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.
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