Avoiding mastitis.

[fidgetpants]

Posting on behalf of a friend who would like some advice from other peoples experiences.

Basically her Mare has been away 'at grass' with a foal at foot. The lady who was keeping her was doing so free of charge, in the agreement of her keeping the foal at weaning.
Unfortunately the woman is a silly mare, who after 'talking the talk' and showing us her huge amount of land with an abundance of grass, kept said mare on a little paddock which she had eaten bare, and she has come back looking like rubbish!
She also agreed to separate the mare before she was due to be picked up, and has known for about 6 weeks that she was being collected Today so has had plenty of time to sort it out. But today when we arrived to collect, she was still out with the foal! Thankfully came away and has settled into her new home with absolutely no fuss, You'd have thought she had never have a foal. But tonight her bag and teats are huge and friend is worried about the mare developing Mastitis.
Someone suggested Feeding epsom salts, but how much should she give?
Is there any advice you would give? Things to avoid, keep her in or out? and should she avoid hardfeed as some people of suggested?

Thanks in advance

[holmedown]

keep her out so she exercises

[pattendown]

i feed mine hardfeed when weaning i know some people dont but i try to keep them out so they are walking it off sont be tempted to help by expressing it off as you just keep the milk production going they will get huge but as long as they arnt hot and shes eating and drinking she should be fine

[sarahp]

Mine are out 24/7 on grass with no additions. I do nothing to the udders bar keep an eye on them and have never had one with mastitis yet - doesn't mean I never will though! I think it is spread by flies, and not as many of those around now.