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Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 501
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 9:29 am: |   |
Our appy mare gave us a beautiful little foal in the wee hours this morning!!!! TALK ABOUT A SHOCK!!!! We had NO idea! My husband was out at 6 a.m. letting the horses out to pasture, and suddenly I heard the back door open and in a shaky, quivery, excited tone kept saying over and over again 'WE GOT A BABY'...WE GOT A BABY'...and I kept saying 'WHAT?' 'WHAT?' WHAT?' in the same quaky voice as I ran outside forgetting all about my inflammed knee that doesn't run...it did this morning! We can't believe it! She / he, we're not even sure yet..we'll have to check it out later today, but all was not completely well!
We have 5 horses, 2 geldings, 3 mares, including the mom appy (Sugar). All 5 horses were together but the foal was on the other side of the fence in an adjacent paddock.
First question: Sugar had numerous bite marks (she is low girl)...could she have pushed her foal through the plank fence into the adjacent paddock to keep it safe??? I should add that our corral fences are not exactly what I'd call 'foal safe', they're just 2 planks, we never planned on this.
Anyway, we booted the other 4 out to pasture and left mom and baby alone in a paddock, but they can come back in for water and be just on the other side of the 2 plank fencing from where mom and baby are now. I'm worried sick that the baby will get in with the other horses with mom on the other side! I'm at work now, but will have my mom check on them throughout the day. If the foal gets to the other side with the other 4, I'll just have her let the mare out with them all and let them mix..I guess.
We haltered mom and led her into the paddock where the baby was hoping baby would follow but he/she wouldn't, so my husband carried the foal (with a little diffulty, but not much). So, at least now they're back together.
Question 2 - we have no idea when the baby was born, sometime last night, the after birth is already kind of dried up looking, the foal is clean and already bouncing around. We saw the foal have it's first poop - I have no idea about raising a foal, this was not planned, we are unprepared parents.
Sugar is attentive to the foal but when we watched the foal try to suck, Sugar just kept spinning her hind end away from it - how do we know if the foal has sucked yet or not? It looks very healthy and alert and is likely anywhere from 1 to 8 hours old. We have NO idea.
Question 3 - Sugar has an issue with picking up her hind feet from previous abuse. She doesn't kick but farriers always have to pick up her hooves with a cotton rope around her fetlock first. She always spins away from people approaching her hind end, either side until you work with her a bit, reassuring her that she's not going to be abused. The 'abuser' used to tie her feet, by the hocks up high and leave her like that for hours, she has scars on her hocks.
My question is, is this why she's moving away from the foal when it tries to go towards her udder? I'm very worried that the foal hasn't sucked yet. Will they work it out? Am I being a 'nervous nellie'? I'm so clueless about this as we never intended to have foals.
We did halter Sugar and while I reassured her, my husband pushed the foal towards her udder and it did have a teat in it's mouth but it didn't suck, it fell asleep instead!!!
Question 3 - is it safe to put mom and foal with the other horses?
I've got a million questions - I couldn't wait to get to my computer to ask HA member's opinions.
I can't get back to them until this afternoon - my mind is reeling and it's going to be awful hard to concentrate on anything at work today but the foal's safety and well being. |
Little King Ranch
Member
Username: Eoeo
Post Number: 191
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 9:46 am: | |
You need to go home or get your hubby or someone to get that mare held and let the baby nurse. It has to have the milk produced in the first 24 hours. It is called colostrum. The baby will not get the immunities it needs and will get sick if it doesn't. This is ALL IMPORTANT!!! Get the vet to tranquilize the mare if necessary. Twitch her if you need to, to get her to stand. At this point, you might have a problem with her taking the foal and will need to hold her to let it nurse. Get someone who knows about mares and foals to help you if you know nothing. Eo |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 502
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 10:02 am: | |
I know all about colostrum and the necessity of the foal getting it. We're not even sure that it hasn't got it yet.
I'm heading home.
I have called my dad, he calves out 300 head of cattle every spring...he will meet me at home and we'll get the foal sucking. |
Angie Judson
Member
Username: Ajudson1
Post Number: 230
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 10:02 am: | |
Sherri,
Congratulations!!! I am thinking, wow, cool!!!
