Why Good Quality Colostrum is So Important for Foals

The first few hours after a foal is born are some of the most important of its entire life. Unlike human babies, foals are not born with natural immunity. Instead, they rely entirely on colostrum—the thick, yellow “first milk” from the mare—to protect them from infections. Making sure your mare produces good-quality colostrum, and that your foal gets enough of it quickly, can make the difference between a healthy start and serious health problems.

 

What is Colostrum?

Colostrum is the mare’s very first milk, produced only in the first day after foaling. It’s packed with:

  • Antibodies (IgG) – to fight off infections.
  • Nutrients and energy – to get the foal up and strong.
  • Growth factors – to help bones, joints, and muscles develop.

Foals must drink colostrum within the first 12–18 hours after birth because their gut can only absorb the antibodies during this short window.

 

Factors That Affect Colostrum Quality

  • Mare nutrition during pregnancy – good feed and supplements improve antibody levels.
  • Vaccinations – mares vaccinated in late pregnancy pass on stronger protection.
  • Health and age of mare – older or sick mares may produce weaker colostrum.
  • Premature milk loss – if a mare drips milk before foaling, valuable colostrum may be lost.

 

Why Quality Nutrition is Critical for Good Colostrum

Colostrum is only as good as what the mare puts into it. Because foals are born without any antibodies of their own, the mare’s nutrition during pregnancy directly affects how strong and protective her colostrum will be.

Here’s why:

1. Building Antibodies Requires Nutrients

  • The antibodies (IgG) in colostrum don’t appear by accident—the mare’s immune system must create them.
  • To do this, she needs adequate protein, vitamins (like A, E, and D), and trace minerals (such as copper, zinc, and selenium). Without these, she simply can’t make enough antibodies to pass to her foal.

2. Energy Reserves Matter

  • Late pregnancy and early lactation are very demanding. If a mare is underfed or thin, her body will prioritize its own survival over making rich colostrum.
  • A properly fed mare has the energy reserves to produce concentrated, antibody-rich first milk.

3. Vaccination Response Relies on Nutrition

  • Even if a mare is vaccinated before foaling, she can’t respond well without strong nutrition.
  • Good feeding ensures that vaccines “take” properly, so higher levels of protection flow into her colostrum.

4. Gut Health Affects Immune Strength

  • A healthy digestive system, supported by probiotics and fiber, allows the mare to absorb nutrients efficiently.
  • This helps her immune system stay strong and produce higher IgG levels in colostrum.

5. Protecting the Foal’s Long-Term Health

  • Foals that receive high-quality colostrum from well-fed mares are stronger, stand and nurse quicker, and have fewer problems like joint infections or pneumonia.
  • Poor mare nutrition, on the other hand, is a major cause of failure of passive transfer (FPT)—when a foal does not get enough antibodies and becomes highly vulnerable.

 

Why Quality and Timing Matter

  • Stronger immunity: Good-quality colostrum has enough antibodies to protect foals from life-threatening infections.
  • Fewer health problems: Without strong immunity, foals are more likely to need expensive plasma transfusions and are at higher risk of joint infections.
  • Better development: Foals that nurse early are often stronger on their legs and less likely to have weakness or crooked joints.

 

Research Example: Belgian Mares on Equi-Shine

A study with 10 Belgian mares and foals showed the difference nutrition can make:

  • All mares were fed Equi-Shine throughout pregnancy along with good overall nutrition.
  • When tested, all 10 foals had IgG levels over 800, showing excellent transfer of immunity.
  • These foals were up and nursing within 1–2 hours of birth.
  • All had straight, normal leg structure.

Because of the strong colostrum quality, the foals avoided the common problems seen with poor nutrition and weak colostrum—such as the need for plasma transfusions or the risk of joint infections.

 

Feeding the mare well during pregnancy isn’t just about her—it’s about ensuring her foal has the best possible start in life. Quality nutrition equals quality colostrum, which equals a healthier, stronger foal. The Belgian study shows just how powerful proper feeding and supplements like Equi-Shine can be in ensuring strong immunity, fast nursing, and correct foal development.