Why do we not drink horse milk when we do drink cow and goat milk

Question

Why do we not drink horse milk when we do drink cow and goat milk

Answer 1

Hate to tell you this, but there is NO breed of horse that is used for "food".   The only horse meat that is consumed is in Europe where it is considered a delicacy by some.   There is not a "meat" type breed of horse as in cattle where there are Herefords, Angus, etc used for beef production and slaughter for food and Holsteins, Jersey's etc for milk production.

When horse slaughterhouses were open in the state of Georgia, 90% of the meat from slaughtered horses was shipped overseas for human consumption.    But no specific "breed" was slaughtered..........what was slaughtered were older horses in poor health, stolen horses and others  that were taken to slaughter for the money.    In this country, the USA, horse slaughter nad consumption is considered more or less taboo.  (and anyone who slaughtered my horse would be in turn slaughtered by me!)

Horse milk is used as a staple in the diets of Mongols and the Chinese in certain areas of Asia.  Mare's milk has very high nutrient and fat content from birth to about four months when the foal is starting to be weaned off of her.   After about four months the quality of the mare's milk decreases.   So, like in goats, a mare produces milk only after foaling.

Horses are not bred for milk producton and thus do not produce milk like a cow or even a goat does.   In other words, horses' milk is more trouble than it's worth to obtain.    Maybe that is why horses are not used as milk producers in this (USA) country.     Plus they have so many other uses for us to enjoy and love.    Hope this clears up some misconceptions about why mares are not milked.