To answer a few of your questions to best of my knowledge: Yes I'd keep the mare and foal seperate. Yes, it's good the foal pooped already and is running around. Yes, I'd be concerned about the nursing issue; the mare not accepting him.
The foal needs to nurse as soon as possible for his sake and the mares sake. He needs the first milk, she needs to empty her bag. If she's not letting him nurse, you need to get your vet out and perhaps have him/her help out. You may have to mildly sededate the mare til she accepts the baby. I'd put her in a stall if it's big enough and start handling her teats, see if she accepts that. Let the foal nose around and see if she lets him nurse. You may have to try milking her yourself...I am not sure how soon he can get dehydrated, but that would be my concern. If this is her first foal, she may just need to learn to stand for him. It may be painful for her if her bag is full and maybe some hot towels will help.
The fact that she is attentive is a good sign. I had a 1st time mom who actually went after her colt and tried to hurt him. She never got milk, and never let him nurse no matter what we tried. I don't think that will be your case. As long as the mare gets milk in, you'll be o.k. If not, feeding a milk substitute is not that bad, but don't give up too soon on letting the mare and foal bond. Plan on spending alot of time with them....How did you go to work today??? I would still be in the barn, with a blanket and pillow, LOL!!
If you do need to go to a milk replacement, which I don't think you will, the one for goats is readily available, and less expensive than the foal lac, (think that's the name of it) We spent a fortune on the horse milk powder, plus paid for overnight delivery in the beginning. Believe me, it's worth it if you can get the mare to let him nurse!!
Good luck, can't wait to see what you post later today!!! |
Angie Judson
Member
Username: Ajudson1
Post Number: 231
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 10:10 am: | |
EO posted as I was typing mine;
Just wanted to add that the colt I raised as an orphan did not get any milk from his b**** mom, and he never was sick. He's a wonderful little gaming horse right now for his present owner, and is about 10 yrs old.
It is possible the vet gave me something for him, I don't remember. And yes the colostrum is very important, I am not downplaying the importance of it by any means.
I personally would hold off on the twitch and any other methods like that because I think you need to relax the mare. At least with mine, she got worse but it will depend on your mares personality.
Your vet may know of someone that has colostrum on hand. I think it can be kept frozen and then used? |
Linda Lashley
Member
Username: Lhenning
Post Number: 74
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 11:25 am: | |
Sherri,
Wow, what an incredible story! I'm sorry I can't help you, but there are lots of people here that know all about this. I just wanted to say congratulations and good luck to you and your hubby with your new little one.
Happy trails,
Linda |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 13349
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 11:30 am: | |
I can guarantee you Angie that if the foal lived it got some sort of immunoglobulin transfer either from the mare or the veterinarian.
Sherri it is not good enough to guess at this, first you must insure the baby gets fed in the now with the mares milk and second you have to check the IgG levels of the foal first thing in the morning. The 24 hour figure given by LKR is too long and you really only have about 12 hours for the foal to get colostrum to insure that it works as it should. For more on this and much more see Equine Reproduction » Pregnancy, Foaling, & Neonatal Care. If the mare continues to reject the foal the procedure for getting her to accept him is the same as getting foster foals on a strange mare see the foster foal heading in, Equine Diseases » Reproductive Diseases » Birthing Problems » Feeding and Caring for the Orphan Foal for the procedure.
I would keep the mare and foal separate from the others at least until you are sure he is nursing and the immunity is adequate.
DrO |
JoDeen Levanger
Member
Username: Jodeen
Post Number: 25
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 11:31 am: | |
congrats!!!!!!!!! i know it is a unexpected suprise, but you will have so much fun raising the foal. that is my favorite part of having horses. as for introducing them back to the heard. i keep them seperated for at least 2 weeks, but close enough for the others to get used to the new one. i have one mare that is to nervous on her own and i keep 2 other mares with her throughout the whole foaling time and the 2 weeks after. by the time i turn them back in with the others, all seems well. the two geldings are accually the best babysitters we have for the new ones. even when foaling the mares are close enough to the others that they know what is going on. the smell i am sure.
good luck and if you get a chance to snap a photo we would love to see the little one. |
Debbie E
Member
Username: Deggert
Post Number: 196
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 11:41 am: | |
Hi Sherri
Hopefully you are out with the baby now and not reading all our e-mails, but time is of the essence. Even after 6-8 hours many babies become hypoglycemic and all goes haywire then. Many mares do what yours is doing especially if maiden. Either sedate, twitch and or lipchain, whatever works for her temperment and milk her or let baby nurse. If the vets there I would milk at tube him to be sure. This simple but important colostrum can save you alot of trouble and heartache. Good luck and congrats!! Who could have bred this mare?
