how long before udders dry up?

[tinkerdorisalison]

Just wondered if there was anything I coud do to help.

Our new mare heather had a foal taken off her about 2 weeks ago now and her udders are still very big and swollen. She does not appear too bothered but not sure how long to leave it.

have just been washing with warm water to keep flies off


Lucy - would anything aromatherapy help? I have a few basic oils

[jap]

can she walk about freely to "walk "it off.If she has had a few foals it will take longer and wont go as far down.Penny is weaned and her bag took a few weeks to reduce.We are weaning 2 more tomorrow so lots of stress will be going on here.

[lucydales]

"Lucy - would anything aromatherapy help? I have a few basic oils "

Will have a trawl through my books and let you know (sorry my memories not what is was thanks to Isaac!)

[tinkerdorisalison]

yes she is turned out so can walk it off. I did think as she is an older mare that it will probably never go right down

[DalesLady]

took 3 weeks for Diana to lose hers so they were softer to the feel. We left her alone completely and didnt do anything other than just make sure she looked OK in herself. She was a first timer though so her bacg has more or less gone back to normal.

[Debbie]

As I've never had a mare in foal, and never had to worry about this, do you simply keep check daily that mastitis doesn't set in? How does the mare come back to 'normal'? Does milking help, or would it prolong the 'drying up' process??

[DalesLady]

Debbie, we were told to allow nature to take its course as milking off promotes more milk production so as long as the mare is comfortable and not "hot" or too solid then leave alone. If the mare is uncomfortable she can be injected to help.

[Debbie]

Thanks for that!!! I didn't know at all