MASTITIS refers to inflammation of the udder. It’s a lot less common in mares than cattle. Once a mare is producing milk, her teat ducts are open and bacteria can sometimes travel up them from her skin and into the milk-producing tissues. The result is a swollen and painful udder, sometimes with swelling extending along the belly. One or both halves of the udder may be affected and an early warning sign may be a foal nursing from only one side. Dark, shiny teats and a soft, symmetrical udder are indicators of normal nursing and milk production.

Once a foal stops feeding, the teats become dry and pale grey in colour and the udder starts to fill up and swell (this could also indicate sickness and a loss of appetite in the foal, so don’t ignore any potential alarm bells!).