Debbie |
Cheryl Hohler
Member
Username: Chohler
Post Number: 304
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 12:28 pm: | |
Sherri if your mare won't let the foal nurse it is pretty simple to milk her and let the baby have it in a bottle. Sometimes they are pretty sore right of the bat being so full, and sensitive. I had to go as far as having the mare tied and roping a hind foot to milk her, as her sensitivity dropped she started letting the baby nurse but because I milked her he got the essentials. I'm actually better at milking horses than cows, go figure.
It's really scary at first specially if you didn't know anything about her being in foal.
I hope all is going well for you today. Good luck! |
Fran C
Member
Username: Canter
Post Number: 255
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 1:24 pm: | |
Sheri,
Congrats and Good Luck! Keep us posted as to how it goes.
My curiosity is killing me...if you have other mares and 2 geldings, how did Sugar get pregnant?!? Is she a recent rescue or purchase?
Looking forward to pix...
Fran |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 503
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 1:30 pm: | |
Update!
Good update! I raced home at about 90 mph (thank goodness for radar detectors). Thanks EO for sending me home!!!
By the time I got there Sugar and her colt (YEP, IT'S A BOY) were standing peacefully together and while I was there the baby nursed about 3 times. I could hear him slurping and I saw him latched on with my own eyes. He walks under mom, through her legs and she nickers softly whenever he gets a little too far from her side. Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. So beautiful!! They've definitely bonded. Maybe I overreacted but hey, this is new for me.
My dad and brother had been there while I was driving home and had haltered her and brought the colt over and literally manhandled him to put the 'teat' in his mouth. I guess experience with 300 head of cattle helps. They just put her in a corner beside a fence so she couldn't step sideways or backup. She stood quietly and allowed them to do whatever. The colt knew what to do.
I think maybe the bonding process didn't happen right away because the other horses were there when she foaled and she was just nervous and confused and then I think the baby laid down beside the fence and when he got up he was half way under and ended up on the other side.
He's a beauty. He is a solid chestnut with a white star and four white ankle socks, nice straight legs, one knee sock on the hind right. No spots. Do they come later? He looks healthy and happy.
You guys really were my extended horse family this morning. Thanks EO, Angie, Linda, JoDeen, Debbie and Dr. O for coming to my rescue so quickly. I'm sure I'm going to have lots of other questions.
I'll try and post a picture of the little fella tomorrow. I can't wait to get home but I HAD to be at work today...well...at least for a couple hours then I'm outta here to go see baby again.
Thank God Sugar was able to have this foal on her own unassisted. Poor girl. She had no support system because we just didn't know. I feel so bad. We thought she was just a little on the heavy side!
The person that we got her from told us that she may or may not have been exposed so we always kind of wondered but she just didn't look pregnant. She didn't have any of the signs, no protruding left side, she certainly didn't have a bag, not even yesterday, but she has one now. I had a good look while baby was nursing. |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 504
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 1:37 pm: | |
Hi Fran,
I posted before I saw your post so thank you too for your concern.
She was given to us by a girl who couldn't look after her any longer. She was likley going to end up at the auction. We didn't know much about her. This appaloosa mare is registered with good breeding and is a gorgeous mare. She's about 15.1 and has a heart of gold. We basically rescued her and my son's fiance has sort of adopted her as her mount so it all worked out great. She's quiet enough to put a 4 year old on.
