How Buckeye Nutrition Mare’s Milk Plus Supports Orphaned and Rejected Foals

Caring for an orphaned or rejected foal can quickly turn feeding into one of your biggest concerns. Buckeye Nutrition Mare’s Milk Plus horse milk replacer is a powdered formula made for nursing, orphaned, or rejected foals that need an alternative source of milk after receiving colostrum.

The formula contains milk-based proteins along with fat, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It is designed for free-choice feeding, helping your foal follow a feeding pattern closer to natural nursing.

Before buying a 40-pound bag, though, you should understand its nutritional profile, feeding requirements, ingredients, and practical limitations.

Buckeye Nutrition Mare’s Milk Plus is a veterinarian-recommended powdered milk replacer formulated specifically for young foals. According to Buckeye Nutrition, it can be introduced after your foal has consumed adequate colostrum.

Colostrum should be consumed during the first 12 to 24 hours because it supplies important antibodies. The product comes in a 40-pound bag. Buckeye states that one bag lasts approximately 5.5 to 8 days for foals expected to mature between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds.

As an orphan foal milk replacer, the formula uses highly digestible milk-based proteins. It is fortified with nutrients intended to address the nutritional requirements of growing foals while allowing free-choice consumption.

• Product type: Powdered milk replacer
• Intended animals: Nursing, orphaned, and rejected foals
• Package size: 40 pounds
• Crude protein: Minimum 21%
• Crude fat: Minimum 14%
• Crude fiber: Maximum 0.15%
• Lysine: Minimum 1.8%
• Feeding style: Free-choice consumption
• Preparation: Combine with cool tap water
• Serving temperature: Room temperature
• Manufacturer: Buckeye Nutrition

• Crude Protein: 21% minimum
• Crude Fat: 14% minimum
• Crude Fiber: 0.15% maximum
• Lysine: 1.8% minimum
• Calcium: 0.70% minimum and 1.20% maximum
• Phosphorus: 0.65% minimum
• Copper: 35 ppm minimum
• Zinc: 110 ppm minimum
• Selenium: 0.30 ppm minimum
• Vitamin A: 12,000 IU/lb minimum
• Vitamin D3: 1,200 IU/lb minimum
• Vitamin E: 100 IU/lb minimum
• Vitamin C: 50 mg/lb minimum

Young foals have sensitive digestive systems, making digestibility an important consideration when selecting milk replacer for foals. Buckeye uses milk-based proteins and describes them as highly digestible.

The company states that this formulation is intended to minimize digestive upset. Digestibility still does not guarantee that every foal will respond identically.

Buckeye notes that occasional diarrhea can occur during milk-replacer feeding. If this happens, its directions call for reducing Mare’s Milk Plus by 25% and gradually increasing the amount again.

Persistent diarrhea warrants contacting your veterinarian.

Preparation is fairly straightforward. Buckeye directs you to combine the powder with cool tap water and stir it using a wire whisk. The prepared milk should be served at room temperature, so warming is unnecessary.

Buckeye recommends starting at half the suggested volume. You then gradually increase consumption during the next 10 days until your foal reaches the recommended amount.

Any milk left from the previous feeding should be discarded before fresh formula is added. The manufacturer recommends preparing a fresh batch every 12 hours.

You can prepare a 24-hour supply when necessary, keeping half covered in a cool location for the following feeding. According to Buckeye's directions, refrigeration is not required.

The recommended daily amount depends on your foal's expected mature weight:

• 250-pound expected mature weight: 4 quarts of water and 2 cups of powder per day
• 500-pound expected mature weight: 8 quarts of water and 4 cups of powder per day
• 1,000-pound expected mature weight: 16 quarts of water and 8 cups of powder per day
• 1,500-pound expected mature weight: 24 quarts of water and 12 cups of powder per day
• 2,000-pound expected mature weight: 32 quarts of water and 16 cups of powder per day

One included cup holds approximately 272 grams of powder when filled to the top.

Several characteristics make Mare’s Milk Plus worth examining if you need equine milk replacer for a young foal.

• Formulated specifically for foals: The nutritional profile targets nursing, rejected, and orphaned foals.
• Milk-based proteins: Whey-based ingredients supply highly digestible protein.
• Fortified formula: Vitamins, minerals, lysine, protein, and fat are included.
• Free-choice feeding: The product is designed to support frequent consumption similar to natural nursing behavior.
• Simple preparation: You can prepare it with cool tap water rather than heating each serving.
• Clear feeding instructions: Buckeye provides quantities according to expected mature weight.
• Large 40-pound package: The bag accommodates the substantial quantities needed during early development.

No milk replacer should be purchased solely because the nutritional numbers look suitable. Your foal's age, condition, access to colostrum, expected mature weight, and veterinary recommendations matter.

One particularly important point is that Mare’s Milk Plus does not replace colostrum. Buckeye states that your foal should receive colostrum during the first 12 to 24 hours before Mare’s Milk Plus is introduced.

You should also account for these practical points:

• Feeding equipment needs to remain clean to reduce infection risk.
• Fresh, clean water should remain available.
• Unconsumed milk should be discarded before adding a fresh batch.
• Some foals can develop diarrhea while adapting to milk replacer.
• The product contains added copper and should not be fed to sheep.
• The powder should be stored in a cool, dry location.

For foals expected to mature at 1,000 to 1,500 pounds, Buckeye estimates that one 40-pound bag lasts approximately 5.5 to 8 days. That matters when estimating your total feeding budget.

A single bag may appear substantial, yet milk consumption during early growth can make several bags necessary. Availability and retail pricing can differ considerably by dealer and location, so checking Buckeye's dealer network and comparing current prices before purchasing can help you estimate the full feeding cost.

Mare’s Milk Plus is intended for the early milk-feeding stage rather than your foal's entire growth period. Buckeye's recommended feeding program lists Mare’s Milk Plus from 1 to 60 days of age.

The company lists Foal Starter from 10 to 120 days, followed by GRO ’N WIN or Growth after 120 days. Buckeye's Foal Starter is a milk-based pellet that can be fed free-choice to nursing, orphaned, or rejected foals consuming Mare’s Milk Plus.

The company recommends moving to Growth or GRO ’N WIN at approximately three to four months. That feeding structure gives you a defined route from liquid nutrition toward solid feed as your foal matures.

If you're caring for a nursing foal that cannot receive enough milk from its dam, Mare’s Milk Plus provides a formula developed specifically for this situation. Its milk-derived proteins, 21% minimum crude protein, 14% minimum crude fat, fortified vitamin and mineral profile, and free-choice feeding design are the main reasons to put it on your comparison list.

It may be particularly practical when you want a powdered foal milk replacer with detailed manufacturer feeding instructions and a formula made specifically for horses. Still, milk replacement during the earliest stage of a foal's life requires careful management.

Bottom LineYour veterinarian can help determine the appropriate feeding plan based on your foal's age, weight, health, colostrum intake, and development.

Buckeye Nutrition Mare’s Milk Plus provides a purpose-made nutritional option for orphaned, rejected, or nursing foals requiring supplemental milk. Its milk-based protein sources and fortified nutrient profile address the nutritional demands of early growth, while its free-choice feeding design supports frequent intake.

Before purchasing, calculate how many 40-pound bags you may need and discuss your feeding plan with your veterinarian. Proper preparation, clean equipment, gradual introduction, and close monitoring of your foal's digestion remain important throughout the milk-replacement period.