Foster foal

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Hannahwn

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Right, ok I'm in no way new to horses, so please don't think I'm a newby but I am a bit confused about the new foal I've got.

4weeks ago I got a new tbxnf foal. Her mum was taken off and given to a Newmarket foal when she was 2days old. When I went to pick her up she wasn't in the best condition although aparently weaned but I took her because of her breeding and her temperament is to die for.

I have been worried about her condition and I contacted my vet. He says all is ok, he has recommended some food and is happy with her as long as she gains.

However, someone (I'm sure I know who) has rang the world horse welfare. I have spoken to em, they also say I'm taking good care of her but has advised to put her back onto a milk replacer just to top her up. Can someone please tell me which one as all of the ones I've seen say to stop at 12weeks and she is 19weeks. I'm worried I'll be doing more harm than good. She is ribby but she is improving.
Any help or opinions are appreciated, this is the youngest foal I've ever had.
Thanks
 
The advice on the bag is just that advice not gospel, ever animal is different. I would buy some foal creep pellets and start buy feeding a small handful in every feed and see how she goes. Your foal clearly needs more help that a normal (i.e on mum) foals. If you are really worried about doing it I would ring baileys or similar and ask there advice. I would also suggest that you but some stud balancer as this is great for helping with correct growth and maintaining a good weight.

Hope that helps
 
It's just nuts coz my vet is a stud owner and he sees many foster foals. He says although she is skinny I've got her on the right track.

She has been on spillers foal balancer, alfa a, sugar beet and foal creep at the recommended amounts twice a day since I got her. She has gained.

I just would like to top her up with the milk 'if' it's going to help. I understand that the back of the bag is only advice but I'm a farmer and I have orphan sheep, goats, cows etc and we all know that weaning them and then putting them back on milk is tricky and bad for digestion, and should only be done if they will not eat anything else.

As I said I'm just worried I'll be doing more harm than good.
 
Foxhunter49 said:
One of the best things you can do is to contact The National Foaling Bank, they will advise you not only on the feeding of the foal but also on how best to rear her.
Bottle babies can become very difficult as they grow because of being over bonded to humans.
http://www.nationalfoalingbank.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks I shall try that.
I'm rather lucky, because of the company she came from she has always been kept with other foals, foster and non foster, so she is very 'normal' when it comes to that. She knows I mean food and yes she isn't a bolshy as other foals at her age but she plays with my Shetland and other mares like they're her family, so I must admit I'm not that worried about her behaviour.

Thank you, will get in touch with them :)
 
what you are giving her sounds good too me, you don't want to give her too much nutrients as this will encourage her to grow to quickly and can cause ocd etc. i think you are on the right track with what you are doing. :)
 
I put it in breeding room first, but no luck!


Ok well just rang the national foal bank. A nice lady spoke to me. She said I've got her her on the best food, it's what they would use. She did say I could put a bit of milk replacer in with the food but If I was to put her back onto milk it would unbalance the feed..... It so hard!!!

She needs a bulk but I think that's going to come from my hard work, good roughage and feed surely??
 
Sounds like a lucky foal it has company ,most important I feel.
I would take the advice of your vet over WHW ,the vet knows you and has experience of the circumstances ,which are unusual.
If it is eating it will catch up ,worming,as I am sure you know, is important too.
Good luck with her,piccies please,we all love to see the foals.
 
Thank you so so much. My other gelding is currently recovering from colic symptoms from an underline condition so I see my vet pretty much all the time. (they think its enteritis)
Seren is skinny and I wouldn't say otherwise but I think we are both on the right track. I've got 2.5 acres of lush grass that I'm going to let my sheep turnover and then I'm going to put seren my mare shadow and my Shetland 'sparkle' out there... I'm sure she will be a fatty then.

Anyway thanks for all your comment sand keep them coming.
I'm new to this forum thing, it's my first time so I'm not sure how to add photos, but please take a look at our website www.littlefells.co.uk, photos ofher will be on there soon x
 
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