Important Information for the NCN Colostrum Donors

Collection:

-After your mare has foaled, allow the newborn foal to suckle for a few hours. This should

be sufficient time for your foal to ingest the colostrum that it will need. Every foal

should ingest at least 1 – 1.5 liters (32 – 48 ounces) of colostrum before the mare is

stripped of the colostrum remaining in the udder.

-Wash the udder of the mare. Then strip the remaining colostrum from the udder by

milking it out into a plastic container or plastic bag.

-Good colostrum should be thick and sticky! This typically indicates a good antibody level.

-Filter the colostrum with gauze into a second plastic container or plastic bag, and then immediately

freeze it.

-Frozen colostrum can be kept for at least one year in a household freezer. If the colostrum

is stored in a deep freezer, it can be kept for up to two years. Colostrum that is older

than two years has likely lost its integrity and should be discarded (unless there are no

other sources of colostrum available). Always label the plastic container with the

mare’s name, farm/business name, phone number, and date of collection.

What to do when contacted by a horse breeder needing colostrum:

-Find out what the needs of the individual are (i.e. How many foals do they need colostrum

for? How much colostrum do they need? How soon do they need it? )

-Tell the caller how much colostrum you currently have available.

-Explain any fees you will charge for the colostrum, and also if you want to sign a contract

with them for liability reasons.

-Discuss the method of exchange of the colostrum. If there are going to be FED-EX

shipping fees, determine who will pay this fee. (Colostrum may be shipped frozen

overnight with FED-EX. It must however be in a styrofoam cooler on dry ice! This will

require special labeling).

-Carry through with the decisions that were made.

Notes:

-Remember, many of the callers may be agitated, frustrated, worried and sometimes even

demanding! Please expect a variety of emotions and try to be understanding. However,

do not tolerate demands from people. Instead, explain that you are willing to help them

as best as you can but are by no means obligated to give them anything if they can’t be

civilized about it.

-Please contact the volunteers at the National Colostrum Network if :

*you are having problems with callers

*you have updates to notify us about regarding changes in address, phone number,

or the amount of colostrum you have available

*wish to voice your opinion about an experience you have had (positive or negative)

*you have names and phone numbers of potential new colostrum donors

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The National Colostrum Network was founded at the

University of Minnesota-College of Veterinary Medicine.