05/01/2026
Colostrum is liquid gold for newborn foals and having a quality bank on hand can truly be life-saving.
At Star Mountain Equine Reproduction, we always recommend collecting and storing colostrum from mares with excellent quality so you’re prepared if a foal ever needs extra support.
🍼 How much is safe to bank?
You can safely collect about 8–16 oz from a mare shortly after foaling, as long as the foal has nursed and received adequate colostrum first. The foal always comes first. We like to freeze in smaller amounts 60-120 per freezer bag for easy storage.
🧪 Best practices for collection & storage:
• Use a clean filter (we use a semen filter) to remove debris
• Store in freezer-safe bags or containers, you can use human breast milk storage freezer bags
• Label clearly with:
– Mare’s name
– Colostrum quality, use a colostrum refractometer to test quality
– Date collected
❄️ Freeze promptly and store flat for easy thawing later. When needed, thaw slowly in warm water, never microwave, as it can destroy vital antibodies. You can safely store in freezer for 1-2 years.
Being prepared ahead of time can make all the difference in those critical first hours of a foal’s life.
Supporting healthy starts, one foal at a time 💛🐴