My mare dislikes her udder being touched - she always has. I tried to de-sensitise her when she was execting her first but she was always unhappy about me touching it - she would threaten to kick or sometimes actually kick out as a warning and this didn't change all the way through her pregnancy and it did worry me.
Once the foal was born, she let her suckle no problems. She moved away from her and squealed at times but she never kicked out at the filly.
That's good to know Nuttybabez as I tried tonight and as I didn't have a death wish at the time I soon gave up.My mare has always been very ticklish and nothing has changed. She is really enjoying the deep straw bed that I put down yesterday Rachel
My mare was the same. I have always been able to do every thing with her apart from touch her udders and pull her mane! When the foal arrived it was fine, maternal instinct has alot to do with it. After the foal was weaned, no maternal instinct and not a chance in hell of me touching her udders!
I have been de-sensitsing my filly about having her belly and udder touched. i might be a bit premature though, she is only a yearling!!
having worked on TB studs and had experience of mares (one in particular stands out ) that won't let you check their bags i thought i'd get on early with Jamana. Not just cause of the foal sucking but as it is so useful to check progress before foaling and essential to check that the foal is sucking every day, very time you check. on TB studs they manually check bags every time you go in the stable and also twice a day at grass. A foal will go off suck or not suck as much, before it shows any obvious signs of illness. I'm sure you know all this, but can be useful to be reminded on a first!!
the best of luck
BTW we always call that swelling on their tummies a milk vien or milk gland as well, seems to come up when mares are starting to produce milk.
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Posted - 18 Apr 2007 : 8:57:15 PM
) that won't let you check their bags i thought i'd get on early with Jamana. Not just cause of the foal sucking but as it is so useful to check progress before foaling and essential to check that the foal is sucking every day, very time you check. on TB studs they manually check bags every time you go in the stable and also twice a day at grass. A foal will go off suck or not suck as much, before it shows any obvious signs of illness. I'm sure you know all this, but can be useful to be reminded on a first!! 
