Horse milk, also named mare’s milk or equine milk, has been used for centuries as a nutritional drink and, more recently, as a dietary supplement that can help with many health issues.
At Equilac®, we have summarized the most important facts about horse milk.
History of horse milk
With a history of more than 2,000 years, mare’s milk has had a tangible impact on the health and well-being of many people in history. The origin of horse milk dates back to the ancient Greeks. They believed the Amazons, a legendary tribe of women warriors, nursed their children on mare’s milk.
The Egyptian queen Cleopatra bathed in sour donkey milk to reduce wrinkles and retain her youthful beauty. The sour milk acts as a mild peeling, stripping away dead skin cells and revealing smoother, glowing skin beneath.
In the middle of the 19th century, Russian doctors recommended fermented mare milk as a treatment for tuberculosis. While the effectiveness of this disease is not known, Russian writers like Leo Tolstoy and Anton Chekhov were supporters of horse milk as a key to improved health.
Horse milk today
In the 1990s, horse milk became more well-known in Europe, especially in countries such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, where horse dairy farms offered fresh or frozen horse milk to users with health problems.
In 1999, our Equilac® horse dairy farm was the first to produce mare’s milk in capsules, making horse milk accessible to everyone through pharmacies.
Composition of horse milk
The nutritional value of horse milk is very close to breast milk. The well-balanced nutrients in horse milk boost the immune system and support the digestive system and intestinal flora. Various health issues can arise when these are weakened.
An essential ingredient in horse milk is lactoferrin, an anti-inflammatory protein that also can be found in breast milk and colostrum. A European Food Research and Technology study shows that lactoferrin, lysozyme, and calcium work together as an anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antibacterial substance. They are helpful for those with autoimmune disorders related to skin, allergies, and other health problems.
Health benefits of horse milk
Horse milk offers many health benefits for those who take Equilac® capsules or drink fresh horse milk. It can be a natural remedy to help relieve skin problems, strengthen the immune system, improve the intestinal flora, and help against allergies.
Horse milk is often used for the following health issues:
Horse milk for skin conditions
Horse milk relieves skin problems from within, at the source of the skin issue, instead of suppressing only the external symptoms with topical treatments like hydrocortisone. Horse milk can complement other (medical) treatments and help manage symptoms of skin-related autoimmune disorders.
Horse milk has shown positive results in treating the following skin problems:
- Psoriasis: Horse milk can be an alternative treatment, especially when traditional treatments fail to show results. It can alleviate psoriasis symptoms from within, helping to prevent flare-ups and provide long-term relief from psoriasis. Read more about how horse milk can help with psoriasis
- Eczema: As a natural remedy, horse milk can help combat the symptoms and causes of eczema from within.
- Acne: Horse milk can help combat acne from the inside out, providing a comprehensive approach to clearer skin.
Horse milk and the immune system
Horse milk can increase your resistance to bacterial illnesses and viruses, especially for babies and children. Horse milk is rich in immunoglobulins (antibodies), lactoferrin, and lysozyme, which are proteins that support the immune system.
Horse milk and the intestinal flora
The antibacterial nature of horse milk can promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, which leads to a healthy intestinal flora and digestive system.
A healthy gut can improve the function of the gastrointestinal tract. It can reduce the symptoms of some digestive disorders, including Crohn’s disease and other chronic stomach and intestinal conditions. According to research, drinking mare’s milk for people with Crohn’s disease can lower abdominal pain, reduce blood visible in stools, and minimize dependence on other medicines.
The main reasons for these positive effects are horse milk’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. By drinking horse milk, patients may be able to stop the progress of Crohn’s disease or even reverse some of its symptoms.
Horse milk against allergies
A Pediatric Allergy and Immunology study has shown that horse milk is well tolerated by nearly 96 percent of cow’s milk allergy children. These results do not relate to lactose intolerance, sensitivity, or an allergic response. The research found that adding horse milk to a diet increased the number of beneficial microbes in the gut, which can be essential in reducing allergic reactions to foods.
The anti-inflammatory properties of horse milk can also provide added protection against some forms of asthma in babies and children.
Horse milk products
There are several ways to use horse milk, depending on your region and why you want to consume horse milk. Horse milk can be a dietary supplement for better health, a beauty product, or a gastronomic experience while traveling through Mongolia.
