Cocoa powder for mares with low milk production

[Dottie]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if this is a old-wives tale or if this really works?

Has any one had any expirence of using this and how much did you give?

Also in NL

Many thanks

 

[henryhorn]

It works, the tip came from Joanna Vardon and it did increase the milk production..

 

[Dottie]

Cool.
Do yo know how much was fed?....brand??!

 

[Sambertino]

We use a tablespoon per feed of Tesco's own brand Cocoa powder.
No idea if it works, but they seem to like it!!

 

[ischa]

i used it on my mare and she had boods like jordan
i used a tablespoon in each feed
so yes defently worked for her

 

[lornaA]

that sounds so weird it would have to work!

 

[Three]

Apparently some horses don't like it 'neat' so you can mix it into a big lump with golden syrup and they'll often take it like that!

 

[tinawales]

I shoved it into an old worming syringe with syrup the first time (had the vet out with oxytocin twice, rang J V for a substitute Mother and she said "try cocoa"). One tablespoon heaped went down the Section D mare. That evening some more. Next morning - no problem about forcefeeding it - she would willingly have swallowed the syringe So after that it went in her feed.

Foal was obviously getting more within hours and went on to bulk up splendidly - Mum ended up as well endowed as a Guernsey. I asked a chemist friend - he said it was something to do with the cocoa nib containing some particular chemical.

 

[jmponzo]

I have successfully used the cocoa powder for the mares.
Would like to hear experiences with the Dutch Process vs the Natural.