ilovemagic
New User
How long after losing her foal will a mare accept a foster foal? Would 3 weeks be to long, even if she still had milk. She has had a foal before and was a very good mum.
Foster mares - how long?
- Thread starter ilovemagic
- Start date
S_N
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, for most mares that would indeed be too long. As soon as possible after losing her foal, is the general rule. Occassionally mares will take 2 foals (her own and another), but this rare.
DW Team
Well-Known Member
The best person I know to talk it through with would be Johannna Vardon at the National Foaling Bank she is the most amazing knowledgeable person I have come across on all things to do with mares and foals. I am sure she would be able to answer any questions you might have. Her number is 01952 811234
Holly831
Well-Known Member
We fostered after the still birth of a little filly.
Johanna Varden arranged the contact and was just brilliant for ideas and just to listen. I do recommend anyone who has anything to do with breeding horses supports the National Foaling Bank (am I allowed to say that? I am in no way involved with them and they are a charity?)
You just never know when it might be you needing them.
Our fostering went incredibly well. The mare a 14.2 pony stood over her dead filly all day and when the 3 day old foal arrived we turned the mare away from her dead foal and gave her a feed, we then rubbed the foster foal with the placenta and slid the dead foal out and replaced her with the foster foal.
Mare was held in a head collar the whole time just in case it went wrong but as soon as she heard the foal nicker she just took to her like 'You took your time getting up' it was just brilliant. The foal was out of a 16.2 by a 16.2 stallion and the pony mare fed her until she was taken back to her owners at 8 months old.
I will have to find the pics and post some!
Johanna Varden arranged the contact and was just brilliant for ideas and just to listen. I do recommend anyone who has anything to do with breeding horses supports the National Foaling Bank (am I allowed to say that? I am in no way involved with them and they are a charity?)
You just never know when it might be you needing them.
Our fostering went incredibly well. The mare a 14.2 pony stood over her dead filly all day and when the 3 day old foal arrived we turned the mare away from her dead foal and gave her a feed, we then rubbed the foster foal with the placenta and slid the dead foal out and replaced her with the foster foal.
Mare was held in a head collar the whole time just in case it went wrong but as soon as she heard the foal nicker she just took to her like 'You took your time getting up' it was just brilliant. The foal was out of a 16.2 by a 16.2 stallion and the pony mare fed her until she was taken back to her owners at 8 months old.
I will have to find the pics and post some!
S_N
Well-Known Member
It's not always quite that easy, as often there isn't the placenta available. Often the foster mare will nee blind folding, hobbling and vicks rubbed into her nose and bedding from the mares stable used to rub over the foal. It can take 36 hours of constant monitoring (someone in or outside the stable) to achieve a successful fostering.