THERIOGENOLOGY - MARE


How to Milk Mares and Maintain Milk Production


Scott Austin, DVM, MS, DACVIM


Author’s address: University of Illinois, 1102 West Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, IL 61802; e-mail: smaustin@illinois.edu. © 2022 AAEP.


1. Introduction


When treating sick foals, it is not unusual that sup- plemental nutrition is required. Mare’s milk is the best and most natural source of nutrition, but it may be a challenge to maintain milk production in mares that are not being suckled and are being milked by hand. Mares must be milked frequently due to the small size of the cisternal compartment. Mares may be difficult to milk by hand due to dis- comfort and failure to stimulate milk letdown. There are thoughts that mares let down milk in response to normal mothering behavior rather than tactile stimulation of the teat. Milk letdown may be impaired when attempting to feed a recumbent foal. Hand milking can make the mare sore, and it may be difficult to milk the mare out completely. In- complete emptying of the udder at each milking may contribute to the decrease in milk production seen in mares that are hand milked. The continued friction of the thumb and forefinger against the mare’s skin can result in tenderness and decreased compliance of the mare. Cleanliness is essential as bacteria from the milker’s skin can lead to mastitis.


2. Materials and Methods


Milking Options Commercial milkersa are available that have a trigger operated vacuum pump and are designed to fitthe


NOTES


unique shape of the teat and udder. The pumps are not inexpensive and will wear out over time. They also do not withstand a few kicks by agitatedmares. Small studies have suggested that milk yield is higher and milking time is shorter in mares that are milked by machine compared to handmilking.1 If a commercialmilker is not available, a 60-mL sy-


ringe can easily be converted for use. The plunger should be backed up an inch, and the needle end of the syringe can be cut off with a saw. A vice can facili- tate this procedure. Tin snips are an easily available alternative to a saw. After removal of the needle end of the syringe, the plunger should be removed and placed in the barrel from the other direction. This leaves the smooth flange end that can be placed over the teat and against the udder (Fig. 1). Gentle pres- sure can then be applied, and the syringe will fill with milk. Avoid overzealous pressure and be careful to not pull the plunger out of the syringe and lose the milk. With this method, a mare can quickly and easily be milked out. Volumes of 500 mL to 1L should be obtained every 2hours.


Improve Milk Letdown


Regardless of themethod used, it is imperative to pre- pare the mare. Someone offering feed or allowing the mare to nuzzle the foal can be helpful to achieve milk letdown. A warm compress should be applied to the udder to both stimulate milk letdown and to remove smegma, dirt, and debris. After gently


AAEP PROCEEDINGS / Vol. 68 / 2022 271


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