Dependence between ‘heat diarrhoea’ traits in foals and mares’ milk composition

Abstract

Growth and development of foals is highly influenced by different factors during the period they spend with their mothers. One of the most interesting and not really recognised phenomena is first foals’ diarrhoea called ‘heat diarrhoea’ or ‘heat scours’. This diarrhoea occurs during first 2-3 weeks after birth in most of horse breeds (Deskur et al. 1978, Gustafsson 1998). Until today there is no exact explanation of this phenomenon – most vets describe it as a pathological infection due to viruses or bacteria, parasitologists explain it as an early invasion of some nematodes, physiologists describe it as a result of changes in intestines and breeders clarify it as a result of changing in mare's milk composition related to her heat. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between first diarrhoea occurrence, its duration and intensity and mares’ milk composition.The research was carried out on 30 Arabian mares and their foals. Milk samples were collected to evaluate the main components and macroelements.

Production technology, nutritional, and microbiological investigation of traditionally fermented mare milk (Chigee) from Xilin Gol in China

“…The fat content (1.11%) of mare milk was less than that of cow (3.7%), sheep (6.8%), goat (3.8%), buffalo (4.7%), camel (3.8%), yak (5.6%), and human (3.8%) milk (Uniacke-Lowe et al, 2010). The protein and fat contents of Mongolia horse in Xilin Gol are more than Haflinger and Lusitano (Mariani et al, 2001;Santos & Silvestre, 2008), and less than Arabian and Russian heavy mare (Pieszka & Kulisa, 2003;Stoyanova, Abramova, & Ladoto, 1988).…”