Even after being abused (by the previous owners ex-husband) she still trusts people and is just a very sweet, forgiving mare. |
Holly Wood
Member
Username: Hwood
Post Number: 696
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 1:43 pm: | |
Happy, happy day to you, Sherri! The baby sounds beautiful . . . a very flashy pattern for a chestnut with the four white socks. Probably won't have spots. Do you know the breeding of the sire? Am looking forward to the photos of your new "son," Mom. I hope your husband has recovered from his shock. It may take lots of work at first, but I would definitely "foal-proof" the area (mangers, waterers, fences, gates, hooks, etc.) to avoid further worries and/or complications. Have fun. :-) |
Debbie E
Member
Username: Deggert
Post Number: 197
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 1:54 pm: | |
That is so wonderful, Sherri. I am so glad your family knew what to do and used their "calving" knowledge. She sounds like a great mare and good mom. Again, Congratulations. |
Sue G
Member
Username: Warwick
Post Number: 165
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 2:00 pm: | |
Congratulations on your new colt, Sherri, and welcome to the wonderful world of foals. His antics will give you hours of entertainment so keep the videocamera charged up and spare tapes on hand.
Don't forget to get his IgG level tested as Dr O said. It's so important.
Happy watching!
Sue |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 506
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 2:20 pm: | |
Hi again everyone,
Thanks everybody for the encouragement and for sharing my excitement and all the well wishes!
Not to worry. We are going to take every precaution to make sure this little guy has every opportunity for a healthy, happy life. I've already talked to our vet.
And you're right Holly. I was going to mow grass after work today...my plans have changed. I'll be 'baby proofing' instead.
Regarding my husband though - I'm not sure about him - he may need some counselling - he's been on the phone all morning, telling people the news and when he's not phoning other people, he's phoning me to see if anyone has gone to check on the foal every 2 minutes. It wouldn't surprise me if he was passing out cigars!
There's still one very important person to notify of the blessed event - my son's fiance is away at the lake with her parents and won't be home until tonight. My son can't wait to spring the 'baby' news on her since Sugar is really her horse.
Ain't life with horses grand!!!! |
Susan Bilsky
Member
Username: Suzeb
Post Number: 425
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 4:20 pm: | |
What a beautiful SURPRISE you had this morning and I am so glad things are looking good. CONGRATULATIONS SHERRI  ! I'll bet hubby will be hanging over the fence all night giving you a blow by blow description of what Mom and the Little Man are doing, if he's not at the lumber store already getting supplies  .
Can't wait for some pics of Mom and Baby .
Susan B. |
Debbie Green
Member
Username: Green007
Post Number: 93
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 4:37 pm: | |
Yes we all want to see pictures of the new baby! What are you going to name him? I think you need to name him "Surprise" or, of course, if he has a frisky attitude you can always name him "Spice" so you have Sugar and Spice. |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 507
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 4:38 pm: | |
Hi Susan,
I can't believe how this little critter has completely monopolized my entire day, I have done little else today besides talk about him and do foal research! I've even got a few calls from people who have heard from other people if you can believe it! Gotta love those small towns! You'd think it was the first foal ever born anywhere! Well, I guess it is...to us.
I can't wait to take some pics. He's so adorable.
I'm anxious to talk to the previous owner to get a better idea of what stud may be the father. |
Aileen
Member
Username: Sunny66
Post Number: 868
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 4:49 pm: | |
Congrats Sherri! Pictures are a must!
I like Debbie's idea for a name...Spice |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 509
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 4:56 pm: | |
Debbie,
Amazing!!! Utterly amazing!!! I was thinking Surprise would be a good name too...but Spice! Sugar & Spice - that's priceless! I'll definitely consider that one! I love it!!! Thanks for the idea! |
Ann Schrichte
Member
Username: Annes
Post Number: 96
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 5:02 pm: | |
Sherri - I know you are having a wonderful day! A similar thing happened with a new mare years ago. We found out during a checkup that she was expecting and the foal was born just 2 days later. I went out to feed that morning and the little filly was there along with her mother and my other 2 horses. Thankfully, all were fine. I will always remember how exciting and special that day was and I am so happy for you. I look forward to your updates! |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 510
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 5:20 pm: | |
Thanks Ann.
I'm going home now to, um...let's see...wash the dishes??? NOT!!!!
