A Q about foalies born outside....

[1588]

Our first foal arrived last night ' au naturel ' he's a big lad but we haven't seen him suckle yet, he just seems to be looking around her shoulder.

I don't really want to interfere yet...... shall I just leave it be or offer a helping hand??

Here he is btw....... any views appreciated!

 

[Tia]

Our little one was born outside, although in the field shelter and we taped it and photographed the whole thing.

When Legacy managed to get up and Cloud was back up on her feet, Legacy kept going to Clouds front end.....where humans have boobies by her front legs. We did have to help her find the correct end. It didn't take too long but we stayed with them for another 3 hours just to make double-sure she could find the teats on her own.

I would help him find the teats as you really do want to make sure that the foal has the colostrum within 6 hours of foaling (I believe it's that time-frame anyway).

Oh and BIG congratulations - lovely looking foal.

 

[maestro]

Really you do need to see him suckle, watch for an hour or quietly put a headcollar on the mare and check her teats they tend to look compressed and shiny if suckled.
Any doubts and the foal needs whats called an iGG test to check hes had sufficent colostrum. He looks big and healthy so I bet he has suckled but dont take any chances at this stage.

 

[Enfys]

Oh Congratulations. He looks a fine big chap.
I would just echo what others have said, just wanted to say Congratulations and I hope they are both well.
At least your baby stayed with Mum! Mine, also born last night went walkabouts and so easily could have ended up as coyote takeaway.

 

[S_N]

You have a 24hr time frame to get the colostrum in the foal. Ideally 12 though. It takes 24 hours for the gut wall to close stopping the absorption of antibodies that are carried in the colostrum. TBH if this was me I would catch them both and if poss bring them into a stable. I would then back the mare into the corner of the stable and gently push the foal in the direction of the milk bar and with mother natures assisstance, he should find it within minutes. I would then hold the mare whilst the foal had a good drink. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to push his head down to the bag - all he will do is push back! If you do have to help, then milk a little of the mares milk off and onto your hand and a) rub her bag with it so he can smell it and b) crouch on her opposite side and tempt him in the right direction with your finger smelling of milk - that make sense? Obviously someone has to hold the mare! If this doesn't work, I would then try to milk the mare and offer the milk to the foal in a bottle - either that or I'd get the vet out to tube the milk into the foal. It's just so important that they get the colostrum. Though having said all that, he looks a fine strong chap. When was the picture taken? Roughly how many hours old is he in it and indeed how old is he now? Are you absolutely positive he's not nursing? Some foals even when they have found it, remain a bit thick about going back to the milk bar for a few days. If he hadn't consumed anything, then by now he would be very lethargic. Does he have a suck reflex - stick your finger in his mouth, even if he spits it out, it will show that he can use it for sucking!

 

[henryhorn]

Sportznight has described exactly what you should do, and I would agree. It's possible he is drinking and you haven't seen him but you do need to be sure, otherwise he will dehydrate very quickly after 12 hours.
It sounds like get the flask out and sit and watch....

 

[1588]

Thank you all for your responses and kind comments.

We went up and caught the mare and with her standing still and the others kept at bay he went in and suckled hard for about 5-10mins I guess.

I think he's been before but the poor mare is being pestered by the others so much that he hasn't much of a chance.

Any way he's cantering around the field after her so all is well.

Thanks again

 

[S_N]

That's excellent news - no need to panic then eh! I do have to ask though, what other horses are they out with? Could they not be in their own private little area for the first week or preferably longer before integrating them back in with the others? It would prevent this happening again, which it well might........ It will be a lot less stressful for the mare, foal and you hun!