Below is a summary of the horse milk products available today:
Fresh and frozen horse milk
Raw horse milk is best for everyone fortunate to live near a horse dairy farm.
Fresh and unpasteurized horse milk, available at European horse milk farms, is suitable to drink for up to three days, and frozen horse milk can be kept for up to 6 months at -18 °C (-0.4 °F).
Fermented horse milk or koumiss
Fermented horse milk or koumiss (kumis) is produced by fermenting raw unpasteurized mare’s milk for up to five hours at a temperature of 27 °C (81 °F). This fermented mare’s milk has a low alcohol volume and can be stored for extended periods. Kumis can be found in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and some Central Asian countries.
You can also make yogurt from horse milk; this is available at some European horse milk farms.
Horse milk in capsules
Horse milk in a fresh or frozen form is difficult to purchase in most countries. As a result, dietary supplements with horse milk powder in capsules or tablets are a better solution for daily intake.
The easy-to-take horse milk capsules give more people access to horse milk because they are easy to ship, have a long shelf life of up to 18 months, and are available in pharmacies. It is recommended to use horse milk capsules for three months to determine whether these have the desired effect on your health.
Horse milk powder
Powdered horse milk is made by freeze-drying or spray-drying fresh mare’s milk, so 91% of the water present is dried from the horse milk. Both processes are done carefully without damaging the nutritional value of the finished horse milk powder, so the powder keeps its health benefits.
Mare’s milk in powder is a more practical solution for long-term shelf life, without adding preservatives, and can be mixed for consumption in cold water or cold food like yogurt.
Horse milk cosmetics
Horse milk’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties have made it an attractive ingredient in skin cream, body lotion, shampoo, and soap. Ideal for people with sensitive skin or a dry scalp. Skincare products based on horse milk can be complementary when treating skin issues with horse milk capsules.
Horse milk cheese
Some horse milk farms produce cheese from mare’s milk. The lower casein and fat content in horse milk makes it less fitting for making cheese because you need up to 20 liters (5.28 gallons) of horse milk to produce one kilogram of cheese; this makes the cheese expensive.
Frequently asked questions
Read our FAQ section to learn more about horse milk and Equilac® horse milk capsules. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Feel free to contact us for further information.
Where to buy horse milk?
If you do not live near a horse dairy farm, you can purchase our Equilac® capsules via this website for $125 for a 3-month treatment. Equilac® ensures that you have easy access to the consumption of horse milk wherever you are.
What is the price of horse milk?
Horse milk costs about $10 per liter (33.8 fl. oz) for fresh or frozen horse milk, which equates to $75 per month if you want to follow a cure with liquid horse milk. Raw and frozen horse milk is available from horse dairy farms.
Is horse milk safe to use?
Horse milk can temporarily worsen symptoms and is not recommended for those with lactose allergies or pregnant women. While it offers many health benefits, it can have side effects. It’s crucial to consult a doctor if lactose intolerant or allergic to horses.
Is horse milk halal?
Horse milk is deemed halal under Islamic dietary rules since neither the Quran nor Hadith prohibits its consumption. Horses are viewed as clean animals, making their milk acceptable for consumption. For horse milk capsules, the material counts: capsules from bovine gelatine are halal if derived from Islamically slaughtered cows. Meanwhile, HPMC capsules, being vegetarian, are naturally halal as they’re free from animal derivatives.
How is horse milk made?
Depending on where the horse milk is produced, it may be collected by hand-milking a mare or by using a milking machine adjusted to the mare’s udder. Machine milking guarantees that horse milk is produced according to international hygiene regulations. The mares are treated gently to ensure they can secret milk in an animal-friendly and comfortable way.
Has horse milk been researched?
While all the known benefits of horse milk have not been thoroughly researched, existing studies on mare’s milk indicate that it can have significant benefits.
Can I use horse milk for pets?
Pets such as dogs and cats also benefit from horse milk powder; it can solve skin and coat problems, allergies, and gastrointestinal problems and maintain a healthy, shiny coat. The powder can be sprinkled or mixed in animal feed or lukewarm water. The powdered horse milk can also be used as a milk replacer for motherless foals.