I can't get home quick enough. Talk to you all tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have pictures. |
Nancy S. Kaplan
Member
Username: Redalert
Post Number: 135
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 6:36 pm: | |
Hey Sherri
I read your post early this A.M. ... went to get my coffee and settle in and write you a long post! Wrote for a long time and then pushed the wrong key, and, whoosh, my post sent to hyberspace!! Oh well, not to fret, by the time I came in from the barn, about 50 people had given you excellent advice! SO GLAD your little surprise seems to be doing well!
P.S. My favorite show in the world is in your Province, in Regina! I LOVE REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN! |
Angie Judson
Member
Username: Ajudson1
Post Number: 232
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jul 14, 2005 - 9:17 pm: | |
I finally am back at home and raced right online to see how the baby was doing!! Geez, you'd think it was mine!! I got tears in my eyes seeing all the good news. YAHOO!!! I am so glad mom & son are doing great.
I think you should name him "Oops" Mr. Spicey Oops, haha.
DrO,
yes I am sure you are correct that if my colt lived he got something. I do remember having a discussion with our vet 11 yrs ago about giving our orphan foal something special for his immune system. I had just gave birth myself to my daughter 7 days before, so talk about a stressful time!! One baby at a time was enough.
Well, at least we'll all sleep good tonight knowing Sugar is being a great mom. |
Shari Robertson
Member
Username: Srobert
Post Number: 46
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 2:59 am: | |
I'm so glad you had a happy ending. I have to tell you I just about dropped over when you said the horse's name was Sugar and she was an appy becaue the exact same thing happened at our house when I was a kid. My dad came running into the house one morning and announces that there's a foal in the pasture - born to an appy named sugar! No one knew she was pregnant - not even my dad who was a dairy farmer for years and years (he has never lived this down). The summer before we had sent her to a farm for possible sale. She didn't sell, but apparently there was a stud pastured next to her.....guess mother nature doesn't let something as trivial as a few boards get in her way. Anyway, her baby was healthy and beautiful..a chestnut with white socks.....Enjoy!! |
Angie Judson
Member
Username: Ajudson1
Post Number: 233
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 7:46 am: | |
Guess the mares named "Sugar" are just too sweet to resist by the studs!!
Don't think I will name any horses Sugar in the future. |
Fran C
Member
Username: Canter
Post Number: 256
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 8:09 am: | |
Hi Sherri,
Looking forward to hearing how your little surprise is making out today. Hope all continues to go well.
Did you get ANY sleep last night?!?!? Or were you hanging over the fence watching your new baby all night? Whenever I've purchased a new horse or brought home a puppy or kitten, I've been unable to take my eyes off of it--everything suffers--no house work gets done, yard work? what's that? Job? What job? It must be so tempting to camp right next to Momma and baby for the next couple of weeks. |
Little King Ranch
Member
Username: Eoeo
Post Number: 192
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 8:59 am: | |
One thing, the colt could get some appy color as it gets older. Speaking of not knowing a mare is in foal, it happens with vets too, at least 45 years ago. We had a little mare who was in her twenties. She had a sore on her tongue and we had the vet out to check it out. She had a some tummy on her and Dad questioned whether she was in foal. Vet assured him it was just from malnutrition from not being able to eat. About a month later he called the vet to ask him if he wanted to come see her case of malnutrition running around in the field. She lived for 4 months after the foal was born, just long enough for it to get along without her. That was one wonderful little mare. lEO |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 511
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 9:24 am: | |
Good morning everybody! It's not even 7 a.m. here yet but already today I managed to spend time with "Oops" "Surprise" "Spice"... The mare's registered name is OK Dandy Hart so we're thinking "Dandy Surprise". What do you guys think?
Shari, that's an amazing story! The other commonality is our names, just the spelling is different. Wow! Maybe we need to see if we're living parallel lives?!!!! I agree Angie, no more horses named Sugar...
Well Fran, I did get sleep last night but only because I was so doggone tired. Spent all evening until after dark playing with the baby and giving mom lots of attention too.
So far so good. Everything seems as is should. Sugar's a good mom, even let me milk her. I just wanted to see for sure that the colt was getting something - she's got a pretty nice full bag and it was easy for me, a novice 'milker' to get some to squirt out. Baby nurses a lot, sleeps a lot and was already inquisitive at not even 24 hours old. He was galloping around with the dog last night who thinks the baby is just a little bigger version of himself. I'll post pictures later this morning. The baby even lets you pet him when he's laying down, as long as you approach slowly. At one point last night he was following me!!! Sugar was nickering and the foal soon figured out he was following the wrong mom.
