Dead Foal

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carrieanne

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Our irish cob mare has given birth unexpectedly this morning to a beautiful but dead foal. We bought her from a yard in Yorkshire in June so she must have been pregnant, I think she was imported from Ireland shortly before. She hasn't been ridden for 6 months because we have had passport problems and I am waiting to insure her.

I am distraught, the vet says not to worry about her unless there is discharge or she is off-colour (she is very well and he placenta was complete but I feel heartbroken because I had put her roundness down to her being very cobby and a good doer and I feel terrible in case there was anything I could or should have done.

How long should I leave the foal with her? I have read conflicting views but she got very upset when I tried to remove it (her, she was a beautiful black filly with a star). She is also producing a lot of mmilk which i assume is normal, but is there anything I can do to help my mare?

carrieanne
 
First off I'm very sorry. Really there's nothing you could have done. Don't beat yourself up, please.

Leaving mare with foal is very hard. Last year my mare's 3 week old filly was killed in a pasture accident. We were told in 2 hours she'd leave the foal on her own. We waited all day for her to come to terms with Daphne dying to no avail. I finally had to bring her up so we could take away the body. She was a bit of a wreck, but ok the next day.

As far as the milk, you need to get your mare off of the grass. She needs to be dry lotted with hay only or stabled. A walker is of big help or you can walk her yourself. Do not milk her, do not feed her grain, and do not keep her on any grass. Especially this time of year grass is a no no. Don't worry she won't waste away to nothing. Just give her plenty of hay. Usually about a week will do it, but monitor her when putting her back out to grass and leave the feeding for a good week or two after that. Mastitis is nasty and very uncomfortable. My mare is a big rangy TB and she didn't starve nor get emaciated.

Terri
 
Hi

Very sorry to hear of you loss.

If your up to it you colud foster a foal, you should give the foaling bamk a call on 01952 811234,

If you are going to do this call them stright away, rescue the placenter and do not move the dead foal until you have spoken with them.

We have just gone through a similar experiance.

Good luck
 
I'm so sorry it must be awful even though you werent expecting it.

I have read that it can help for them to foster a foal as it helps them come to terms with their lost foal and this might help you feel better too.

It might be worth contacting the National Foaling Bank (I'm sure that's what they are called) even if you dont decide to go down that route, they can give you advise.
 
So sorry to hear your bad news - there is nothing worse.

Where are you located? I know someone who may be in need of a foster mare for a foal born today.

Please call or text 07769 582590 if you think you can be any help - I know it is an awful situation to be in, and I feel very deeply for all that you are going through right now.
 
I am so sorry to hear of your mare's loss, they do recover well though, but it will take a little time to get over it, hope she feels better soon and sorry for your loss also x
 
[ QUOTE ]


How long should I leave the foal with her? I have read conflicting views but she got very upset when I tried to remove it (her, she was a beautiful black filly with a star). She is also producing a lot of mmilk which i assume is normal, but is there anything I can do to help my mare?


[/ QUOTE ]

First, my sincerest sympathies for your loss. Don't beat yourself up about it - it's likely it was just one of those 'accidents' that happen!

My first pure ID mare - who I bought in foal - slipped a perfect colt in a red bag delivery at about 295 days. We couldn't get the foal - she attacked us if we approached - and it was 24 hours before she walked away! By then she had accepted it was gone. She got over it very quickly then! I was lucky as 2 days later another mare who I had bought 'empty' produced a lovely filly - to my great surprise!

As the foal never suckled, she should dry off very quickly. DON'T be tempted to draw some milk off if she appears uncomfortable - this will only stimulate her to produce more milk. Once she realises she has a full udder and nothing is taking the milk, she will start to dry off - she could be uncomfy for 5 - 7 days but as long as the udder doesn't become excessively hot, there is nothing to worry about.
 
What a disaster for you. So sorry.We have a Dales foal born two weeks ago but rejected by his mum. We are looking for a foster mare, 'cos he has to be fed every 2 hours day and night ! Where are you ? Might your mare like to mother this foal do you think ?
Please contact urgently if you think it might be a possibibilty.
We are in herefordshire.
Thanks very much. Jan James
 
Hi did anything come of this? Just wondered if the timescale was too long for the mare.

macqueen - We had this happen to us a few years ago with a mare we did not know was in-foal. She foaled out in the field & another adopted him so mum rejected him. It took 2wks of hard work to get her to accept him back. Basically we had to string her up, forced against a wall. Once he got the hang of the milk bar it was a bit easier because we could just deal with the mare. It was not too many days before we could just hold the mare, then by 2wks she accepted him. I have to say it was the easiest weaning ever on both sides. I think in your case it maybe too late as we never seperated them. It was a lot of hard work but only for a few days until it was a one person job & the whole thing last 2wks. I had to sleep in my car to manage the 2 hourly feeds. I dont think I would have survived any longer! Best wishes hope you both.
 
Thanks everyone for your kind words and messages of help and support. It has made a huge difference to read that what I'm feeling is normal, I was shocked at how upset I was and still am. I think it is the fact that I could see that Floss (my mare) was so distressed and I could do nothing to help her. The Foaling Bank have suggested leaving the foal in the field for 48 hours and this morning Floss seems a little more detatched, she is grazing further away and coming back to check it much less often. I have contacted anyone in the thread who needed a foster mum but know time is running out so if I hear nothing by lunchtime I will remove the body and concentrate on drying up her milk and walking her out.

Thanks again for all the advice, I am somewhat an amateur and keep my two cobs for gentle hacking around the local bridleways. Your help has been invaluable.

Carrieanne
 
I'm so sorry, that is really terrible. A stillborn foal is bad enough but to lose a foal that you and she had bonded with must have been horrendous. We took some colostrum from Floss on the direction of the foaling bank but if she is not to be a foster mum I will not milk her at all and keep a watch for mastitis. Thanks for the advice.

Carrieanne
 
Thanks so much for responding, but by the time your message arrived, the foal was his way to Glamorgan to meet his foster mum. It was really kind of you, and I am so sorry that we could not be your solution. Hope your outcome has a happy ending. I did ring your mobile, but there was no reply !
Ah well, thanks again and again. Jan
 
I'm really glad you found a foster mum Jan. Sorry about not answering the mobile, we were recharging it while we were outside with the horses and missed your call. We have taken the foal from the field and she is fretting and producing a lot of milk but I know it has to happen some time and i have taken comfort from others here who say that she will get over it. I'm sure I will too eventually but it is just so sad. I hope everything goes well for your foal in Glamorgan, keep us posted!

Carrieanne
 
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