Mare with swollen nipples & discharge

Question
I have a ten-yr-old mare that has not been exposed to a stud.  She had a live foal 13 mos. ago.  I've just started riding her some and she just recently developed swollen teats and discharges a clear liquid from both when I squeezed them.  They are soft, but enlarged. What do you suggest could be the problem?

Answer
There are several reason that your mare may be having these symptoms. The most common one is Mastitis, which is an inflammation of the mammary gland. The symptoms are fluid in the udders, swelling of the udder, the udder becomes hot and swollen. Another cause is hormonal, in the Spring a mare's body will sometimes have her produce fluids from her udder, due to the changes in her hormones. I would also check her hay and/or pasture as there are rare instances when a mare will have that sort of reaction from something she has eaten. .  

If her temperature is normal, she is eating and drinking well and if she does not seem to be in any pain, then I would just keep an eye on it.

Lisa