Conformation of the mare and gelding

Question
Mares and Geldings.I know the difference of tempermant and behavior,but what about their conformation.They're pretty much the same except towards the back end,but what about their stomachs.My question is,Don't mares have a larger belly than the gelding and stallion so they can hold the foal.The reason I'm asking this question is because my friend kept saying how all the mares at our barn are obese and need to be cut down on food (They're not pregnant).She thinks that mares and geldings have no change what so ever in feeding and that their stomachs are the same.I feel mares have the larger stomach,because like I said,so they can carry the foal.What should I tell her?

Answer
Jenni,

Sorry, she is correct.  Mares do not have a larger belly any more than female humans do.  The tissues expand and the bones in the pelvis give and spread in response to the hormones generated during the pregnancy.  

The horses are just plain fat if they aren't in foal.

Lyn