Milk is one of the most important components of nutrition in the world, being rich in nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins) and on which all the offspring of mammals depend after birth. This is also true for humans, except that they have learned to use the lactation of domesticated animals to obtain and consume their milk. In this way, humans have subjugated the horse and used it as a dairy animal in addition to labour, transportation, and warfare. Throughout history, humans have researched and compared mare's milk it to other mammals and found that mare's milk is less white and sweeter than cow's milk, due to its higher lactose and lower casein content. Mare's milk is similar in composition to humans milk, easily digestible, and low in alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin, making it an excellent substitute for people allergic to cow's milk. Different breeds of horses have similar composition of milk, there are only differences in fat content. The high milk yield in lactating mares of different breeds is between 2000 and 3000 kg or between 15 and 20 kg of milk per day. In addition to the length of lactation, milk yield is also influenced by the live weight of mares, on average between 2 and 3.5 kg of milk per 100 kg of live weight in cold-blooded and warm-blooded mares. Pony mares have a higher milk yield, namely 5 kg of milk per 100 kg of live weight. In general, cold-blooded breeds give more milk per day and throughout lactation than warm-blooded breeds.
|
