It is essential that the foal receive an adequate supply of colostrums. Colostrum, the mare’s first milk, is extremely rich in antibodies. It provides the foal with passive immunity to help prevent disease until its own immune system kicks in.

A foal must receive colostrums within the first 8-12 hours of life in order to absorb the antibodies. If a foal is too weak to nurse, it may be necessary to milk the mare and give the colostrums to the foal via a stomach tube.

If a mare appears to be leaking an excessive amount of milk prior to birth, you may want to consult your veterinarian. This pre-foaling milk is not typically colostrums-rich. However, the mare may be milked and the colostrums frozen to give the foal shortly after birth. For orphan foals, or mares without an adequate supply of colostrums, it is important to locate a back-up supply. Without it, the foal is at an increased risk of infections.

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