Horse Forum: Milking Pregnant Mare

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Author

Topic: Milking Pregnant Mare

MissBandit
Member
Member # 1377

posted May 10, 2004 10:18 AM

I learned on this forum that milking a pregnant mare can send her into early labour. Two folks have recently disagreed with this.

Can someone please clear this up b/c I don't want to be giving false info out. Thanks!

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You know you are a horse person when...
...You pull change from your pocket , and hay falls out.
...you yell at the kids, and the horse's name pops out.
...you actually get to a point where flies don't bother you so much.

Posts: 2292 | From: BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2004

Shimmer62
Member
Member # 2299

posted May 10, 2004 10:21 AM

I have heard that also but I am not 100% sure it is true. I dont think it would be a good idea anyway to milk her.

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I LOVE MY OTOE MASTER MAMA & BABY

Posts: 244 | From: Porterville California | Registered: Apr 2004

Blistering Winds
Member
Member # 843

posted May 10, 2004 10:40 AM

When you milk a mare, what happens is that you will trigger Prolactin to produce more milk. IN this process, Progesterone decreases, Estrogen increases, which starts uterine contractions. Also, oxytocin begins to be produced during the late phases of pregnancy, which helps bring on the Braxton Hicks Contractions. (practice contractions). As Progesterone decreases, oxytocin increases (usually porportional to each other) and WHAM. YOu have full onset of labor.

You basically start the labor process by milking because the body starts getting confused, thinking that the baby has already been born. Which messes EVERYTHING up. Plus, if you start milking, the body will trigger the colostrum to be finished being made, which is ONLY made once!!! Which means, no colostrum for when the baby is ACTUALLY born!

If you have EVERY breast fed a child, you would TOTALLY understand the process. As the baby feeds, you literally start cramping down in the uterus because of the steroids kicking into gear. This happens through the WHOLE time of breast feeding. You will feel your abdomin tighten up, at least I did when I breast fed. Was VERY interesting. Now, after going through a Reproductive Physiology course, I totally understand why now. [Big Grin]

Hope I made sense SOMEWHAT!! If not, I'll try to re-word it better.

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Horses should not be treated as people. They should be respected for who they are and what they are capable of doing!

Born Free Now Expensive

Posts: 4337 | From: Texas | Registered: Oct 2003

Shimmer62
Member
Member # 2299

posted May 10, 2004 11:01 AM

That makes since. When my foal nurses I can see my mare's stomach tighten up. Hmmm very interesting [Smile]

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I LOVE MY OTOE MASTER MAMA & BABY

Posts: 244 | From: Porterville California | Registered: Apr 2004

hay burner
Member
Member # 1983

posted May 10, 2004 04:24 PM

i dont know if u wrote this & i missed it but would it also lower colustrum levels????

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is it the smell of sweat on there neck
their lovin personality well whatever it is its just sumthin u cant get from a pet hamster!
Morgan

Posts: 425 | From: Kamloops | Registered: Mar 2004

Blistering Winds
Member
Member # 843

posted May 10, 2004 04:26 PM

Colostrum is the first milk made. It is rich with everything, and thicker. If you milk the mare early, the colostrum will be made, which will basically be wasted, because after a period of time, the colostrum will be no good and the body will absorb it. BUT, it won't be re-made either.

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Horses should not be treated as people. They should be respected for who they are and what they are capable of doing!

Born Free Now Expensive

Posts: 4337 | From: Texas | Registered: Oct 2003

MissBandit
Member
Member # 1377

posted May 10, 2004 10:18 PM

Thanks BW, I thought I was on the right track. Just need to double check once and awhile. [Razz]

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You know you are a horse person when...
...You pull change from your pocket , and hay falls out.
...you yell at the kids, and the horse's name pops out.
...you actually get to a point where flies don't bother you so much.

Posts: 2292 | From: BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2004

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