The Composition of Mare's Milk

Abstract

Samples of milk from one hundred and forty-two mares have been analysed for the purpose of determining the percentage of solids, protein, fat, lactose and ash.Of this number, thirty-eight samples were taken during the period of colostrum secretion and one hundred and four were colostrum-free milks.The average composition of the milk of British mares has been found to be in close agreement with that of continental mares. The only marked difference is in the percentage of ash.The average percentage of ash in the milk of continental mares is 0·38 and in the milk of British mares 0·51. It has been found that in the lighter British breeds (Ponies and Thoroughbreds) the ash content is similar to that of the continental mares, whereas in the heavier breeds (Clydesdales and Shires) the percentage of ash is appreciably greater.