mares teats

Question
today I noticed a milky discharge dripping from both of  my mares teats. She is also very tender in this area. Teats are still reasonably small but one is a little larger than the other but they still look quite normal. The discharge is not sticky just the consistency of normal milk. She has not been with a stallion that I know of. I'm not sure of her age as I rescued her a couple of years ago but I think she is about 12. She used to be a racehorse before that. This is the first time that I know of that this has happened as I do keep a careful eye on her. hoping you can shed some light on this matter for me. regards Kathleen.

Answer
Hi Kathleen -

Other than being somehow being bred without your knowledge (stallion accessed her enclosure somehow), this mare could potentially have hormonal issues.  I would have a vet examine her if it doesn't clear up on its own really soon.  An ultrasound could confirm that she is not bred and may find a cyst on her ovary that could be the culprit.

She's lucky to have such an attentive owner Kathleen!!  Let me know how she goes.

Thank you!
Judi