whats in the mouth?

[cindyg]

I have always wondered what is the thing that is in the mouth of a newborn foal? It is oblong shaped and the color of a piece of liver and has the same consistency. My vet was here today to check out my Haflinger mare and new foal but I forgot to ask him what it is and what is its job with the unborn foal. Anybody know what it is?

[merlinsmomtwh]

I think it's called a pelt. Not sure what it is. I know that the foals first poop is known as meconium : P

[saddlebredlover]

I've heard it called a milt. They say if you put it on the roof of your barn, it brings good luck!

[TessElaine]

It's called milt....

Here is an article about it:

saddleclub.dbw.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=31

[Heather T]

Okay, I've foaled out several foals and I've never seen this. Do they swallow it? I'm so lost...yuck.

[shammy]

Neat!!!!!!!! I will be looking for one I have never noticed one before.

[cindyg]

thanks so much for the response! The article was interesting and the only thing I have ever seen writen about it. I just wonder what is it composed of? I guess it is just another of natures mysteries!!

[cookie]

We had a foal born last week, and I found this strange object nearby, very near the sack. I had no idea what it was, and am glad to know now that it was the milt. I have been puzzled because I had never seen anything like it, nor had I heard of it before. Thanks for the information.

Even if I had known what it was I don't think I would have followed folklore and thrown it on the barn roof. Burial worked well for me.

[ttjab3]

Wow, all this time on marestare I have never heard anything like that. We just had our first foaling experience on Sunday night and I didn't even knew something like that existed! Our mare foaled at 9 PM so it was dark, we just had a spotlight out on in the field, but I didn't even know to look for that in his mouth!! LOL

I went to that site and read it!! I think I will go look around the area she had him!!! I am curious.
So, if you can't find it, what does that mean??

Take care,
God Bless,
Tari

[Golden Girl]

I can truthfully say that I have found the milt a few times. It was always laying near or on the afterbirth. My friend had told me about it years ago when we were cleaning up a foaling site, all kinds of interesting things were laying around on the ground
Last year I found the one from our filly that we helped deliver. It is a weird little thing for sure. Don't think that I am superstitious enough the dry it and hang on to it though.

So it does exist, but usually gets lost in the bedding in the stall.

[asmithdq]

When our mares foal we call it the alien, because it dose not seam like it should be there.

[Diane]

I think I found milt after seeing my second mare foal.
I had been told about it, so I was looking for it.
I'd have to say, once you've found one , you'll find almost everyone after that.
I look for them now just to show others what it looks like ;D
It's gross if you ask me
I need some good luck, so I'll be throwing mine on the roof this year.
Not sure how long it will last with all the crows around here, but I'm going to try

[AZLynn]

Got milt?




Sorry, but somebody had to say it! ;D

[roni]

:-XI was thinking the same thing....LOL