The ungulates possess an epteriochondrial placenta, which separates the maternal and foetal blood systems and thus reduces the permeability of the placenta to small molecules. Thus, in these species, the colostral imminoglobulins are the main source of protection factors which aid survival in the first days of life. This review deals with several aspects of passive immunity in ungulate neonates: the type and the origin of colostral immunoglobulins and factors which influence their production in the mother and their absorption form the gastrointestinal tract of the neonate. Recommendations for farmes to enhance natural postnatal immunity and recent technological advances in the production of immunoglobulin preparations are discussed.