I’m a first time breeder and have two maiden mares. I’ve read a lot about the dangers and signs of placentitis.
So gray mare is due 22 April and chestnut is due 9 may. Both are getting some swelling of and around their udders. There is no heat, no signs of dripping, etc, but I don’t want to ignore warning signs. Please let me know if this filling is normal for their stage of development, or I should call the vet. Thanks!
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All mares are a little different. I have one mare that doesn’t start to fill up until a few days before foaling and another who drips milk out of full bags weeks beforehand. If there is no unusual heat, discharge, or discomfort I wouldn’t worry. I usually make sure I feel both udders to be sure they are the same and one is not drastically different than the other. Keep in mind mares will usually wax a few days before they foal so that type of discharge is normal.
Without knowing the mares, it’s really hard to say.
Based on the pictures, I’d be more concerned about the chestnut-- her bag is looking pretty pronounced to me for a May due date. But then again, that also may be normal for her or it may just be the picture angle.
At this point, if it were me, I’d be watching for further development. If they look like they are continuing to bag up, I’d have the vet out. Milk development earlier than 300 days is cause for concern, but it also may just be edema or hormonal changes or a mare who was a dairy cow in a past life.
Chestnut mare is also overweight. Would that make a difference? She was heavy when she was bred and just has looked pregnant and huge since 4 months. She’s much larger than the gray mare, even though she’s three weeks behind. She’s been checked multiple time for twins, but she just has looked consistently farther along than I think she should have at each stage.
I’ll monitor both girls. I have a vet coming Friday anyway for a different horse and I’ll have her look at the girls at that time. Unless I seek creased filling between now and then, in which case I’ll get someone out sooner.
Thanks!
You are two months away for the first mare…nothing to worry about. In my experience what you are seeing is perfectly normal at this stage of the pregnancy.
If you see a fast “bag up” (have you seen what a full bag looks like? I expect not as this is your first time at this :winkgrin:.)
If she bags up (big bag) quickly at this stage, then yes, of course, get the vet out post haste.
A little filling (up and down) is absolutely normal at this time all the way up to foaling. 
so, both mares reduced a few days after these pictures and my worry level returned to normal.
But yesterday, the gray mare has some fairly significant filling. She’s at day 308. No dripping (but I didn’t squeeze) and sensitive to the touch.
sorry to keep asking, but is this normal or should I get the vet out?
I think you are fine.
thanks.
My vet also thinks it’s okay (based on the photos) so I think I’ll stop worrying. But I appreciate everyone’s patience and support as I do this for the first time.
I did it for the first time last year, and had the same issue! I did not sleep for 2 months.
I think you are fine. I have had some with 3/4 full udders at 308 days, but then they also foaled around day 325. Sometimes they just stall out in development or go back down. But there is nothing there that I would find alarming at this time. Using with placentitis it goes up FAST overnight. Your mares have not done that
By day 308, I wouldn’t be worried about filling at all. 
[QUOTE=ElementFarm;8579929]
thanks.
My vet also thinks it’s okay (based on the photos) so I think I’ll stop worrying. But I appreciate everyone’s patience and support as I do this for the first time. :)[/QUOTE]
You have some very experienced cyber-help on this site from seasoned breeders (aka "midwives). Not all, but a lot. Glad you posted.
I was totally udder-obsessed with my first foaling, so your concerns are perfectly normal.
Frankly, kudos to you for paying so much attention to your girls for a safe and healthy foaling. :yes:
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