Saw the colt urinate, and it was quite a lot I thought for such a little guy so all his bodily functions seem to be working.
Too much fun!!! My son's fiance found out last night - she's taking the day off work today to go and spend with Sugar and baby.
As for my husband, having this colt worries me, now he thinks maybe we should breed our buckskin mare. He had to hay until almost dark last night but spent about an hour playing with the foal before even coming in for a shower or supper.
Question time again:
It's supposed to rain tomorrow - Should they be in the barn if it does?
The mare typically is just on a good grass pasture, but isn't now until we introduce the two of them back into the herd. Should we be supplementing her with something, she's just getting timothy hay and a little oats and pellet mixture a few times a day right now and has access to a mineral block. She's pretty thin which is why I guess we didn't know she was pregnant.
Foal size - she's 15.1 and he can walk under her, has to lower his head but what size ratio is a foal usually to an adult horse.
Does the foal need anything besides milk right now?
(told you I'd have lots of questions)
Pictures coming later this mornin |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 512
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 9:28 am: | |
Hey Nancy, are you going to the Royal Red in Regina this August? |
Karen Nolte
Member
Username: Morg1
Post Number: 15
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 10:50 am: | |
Congratulations! I have a friend that had a mare this year that she didn't know was bred until Hello there's a baby. I was imediately jealous, because you know how much lost sleep I get when my mares get close. Yes, you will need to provide the mare with more grain, especially if she's thin. Her caloric needs are more now than when she was pregnant. I feed Strategy to my mares and Omolene 300 to the foals when they are old enough, but that is just my preferrence. Probably, just more of what she's being fed currently would be fine. What's a little oats and pellet mixture to you? If your only feeding about a pound at a time you will probably need to triple it but gradually over a week or so. I'm not used to feeding oats, so someone correct me if I wrong. You can always decrease the amount if she starts putting on weight. Right now, I'm feeding 12 pounds of Strategy to my mare and foal per day. Your colt just needs mom's milk for now. |
Christine C. Mills in NC
Member
Username: Chrism
Post Number: 1090
Registered: 4-1999
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 11:55 am: | |
My 22 yo mare presented us with a foal 6 weeks after we bought her when she was coming 4. Long story, but net is that baby surprised everyone - vet, original owner, boarding barn owner, me, etc.
We had lots of funny names for her - Twofer was one.
The people who took her on (she was going to be a large pony - too small for me) called her Surprise.
She turned out to be very fancy and quite a nice little hunter pony. I was very sad to let her go as we were very bonded.
Cheers. |
Sherri L. Hueser
Member
Username: Tangoh
Post Number: 514
Registered: 3-2000
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 4:50 pm: | |
 |
Karen Nolte
Member
Username: Morg1
Post Number: 17
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 5:23 pm: | |
He is absolutely beautiful Sherri. I would make sure that mom gets plenty of food since see started out a little thin. Again Congratulations. |
dina
Member
Username: Paix
Post Number: 43
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 5:35 pm: | |
Congrats! Ive been following this thread excited abt all the news. Thanks for sharing the pix they are beautiful!
Mommy looks a little thin - Im sure ur getting continued feedback on how to get her in shape and keep her and baby healthy!
Wonderful story - thanks - take care! |
Susan Bilsky
Member
Username: Suzeb
Post Number: 426
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 5:54 pm: | |
Ohhhh...Sherri, Absolutely adorable....can I have him??
Mare mom can use a little more groceries in the way of protein. Are you able to get some alfalfa hay from this year? Also Dr.O has articles in Equine Reproduction and Care of the Horse, Nutrition. You have to feed Mom to feed Baby via milk supply.
I do like the name "Dandy Surprise".
Susan B. |
Shirley A. Johnson
Member
Username: Shirl
Post Number: 219
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, Jul 15, 2005 - 6:39 pm: | |
Sherri, Congrats. Both of them are just beautiful. Love the color they are. So glad everyone (including |
