Hubbry Logo
HippomanesHippomanesMain
Open search
Hippomanes
Community hub
Hippomanes
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Hippomanes
Hippomanes
Hippomanes
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
Hippomanes of a cow

Hippomanes (greek ἱππομανές) are brownish or olive-greenish, elastic formations that arise physiologically in female bovines and equines during pregnancy.

Formation

[edit]

The up to fist-sized hippomanes are either attached to the allantois membrane or swim freely in the allantoic fluid. Occasionally such formations also occur in ruminants (cows, sheep, goat) and pigs.[1] Similar formations have also been found in sea-cow, lemur and hippopotamus, but the objects found in the amnion and allantois are distinguishable.[1] This has caused the confusion over the word "hippomanes" in scientific literature, with propositions to use it only for objects found in Equidae pregnancies.[1]

Hippomanes arise from unconsumed and thickened nutrient fluid (histiotrophe) of the placenta, in concentric layers around the centre of allantoic calculi of tissue debris.[1] The chemical composition is different from amniotic fluid, which along with the insolubility suggests that it's not a result of a simple precipitation process, but a denatured mucoprotein complex.[2]

Hippomanes first appear in pregnant horses and zebras ca. 85 days from conception, earlier there are small white flecks of tissue debris instead.[1] The changes in hippomanes' color correspond to changes in color of allantoic fluid.[1] They are often surrounded by shed cells.

History

[edit]

Hippomanes was first named and described in Ancient Greece, with the name literally meaning "horse madness". It was used as an aphrodisiac in Ancient period.[3][4][5][6] One of the first written mentions is Aristotle describing the hippomanes circa 350BC.[1] According to Pliny the Elder,[7] the Hippomanes, which are said to be found as tough bodies on the forehead of the newborn foal, are eaten by the mare immediately after birth. If the mare was prevented from doing so, she would feel no affection for the foal and refuse to feed it, which is why it was believed that the power of love was concentrated in the hippomanes.

The vulval discharge from the mare in oestrus was also referred to as Hippomanes in antiquity and was used equally for love potions and love spells.[8][9]

In a Greek mythology tale, Glaucus, the son of Sisyphus, is devoured by his horses at the funeral games for Pelias, the father of Acastus, during the chariot race, because Aphrodite had driven them wild with Hippomanes.[10][11]

Later hippomanes has been described and used by homeopaths.[12]

A hippomane is commonly referred to among horsemen as 'foal's bread'. Its appearance at the birth of a foal (sometimes in its mouth) is regarded as a symbol of good luck. When dried, a 'foal's bread' takes the shape of a tough, leathery heart.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hippomanes

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Hippomanes is an term, literally meaning "horse madness," referring to a mythical substance believed to be derived from horses and possessing potent and maddening properties. Described variably across classical texts, it was thought to induce or irresistible desire when used in love potions or spells. In antiquity, hippomanes was coveted by , witches, and poisoners for its supposed magical efficacy, often linked to the wild, uncontrollable nature of mares during estrus. The earliest detailed account appears in Aristotle's History of Animals (c. 350 BCE), where hippomanes is portrayed as a growth on the forehead of a newborn foal, which the mare immediately bites off and consumes after birth to stimulate lactation and bonding with her offspring. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder, in Natural History (c. 77 CE, Book 8.165), elaborates on this as a black, fig-sized "love-poison" found on the foal's forehead, emitted post-foaling; if the mare ingests it first, it aids suckling, but if a human encounters its scent beforehand, it drives the person to madness. By contrast, the Roman poet Virgil in Georgics (c. 29 BCE, Book 3.280–283) depicts hippomanes as a poisonous, clammy fluid dripping from the groin of mares in heat, collected by "evil stepmothers" and mixed with herbs for harmful spells. These divergent descriptions highlight the blend of observation and folklore in ancient views, with the substance symbolizing equine passion and peril. In modern veterinary , "hippomanes" denotes benign, olive-greenish or tan aggregates of nutrient-rich fluid, shed epithelial cells, and found floating within the allantoic cavity of the equine during . These formations, which develop in concentric layers resembling tree rings, are a normal physiological occurrence in horses and similar structures appear in other species, such as bovomanes in or ovomanes in sheep. The term's retention reflects its ancient origins, though contemporary understanding dispels any notions of toxicity or magic, attributing historical beliefs to misinterpretations of these placental bodies.

Biological Characteristics

Physical Description

Hippomanes are rubbery, disc-like or slab-shaped formations typically measuring palm-sized or larger, approximately 8-10 cm in , exhibiting an elastic and floppy texture when fresh. They appear as meaty masses with colors varying from olive to light tan, , or liver-like in appearance. These structures are located within the allantoic sac of the , either attached to the allantoic or floating freely in the allantoic fluid. Color shades and textures can vary by species; for instance, hippomanes in equines are often yellowish-green and pasty, while in ruminants like sheep they present as brownish debris, and in rhinoceroses as olive-green or brownish acellular masses. Hippomanes are a normal physiological finding in pregnant mammals, commonly discovered attached to or accompanying the expelled post-parturition.

