02/10/2026
Mares need checking too‼️… 🐴🩷 🎀
With her owner’s permission, I’d like to share Moo’s story to encourage more people to have their mares checked.
Moo is a 21-year-old Gypsy cross Spanish mare who I’ve been checking annually for some time. During her latest visit, I noticed a small abnormal growth on her v***a.
Having seen her regularly, we knew this was a change from her previous checks. That gave us a rough window in which it had become noticeable, although we couldn’t know exactly when it started developing.
Her owner contacted the vet promptly. The lump, measuring approximately 6mm, was removed and sent away for laboratory testing.
The vet initially suspected a papilloma, but testing was needed to establish exactly what it was. Moo has previously had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) affecting an eye, so her owner understandably took this new finding seriously.
The lab confirmed SCC
This is why the health check part of my visits matters so much. A small change in an easily overlooked area deserves attention.
Please get to know what is normal for your mare. If you notice a new lump, sore, bleeding or a change in the appearance of her v***a, contact your vet.
My role is to notice changes and flag concerns; diagnosis and treatment belong with your vet.
A huge thank you to Moo’s owner for letting me share her story and for acting so quickly 🥰 Her words were, “If it helps just one mare it will be worth it.”
Our girls deserve that attention too 💛
Steph x
