Depressed Broodmare?

[Bluesilkie]

Do you think a broodmare can get depressed when not infoal? Might sound like a stupid question but I'm wondering if it's true? One of my welsh section A mares is 16 now (had her since birth) and she's had 6 foals in total. These past couple of winters she's not looked great but she's regularly wormed, has teeth done every 6 to 9 months and this time last year I had alsorts of bloodtests done but all were negative, although vet didn't think she looked bad I know my own pony I thought she looked poor but was glad to find nothing wrong with her.
Anyway, she's not foaled for 3 years and these past 2 winters she's looked her worst. Looking through photos I've relised during winters of being infoal she's looked great, plenty topline but not fat and during winters of being empty she looks awful . I would like one more foal from her (it will be kept if it's a filly and gelded if not and kept until a suitable home is found), but I thought I'd leave her due to her not looking good but now I'm wondering if that's the reason why? I once read years ago about an arab mare who'd bred every year but at 24 they decided to leave her empty but she became depressed so they covered her the following year and she was great, giving birth at 26 years old .
Would just like opinions please, no arguments about overbreeding etc as I'm well aware of that fact but as stated I've thought about it's future. Thanks

[Louise Dixon]

I do think that is possible. One of my mares is grot bags temperament wise when not in foal or suckling a foal, but as soon as she is in foal or has a foal at foot she is a delight, apart from the first 3 days after she's foaled, as she is very foal proud. We are not breeding for a bit, and my other 3 mares are happy in the field, but I have sent her out on breeding loan for this reason.

[greasedweasel]

I do find several of mine are easier keepers when they are in foal. One in particular lives out un-rugged and has a much better coat if she's in foal and is a great hairy monster when she isn't!

[pattendown]

i have the same with my girl shes 21 now and vet said as long as shes healthy she should be ok to carry on

[Bluesilkie]

Thanks