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Discussion on Udder Sensitivity
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Member:
hev1
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Posted on Monday, Mar 17, 2008 - 10:30 pm:
Hi: I have a first time in foal mare (5 yo) who is 7.5 months along. She absolutely refuses to have her udder handled (can't say I blame her having had two kids myself!!!), and, although I really don't have any reason to handle her there at the moment, is this going to pose a problem for the foal and/or if I have to milk her? Should I be pushing the subject with her to get her used to being handled there or will it be a battle best left to a "wait and see" attitude to see if there will ultimately be a problem? I am assuming I could always twitch her at first to allow the foal to get colostrum and, hopefully, for her to get used to the sensation? I am not sure if pushing the subject at this stage would do any good or just make her more resistant when the time comes. I am sure she is quite sensitive there!(Been there, done that!)
Thanks
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Member:
jojo15
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 - 6:02 am:
let it be... unless you have to get in there. when the foal comes they know what to do next. until that time its probably an extremely sensitive area.
For my mare? who's never been in foal, when i have to clean i use some sort of pulsating water hose, it probably feels good, numbs the area to my hand under there. Or masks the feeling. Periodically i clean in between the teats, to get the gunk out that accumulates there.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008 - 7:15 am:
Hello Boomer,
It is my experience that mares that reject their foals are usually very touchy about examination of the teats. So you may be able to avoid the rejection by getting her use to having this area handled. But I would not use a twitch: you want her to learn to enjoy the experience. Instead use the technique described in Training & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » Modifying a Horses Behavior: Conditioned Responses.
DrO
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