Embryological Formation

Hippomanes originate as aggregates of nutrient-rich allantoic fluid within the during in equids such as and zebras. These structures form from the concentration of fetal and desquamated epithelial cells shed from the into the allantoic cavity, initially appearing as small white flecks of tissue . By approximately 85 days post-conception, these flecks coalesce into more defined masses, marking the onset of solid structure development around early to mid- (roughly 3-6 months in , given a typical 11-month period). The step-by-step process begins with the initial secretion and shedding of epithelial cells from the into the allantoic fluid, providing sites for , proteins, and other nutrients to adhere. Over time, these aggregates gradually thicken through the accumulation of organic material, including and proteins, forming layered structures reminiscent of tree rings due to sequential depositions throughout . The masses may initially attach to the placental surface via a pedicle-like connection before detaching to float freely in the cavity, reaching full size by late . Hippomanes consist of concentrated allantoic , including fetal , desquamated epithelial cells, , proteins, and precipitates such as calcium salts, along with cellular .

Species Occurrence

Hippomanes are primarily observed in equines, including s (Equus caballus), zebras (Equus zebra), and donkeys (Equus asinus), as well as in bovines such as cows (Bos taurus) and (Bison bison), where they represent a near-universal feature of healthy . In equines, these structures form as aggregates of fluid and fetal within the allantoic sac, appearing as yellowish-green, pasty, rubbery masses that develop in layers throughout and are present in all examined cases. Multiple hippomanes can occur in a single , with representative examples measuring up to 8 cm × 5 cm in s. In bovines, hippomanes—often termed bovomanes—are similarly located in the allantoic cavity and consist of comparable organic debris from fetal fluids, serving as a normal placental component without pathological significance. They are typically smaller than those in equines, with sizes ranging from 3 cm in diameter and 1 cm in thickness in related species like buffalo. While hippomanes are most extensively described in equines and bovines, they are also reported in other s, including sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra aegagrus), where they appear as irregular brownish debris in the allantoic sac, though less frequently highlighted in literature. No occurrences have been documented in non- placental mammals, such as carnivores, indicating a specificity to placentation types.

Historical and Mythological Context

Ancient Greek and Roman Beliefs

In and Roman traditions, the term hippomanes derived from the Greek words (horse) and manēs (madness or frenzy), reflecting its association with a substance believed to induce passionate or uncontrollable akin to "horse madness." This etymology underscored the perceived intoxicating and maddening qualities of the material in . Classical sources described hippomanes in two primary forms, both tied to equine and imbued with potency. The first was a fleshy, growth, roughly the size of a dried , said to appear on the of a newborn immediately after birth; the mare would eagerly devour it to reclaim its power, but if intercepted by a or observer, it became a highly valued item. noted this excrescence as having a somewhat sweet yet bitter taste, and if dropped into water, it would cause mares to drink eagerly until consumed, enhancing its aura of rarity and enchantment. corroborated this account, emphasizing its color and fig-like size. , in his , alluded to the second form—a slimy, grape-like produced from the genitals of mares in —as a "clammy " dripping from the mare's during estrus, known to shepherds by its true name and coveted for its perilous effects. These substances were revered in antiquity for their supposed magical virtues, particularly as aphrodisiacs and charms capable of igniting uncontrollable desire. Pliny detailed how both varieties served as -poisons (philtra), with the forehead growth used to ensnare affections and the genital employed to render women more lascivious and compliant. Such charms were thought to mimic or amplify the frenzied passion of mares, extending their influence to human relationships and even the taming of wild by evoking submissive . Collection occurred clandestinely during foaling or estrus to preserve the material's efficacy, often under the cover of night to evade the mare's instinctive guarding, ensuring it remained a secret tool in rituals of seduction and control. warned of its dangers, associating it with the poisonous mixtures crafted by malevolent stepmothers for spells and incantations.

Literary and Cultural References

In Virgil's Georgics (Book 3, lines 280–283), hippomanes is portrayed as a viscous secretion from the groin of mares in heat, aptly named by shepherds for its maddening effects, which malicious stepmothers harvest to blend with herbs in harmful love potions, evoking themes of destructive desire and familial betrayal. This depiction underscores the substance's role in ancient literary motifs of enchantment and moral peril, linking equine frenzy to human vice. Pliny the Elder provides a detailed account in Natural History (Book 8, section 165), describing hippomanes as a black, fig-sized growth on the of newborn colts, eagerly consumed by the at birth unless intercepted; he attributes to it extraordinary properties as a capable of taming wild horses or igniting irresistible passion in humans when used in philtres. Pliny further notes in Book 28 (chapter 45) its virulent magical potency, warning of its use in sorcery to compel affection or obedience, thereby cementing its reputation in Roman as a boundary between the natural and the . The Roman , in his Elegies (Book 2, poem 4, lines 29–30), similarly describes hippomanes as a fluid dripping from the groin of a in , used by Thessalian witches in powerful love spells, providing an early parallel to Virgil's account. Ovid references hippomanes in Ars Amatoria (, lines 101–102) as a forbidden yet effective component of amatory spells, harvested from foals and imbued with the power to enflame lovers, reflecting its integration into didactic poetry on seduction and the perils of unchecked eros. This allusion extends the substance's symbolic weight in Roman witchcraft, where it embodies the seductive forces that disrupt social order, as implied in narratives of enchantment and divine intervention. The motif of hippomanes influenced later , appearing in medieval grimoires and herbals as an adapted element for incantations aimed at love-binding or equine pacification, preserving its ancient aura of potent, nature-derived magic. In and , it recurs in equestrian myths—such as those involving divine horses or heroic tamings—symbolizing the tension between raw passion and mastery over instinctual forces, often depicted in illustrations of classical tales to explore themes of control and abandon.

