Got Colostrum?
Be prepared.
That should be the motto of every horse owner expecting
a mare to foal.
If you are one of the thousands expecting a foal this
spring, are you prepared for the loss of the dam or
the possibility she will have no milk?
46 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
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EQUINE Health
THE WAY OF HORSES
By Eleanor Blazer
Copyright @ 2018
Colostrum is the first fluid a mare secretes from her udder
after foaling. It contains the antibodies which protect the
foal from infection. Colostrum also creates a mild laxative
effect that helps the foal pass the meconium. The meconium
is the first stool and is a thick tarry substance which
can be hard to expel.
Peak absorption time for the nutrients and antibodies in colostrum
is between two and four hours of birth. The protective
immunoglobulins in the colostrum are more concentrated
in the early hours of lactation. As time goes by milk
production will dilute the colostrum and the foal’s ability to
absorb the protective immunoglobulins decreases as the
foal’s digestive tract matures.
An average horse foal should receive 250 milliliters of colostrum
every hour for the first 6 hours of life.
Between 12 and 36 hours of age, your veterinarian should
test the foal’s blood. The blood sample is checked for IgG
concentrations. The test will show if the foal has received
the proper levels of antibodies. If the foal has not, a blood
transfusion of equine plasma should be done to insure the
foal is protected.
A normal IgG count is 800mg/dl or higher. Below 200mg/
dl and the foal’s life is in danger. Most veterinarians will
recommend a plasma transfusion at 400mg/dl or lower….
consult your veterinarian.
But what if the mare dies, has no colostrum, or won’t let the
foal nurse?
If the mare dies or won’t let the foal nurse, try to milk her.
Let the foal suck from a bottle (use a lamb nipple). Save
any extra colostrum you collect for later feedings.
If there is no colostrum you should have a backup plan.
This is where being prepared pays off.
Colostrum products available at feed or farm supply stores
are bovine (cow) based. They will not provide the antibodies
needed by a foal, but can supply some nutrients. The
foal will not be protected from infection when fed a commercial
colostrum product. A transfusion of equine plasma
will be needed. Make sure your veterinarian has some in
stock or it is quickly available.
Months before the foaling date contact large horse breeding
farms or a local dairy farm. Bovine colostrum is better
than nothing - equine plasma can be given to provide the
immunoglobulin. Ask for some colostrum and then freeze it.
Colostrum can be frozen for about two years. Frozen colostrum
should be stored at -4F (-20C). I have found the best
way to freeze it is in ice cube trays. Each cube is about
one ounce or 30 milliliters (ml.). You would need about
nine cubes every feeding for an average horse foal.
Do not thaw colostrum in the microwave! Microwaves kill
the antibodies present in the colostrum.
If you have a successful foaling with no problems - milk the
mare and freeze the colostrum. A healthy mare produces
more colostrum than a foal needs. You can collect up to
250 milliliters (8.5 ounces) from a horse mare after the foal
has sucked several times. Collect the colostrum within
six hours of foaling in order to get the most concentrated
amount. Do not collect the colostrum until after the foal
has nursed several times. Freeze and save the collected
colostrum for future use. Make sure you write a date on the
package and what the package contains.
The plasma transfusions are not as good as colostrum from
the dam. The levels of immunoglobulin are not as high.
Plus the plasma transfusions are very expensive.
There are colostrum banks throughout the country. Donations
of colostrum are welcome, and in some cases if you
donate, and then need some at a future date there is no
charge.
Be prepared!
Earn Professional Certification as Horse Trainer,
Stable Manager or Riding Instructor.
All courses are online. Visit
www.equinestudiesinstitute.org for information.
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