Is my Filly in Foal???

Question
Hi, I live in Spain and a couple of months ago I bought a 6 year old Andalucian mare and also her 2 1/2 year old filly. The previous owner had owned them for some time, but certainly less than a year. The filly looks like she is suddenly putting on a big belly, but poor topline and no muscle tone - She is after all still a youngster herself. She is up to date with worming and her feed hasn't changed. This does not look to be a hay belly nor is it excess grass- we live in a drought region so have very little of the green stuff. Her belly is extended further back toward her flank region not at the front by her girth. Her teats are large but she is not bagged up and they are not waxy.
If she is to foal it is not a prob in itself, but are there any special precautions I should take with regard to her age?
Any help you can give would be great!!

Answer
Hi Claire,
             The only way that you will know for sure if she is pregnant is to have a vet check her. The "normal" gestation time of a mare is 340 days so that also might help you figure out when she is due. Because she is so young you are going to want to give your filly a 16% mare and foal grain and all the hay she can eat. If you have a hay shortage then add beet pulp to her grain. Being as young as she is, having a foal can stunt her growth so it is important that you make sure she is eating enough. The same issues that can affect any mare who is foaling can effect her, only more so.  Make sure you have someone who is experienced in foaling with her when she gives birth The biggest issue you may run into is her acceptance of the foal. Some fillies her age tend to associate the foal with pain and will not allow it to nurse and in rare cases will try to hurt it. Make sure that you are there when the foal first nurses and for the first hour or two so that you can keep an eye on things.

Good luck with your filly and please keep me updated.

Lisa