Scientific Analysis and Modern Views

Chemical Composition

Hippomanes primarily consists of condensed allantoic fluid, exhibiting a higher concentration of compared to the surrounding fetal fluids. Analyses from equine and zebra specimens reveal that it contains proteins, including albumins and other proteinaceous materials that contribute to its semi-solid, pasty consistency. are present, forming a notable portion of the , while mucopolysaccharides, indicated by hexosamine content, are also detected as key components supporting its formation from fetal secretions. Trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, , sodium, and are found in hippomanes, along with birefringent crystals including oxalates, which aid in fetal growth but do not confer any unique bioactive properties beyond standard nutritional elements. No specialized compounds, such as aphrodisiacs, have been identified in these analyses, confirming hippomanes as a non-magical, nutrient-dense aggregate derived from allantoic .

Contemporary Medical Relevance

In , particularly for equine and bovine species, routine postpartum examination of the includes assessment of the hippomanes as a standard component to confirm normal gestational development and overall health. The presence of this structure, typically one or more olive-colored, floppy masses within the allantoic cavity, is regarded as a physiological norm, reflecting proper fetal waste accumulation and placental function during . In cases where the hippomanes is absent or shows malformation, it may signal underlying gestational complications, prompting further diagnostic evaluation of maternal and fetal well-being. In , highly diluted preparations of hippomanes are employed as a homeopathic remedy, primarily for addressing conditions such as pains in children, behavioral restlessness, and certain reproductive issues like or increased , drawing from traditional provings rather than empirical data. These applications stem from historical homeopathic literature, where the substance is indicated for symptoms involving excitability and genital organ discomfort, but no randomized clinical trials validate its , aligning with broader critiques of homeopathy's base. Contemporary research on hippomanes remains limited, with seminal studies from the mid-20th century elucidating its embryological role in nutrient storage and waste processing, yet few investigations explore its potential as a biomarker for fetal viability in veterinary reproductive contexts. No mainstream human medical applications exist, constrained by ethical challenges in sourcing the material from animal placentas.

References

  1. https://pathologyandponies.ca/hippomanes/
  2. https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Latin/VirgilGeorgicsIII.php
  3. https://thehistorianshut.com/2024/02/28/hippomanes-a-most-unsettling-ingredient-for-ancient-magical-potions/
  4. https://penelope.uchicago.edu/aristotle/histanimals6.html
  5. https://www.attalus.org/pliny/hn8b.html
  6. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/232/232-h/232-h.htm
  7. https://horsesidevetguide.com/drv/Observation/910/rubbery-slab-of-tissue-found-with-placenta-after-foaling-hippomane/
  8. https://horsesidevetguide.com/drv/Diagnostic/88/placental-exam/
  9. http://www.ontario.ca/page/examining-mares-placenta-and-keeping-foaling-records
  10. https://placentation.ucsd.edu/horse.html
  11. https://placentation.ucsd.edu/sheep.html
  12. https://placentation.ucsd.edu/rhino.html
  13. https://extension.vetmed.ufl.edu/files/2013/01/Equine-placenta-marvelous-organ-and-a-lethal-weapon-updated-on-Jan-29-2.pdf
  14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6040079/
  15. https://placentation.ucsd.edu/cow.html
  16. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1270882/
  17. https://www.largeanimalreview.com/index.php/lar/article/download/33/5
  18. https://repository.up.ac.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/a69073c0-f315-4ddf-9425-2567a6892553/content
  19. https://placentation.ucsd.edu/cret.html
  20. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hippomanes
  21. https://topostext.org/work/101#6.18
  22. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41536784
  23. https://www.thelatinlibrary.com/tibullus/tibullus2.4.shtml
  24. https://www.loebclassics.com/view/ovid-art_love/1929/pb_LCL232.73.xml
  25. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27078500
  26. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/63577/63577-h/63577-h.htm
  27. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1270883/
  28. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6040080/
  29. https://www.ukvetequine.com/content/review/examination-of-the-term-placenta-the-ultimate-disposable-organ/
  30. https://www.vetlexicon.com/equis/reproduction/articles/placenta-evaluation/
  31. https://www.materiamedica.info/en/materia-medica/john-henry-clarke/hippomanes
  32. https://www.homeobook.com/hippomanes-the-horse-madness/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.