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  Discussion on Symmetrical swellings on mare's head
Author Message
Member:
lilo

Posted on Sunday, Dec 4, 2011 - 9:51 pm:

Hi Dr.O,

I have a question regarding 2 swellings on my mare's head. They are not warm or painful, just weird. I read the article and when I look a the diagram of the horses's head, I would think the swelling is higher than the yellow circle. I tried to take a photo, but it does not show up well. They are on both sides, perfectly symmetrical.

I will upload the photo. I tried to add an arrow pointing at one of the swellings.

I am thinking that they are receding somewhat these last few days. She is eating, drinking and quite her usual self. Just wondering if you had seen something like that in your practice.

Thanks in advance,
Lilo
Moonlight 11-30-2011
Member:
frances

Posted on Monday, Dec 5, 2011 - 9:27 am:

Are they hard or soft to the touch, Lilo?
Member:
lilo

Posted on Monday, Dec 5, 2011 - 10:13 am:

They are soft to the touch, LL.
Member:
frances

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2011 - 1:18 am:

Oh, ok. Just asking because my mare had a hard lump in a similar area some years ago. (It turned out to be a stone which had formed in a salivary gland - apparently a very rare location for one.) But since your horse's swelling is soft, it doesn't sound like the same thing.

Hope it's nothing of importance!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2011 - 7:36 am:

Hello Lilo,
I cannot see anything wrong in the images above and since it is soft and exactly the same on both sides it suggests you are looking at normal tissue. Perhaps the horse has gained a bit of weight and it shows up here? Sometimes horses that are grazing a lot will develop a little swelling in the head particularly the muzzle, so this is possible too.
DrO
Member:
lilo

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2011 - 7:15 pm:

Thanks, DrO. I have been trying to put weight on her, so I was thinking fat pads also. Then I looked at the diagram and saw that the common place for fat pads to develop is above the eyes - just filling in the hollow that is often there. So - since it does not cause a problem, I will let it go at that.
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