-Home-
Horse Information
Horse Articles
Horse Training
Horse Breeds
Horse Names
Unusual Q&A
Color Genetics
Horses for Sale
Message Forum

Horse Fun!
Free Horse Games
Jokes & Humor
Stories & Poems
Graphics & Clipart
Horse Quotes
Horse Pictures
Reader Letters
Horse Links
About / Contact
Submit Your Writing
Advertise

Do you know what milt is?
Many people, even breeders, have never heard of a foal's milt (I've also heard it is called melch or melt).

 

The milt is a fiberous substance that looks like a piece of meat or a small liver that is inside a foal's mouth at birth. It's about 3 X 4 inches in size and it's a brown color. It's thought that milt keeps fluid from entering the foal's lungs in the womb and during birth. Foals spit it out after birth.

Thanks to Leonie in Australia for sending us the photos of milt!

Apparently it was used by the 'horse whisperers' in Scotland in the 1800's. I found a web page describing it:
"Horse Whisperers possessed two important talismans or fetishes that could be used in connection with jading and drawing. These were the milt and the frog's bone. The milt is a piece of fibrous matter on the tongue of a colt..."

It was dried and carried in the clothing of the finder, or on the roof of their stable. It supposedly was magic and would ward off evil forces.

Any more information on milt, or its purpose, is greatly appreciated! I cannot find much research or info on the subject.