New video on our channel: Scientists milking mares. How dairy horse breeding is developing in Kazakhstan. Science and practice in horse breeding.

A test milking of mares at the Alakol Asyl Zhylkysy kumys farm in Kazakhstan. Scientists are studying the composition of mare's milk, breeds, and dairy horse breeding methods in the field.

Scientists perform test milkings of mares, measure milk yield, and take milk samples for chemical analysis. At the same time, they collect hair follicles for genotyping—the material is sent to the biology and biotechnology laboratory in Almaty.

A three-time test milking is performed on two consecutive days. Morning, afternoon, and evening milk yields are recorded. Udder measurements, length and width, teat shape, and the presence of mammary veins are recorded. Daily milk yields are totaled.

The aim of the research was to find a link between the gene and milk production traits, to identify the milk production gene and to determine milk production traits early in the life of a foal (future filly).

We also discuss feeding and housing. Roughage and legumes are important in the diet. The quality of feeding and housing conditions directly impact milk production and milk composition.

Horses have delicate nerves, and milk yield is highly dependent on mood and stress. Calm mares produce more, so careful and gentle handling by kumys farm staff is essential.

We'll explore the differences between saumal, fresh milk, and ready-made kumiss—how the acidity, sugar, and alcohol content change during fermentation and mixing. Mare's milk is similar to human breast milk, and powdered mare's milk is now used in baby formula.

After milking, the mares return to their foals; there is enough milk for the babies until the next morning milking.

This video shows fieldwork by scientists and practitioners studying mare's milk, methods for monitoring milk yield, selecting biomaterial, and a discussion of development paths for dairy horse breeding in Kazakhstan.

⚡️From this video you will learn:
✔️ how test milking of mares is carried out at the Alakol Asyl Zhylkysy kumys farm
✔️ why hair follicles are taken for genotyping
✔️ how chemical analysis determines the composition of mare's milk
✔️ why they measureudder and teat shape
✔️ how the milk gene helps select high-yielding mares
✔️ how feeding affects the quality and quantity of milk
✔️ why a mare's mood affects milk yield
✔️ how fresh mare's milk differs from kumiss
✔️ why mare's milk is close to human milk
✔️ how scientists record data on each mare
✔️ why thousands of tests are needed to draw reliable conclusions
✔️ do foals get enough milk after milking mares