🐴 pH Testing of Milk Predicts Foaling Time in Mares: 2025 Accuracy You Can Count On 📊🍼

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Anyone who’s waited on a pregnant mare knows the stress of guessing when foaling will begin. In 2025, pH testing of the mare’s milk provides an accurate, low-cost method to help predict foaling and save you countless sleepless nights. 🧠🐎

📅 Why Predicting Foaling Matters

Even with a known breeding date, mares can foal as early as day 320 or as late as 370. That’s a huge range, and foaling can occur suddenly—even without warning signs. 👀

Early detection helps with:

• 🍼 Ensuring a safe delivery
• 📸 Monitoring the foal's first breath and nursing
• 🚨 Immediate intervention if complications arise

🧪 Traditional Testing: Calcium Strips

For years, breeders have relied on calcium and electrolyte test strips to monitor mare milk. These tests are effective but require mixing, timing, and practice to interpret. 🧬

📉 Newer Method: Milk pH Testing

A technique developed in Japan and confirmed by U.S. veterinarians now uses simple milk pH strips—offering similar accuracy with less cost and complexity. ✅

How It Works:

• 🐴 Milk a small drop from the mare’s teat
• 📄 Apply directly to a pH test strip
• ⏱️ Read the pH value immediately—no mixing required

This method is simple, fast, and accessible to most horse owners. 🧠

📊 What the Numbers Mean

Based on recent research:

• 📉 If pH is ≤ 6.4, the mare has a 97.7% chance of foaling within 72 hours
• 📈 If pH is > 6.4, there is a 99.4% chance she will NOT foal in the next 24 hours

That’s incredibly helpful when deciding whether you need to stay up watching the foaling stall or can finally get a few hours of sleep. 😴

🧾 Supplies You’ll Need

• 📄 pH paper strips with a narrow range (5.5–8.0)
• 🔬 Scale broken down into tenths of a unit for better precision
• 💧 Clean hands or gloves to collect a small milk sample

These strips are available online and can be purchased from veterinary or scientific supply stores. 🛒

💬 Tips for Best Results

• 🕓 Test once daily after day 320 of gestation
• 🧼 Clean the udder gently before collecting milk
• 📏 Document each pH result to watch for trends

When the pH begins to trend down toward 6.4, be on high alert—foaling is imminent. 🚨

📲 Ask A Vet for Foaling Monitoring Plans

Need help using pH strips or setting up a foaling prediction chart? Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App to get step-by-step instructions and foal-readiness checklists. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can help you monitor milk changes, calculate gestation timelines, and stay ready for action. 💬🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, predicting when your mare will foal is easier and more affordable than ever. Milk pH testing provides a simple, science-backed window into foaling readiness—so you’re prepared when it counts. 🐣🐎

Ready to build your foaling kit? Visit AskAVet.com for help getting started 🐴📊