Management of the lactating mare

Question 1

What is mammogenesis?

Answer 1

When the mammary tissue prepares for lactation

Question 2

When does mammogenesis occur?

Answer 2

late gestation

Question 3

What stimulates mammogenesis?

Answer 3

progesterone and oestrogen

Question 4

What is lactogenesis?

Answer 4

The initial milk production

Question 5

When does lactogenesis occur?

Answer 5

2-4 weeks pre-partum

Question 6

What stimulates lactogenesis?

Answer 6

reduced progesterone, increased prolactin, growth hormone, ICF

Question 7

What is galactopoiesis?

Answer 7

the maintenance of milk production

Question 8

What is the typical milk yield/day month 1-3 of lactation? (ponies & TBs)

Answer 8

Ponies - 5-8 lts
TBs - 10-18 lts

Question 9

What stimulates galactopoiesis?

Answer 9

prolactin, growth hormone, cortisol

Question 10

What is the milk ejection reflex?

Answer 10

Nerves in teat stimulated to trigger an afferent neural pathway - makes milk easily available to foal.

Question 11

Explain the key differences between colostrum and mature milk (0-4 weeks)

Answer 11

Energy - higher in C
Protein - higher in C
Fat - higher in C
Lactose - higher in M
Solids - higher in C

Question 12

How does mature milk composition change throughout the weeks of lactation (0-21).

Answer 12

decreasing energy, decreasing protein, decreasing fat, increased lactose, decreased solids, decreased minerals.

Question 13

What should you feed the lactating mare immediately post-partum?

Answer 13

First feed - small bran mash/sugar beet/carrots and apples
Second feed - small bran mash/sugar beet/carrots etc. mixed with usual concentrate/compound feed

Question 14

What is the recommended nutrition supply during the first three months of lactation?

Answer 14

Quality forage
Compound/concentrates
▪ Up to 35% of daily ration
▪ 12.5-14% protein
Avoid alfalfa

Question 15

What is the recommended nutrition supply after 3 months of lactation?

Answer 15

Reduce levels of concentrates gradually
Increase forage

Question 16

What care does the mare require post-partum? (immunisations, worming, foot care and dentition)

Answer 16

• Continue with regular footcare and dentition routine
• Worm according to FECs
• Continue flu and tetanus
• Gestation vaccinations cover post-partum, if back in foal vaccinate in gestation as before

Question 17

List 3 clinical conditions associated with milk production?

Answer 17

1. low milk yield
2. agalactia
3. mastitis

Question 18

What are the clinical signs of low milk yield?

Answer 18

tucked up foal

Question 19

what is the aetiology of low milk yield?

Answer 19

• Insufficient water intake
• Sore teats
• Reduced energy intake
• Low BCS

Question 20

What are the clinical signs of agalactia?

Answer 20

• Absence of milk when expected
• Foal dull/malnourished and udder empty
• Secondary effects, foal starvation and immunocompromised if colostrum intake affected

Question 21

what is the aetiology of agalactia?

Answer 21

• Poor nutrition and low BCS
• Premature parturition/abortion
• Physical or psychological stress (increase adrenaline, decrease oxytocin)
  Fescue toxicosis

Question 22

what are the clinical signs of mastitis?

Answer 22

• Hot, swollen, painful udder
• Ventral oedema and engorged mammary vein
• Clotted or stringy milk
• Mare depression, pyrexia or anorexia

Question 23

what is the aetiology of mastitis?

Answer 23

• Steptococcus equi
• Escherichia coli
• Pseudomona spp.