregnant.  If she isn't pregnant, then you need to have blood tests done to see if something is going on with her hormone levels and find out the cause.

Best of luck.