Feeding and Caring for the Orphan Foal
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

When we talk about feeding an orphaned foal, we don't just mean those who have lost their mother. The mare may be present but too little milk is being produced. This can be difficult to determine by milking the mare if she is producing some milk. However the foal's behavior when underfed is very characteristic. Not only is there concern about nutrition but also has the foal acquired adequate immunity from the colostrum.

There is now effective treatment for mares not producing adequate amounts of milk. In cases where the mare is lost foster non lactating foster mares can be induced to lactate. Experiments showed that mares with induced lactation are able to adopt and nurse a foal to weaning age that are of similar size and weight to normally raised foals.

There is the general opinion that you cannot produce healthy horses on a bottle. But personal experience has shown with hard work these foals turn out normal in every way. We have bottle raised numerous foals that went on to perform at the top of their chosen field. This article describes techniques for improving milk production, creating foster mares, or raising orphan foals on a bottle.

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