How do you check your mares milk?

tightpaycheck · 04-12-2007, 10:05 AM

I'm getting tired of waiting for this mare to foal, and I have seen a few different places that say checking the mares milk is the best indicator. All I get is a few drops that look and feel like water. Am I doing something wrong or does it just mean she isn't going to go anytime soon? Anyone know?

sorrell · 04-12-2007, 10:19 AM

You can tell, if they are fully bagged or waxed over, if not, milking won't do much. It can be clear looking. I was always told, and found it to be true, that when the milk turns from salty to sweet, the baby is due in three days or less.

tightpaycheck · 04-12-2007, 10:30 AM

No wax, but she does seem to have a full bag. She is a maiden mare. Will tasting it work even if it is clear? I thought it was supposed to be yellow then turn white? I just would really like a full nights sleep.

sorrell · 04-12-2007, 10:44 AM

The colustrum is clear. The milk doesn't usually turn white so much until after the foal has nursed a while. I usually checked once every three days or so and just tried one teat. If you aren't getting anything out, or just clear liquid, she probably has some time left.
And yes, even if it is clear there will be a taste change, you just have to make sure it isn't sweat that makes it salty!

Andaletta · 04-12-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sorrell

The colustrum is clear. The milk doesn't usually turn white so much until after the foal has nursed a while. I usually checked once every three days or so and just tried one teat. If you aren't getting anything out, or just clear liquid, she probably has some time left.
And yes, even if it is clear there will be a taste change, you just have to make sure it isn't sweat that makes it salty!

yusss yuss.. i really need to check my breeding notes again.. no read them for bout 3 years haha.. never mind.. good luck with your mare and brand new baby

Kriss2004 · 04-12-2007, 12:11 PM

When my mare Cheyenne foaled on March 29th, I had looked at her and she looked to have been getting close to foal. I rememberd about looking at the milk (never had done it before). Earlier that day she had a bit of wax, so I milked a little out of her and it was a yellowish color. Then that evening I went out again because I had some goat kids to attend to, and was curious to see what Cheyenne was doing. Well I milked her again and it was white milk. Needless to say by time I got more straw laid down, she was laying down and her water broke and she was in labor! So from now on I sure know how to check for impending births!

I dont remember who it was that had posted their website.... but thats were I got the info on milk color change.... very helpful. If no one here post b4 I get home, I will link to that website for you. VERY helpful with lots of helpful pics!

breezebayou · 04-12-2007, 01:08 PM

wow cool kriss, that happened fast.. I have heard that the milk can change very rapidly from one to the other then bam time for foaling.. Even a matter of hours. Sometimes days, but hours are not uncommon. Its cool to at least have some method to watch the mare without just wondering..

Banat · 04-12-2007, 05:06 PM

Testing the milk with a foal predicting kit has worked very well for me. I've used it 5 times and it's been accurate each time.

breezebayou · 04-12-2007, 07:46 PM

I understand that you can use a water hardness kit also, if so do you know anything about that? thanks in advance

ryu2832 · 04-13-2007, 05:29 AM

Here the article from equine reproduction: Predicting Impending Parturition in the Mare

Ruby didn't let down a bag unti lafter she foaled, and this still worked for her. It looks like yellowish think skim milk, then goes opaque white when they are about ready to foal.

The FoalWatch kit worked really well for us.

Berry's titers were fine, you don't milk out more than a few drops, still plenty for baby.

04-12-2007, 10:05 AM	#1
tightpaycheck Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NE PA Posts: 1,808 Images: 2	How do you check your mares milk? I'm getting tired of waiting for this mare to foal, and I have seen a few different places that say checking the mares milk is the best indicator. All I get is a few drops that look and feel like water. Am I doing something wrong or does it just mean she isn't going to go anytime soon? Anyone know?

04-12-2007, 12:11 PM	#6
Kriss2004 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,376 Images: 550	When my mare Cheyenne foaled on March 29th, I had looked at her and she looked to have been getting close to foal. I rememberd about looking at the milk (never had done it before). Earlier that day she had a bit of wax, so I milked a little out of her and it was a yellowish color. Then that evening I went out again because I had some goat kids to attend to, and was curious to see what Cheyenne was doing. Well I milked her again and it was white milk. Needless to say by time I got more straw laid down, she was laying down and her water broke and she was in labor! So from now on I sure know how to check for impending births! I dont remember who it was that had posted their website.... but thats were I got the info on milk color change.... very helpful. If no one here post b4 I get home, I will link to that website for you. VERY helpful with lots of helpful pics! __________________ *... a horse is a thing of such beauty... none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor.*

04-13-2007, 05:29 AM	#10
ryu2832 Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 2,903 Images: 43	Here the article from equine reproduction: Predicting Impending Parturition in the Mare Ruby didn't let down a bag unti lafter she foaled, and this still worked for her. It looks like yellowish think skim milk, then goes opaque white when they are about ready to foal. The FoalWatch kit worked really well for us. Berry's titers were fine, you don't milk out more than a few drops, still plenty for baby. __________________ Gene Pool: Warning, no lifegaurd on duty. "Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't." author Erica Jong

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04-12-2007, 10:19 AM	#2
sorrell Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,976 Images: 30 Blog Entries: 1	You can tell, if they are fully bagged or waxed over, if not, milking won't do much. It can be clear looking. I was always told, and found it to be true, that when the milk turns from salty to sweet, the baby is due in three days or less.

04-12-2007, 10:30 AM	#3
tightpaycheck Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NE PA Posts: 1,808 Images: 2	No wax, but she does seem to have a full bag. She is a maiden mare. Will tasting it work even if it is clear? I thought it was supposed to be yellow then turn white? I just would really like a full nights sleep.

04-12-2007, 10:44 AM	#4
sorrell Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,976 Images: 30 Blog Entries: 1	The colustrum is clear. The milk doesn't usually turn white so much until after the foal has nursed a while. I usually checked once every three days or so and just tried one teat. If you aren't getting anything out, or just clear liquid, she probably has some time left. And yes, even if it is clear there will be a taste change, you just have to make sure it isn't sweat that makes it salty!

04-12-2007, 01:08 PM	#7
breezebayou Full Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Images: 9	wow cool kriss, that happened fast.. I have heard that the milk can change very rapidly from one to the other then bam time for foaling.. Even a matter of hours. Sometimes days, but hours are not uncommon. Its cool to at least have some method to watch the mare without just wondering..

04-12-2007, 05:06 PM	#8
Banat Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 963 Images: 20	Testing the milk with a foal predicting kit has worked very well for me. I've used it 5 times and it's been accurate each time.

04-12-2007, 07:46 PM	#9
breezebayou Full Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 81 Images: 9	I understand that you can use a water hardness kit also, if so do you know anything about that? thanks in advance