carmenlucy123
Well-Known Member
So I thought we could club together and put some advice for people who have foun themselfs with an orphan foal? Share past experiences? As a few sadly are popping up on here
So firstly you need to ensure your foal has had the mares first milk to provide colostrum this can be taken from the mare or a vet can administer synthetic colostrum.
I also had a blood test the next day to ensure my foal had all the immunity needed if not more colostrum can be administered.
Secondly weather you choose to find a foster mare or not you need to find some milk replacer for the foal there are various types available. Initially for the first two or three feeds you can use a bottle but then I would recomend using a bucket. To teach the foal to drink from the bucket place your fingers in the foals mouth and using your arm over he foals head gently push the foals head into the bucket - this goes against the foals natural instinct where their head would go up under the mare so the use of your arm comforts the foal whilst they feed; it helps to back them into a corner or get some more hands they are wriggely! after a few feeds you'll be suprise how quickly they pick it up.
When looking for a foster mare the national foaling bank can be a great help and also word of mouth/local posting on forums will help. Be aware that not every mare owner will be satisfied simply to see their mare doing some good and helping a foal and for filling the role of a mother which will help the mare. Some people will expect some financial gain -be sure this is agreed before you take he mare as once the foal is attached otherwise you may find yourself cornered. I was asked to pay a somewhat hefty vets bill with no garantee the mare would accept my foal, as much as the foaling bank tried to negotiate I did not trust the mare owner so whatever you choose to do be happy with your choose and don't allow yourself to be pressured.
That said I hope for most foals to find a mare I wished that for mine.
If you do hand rear you will expect to spend in excess of 1k on milk! The milk once fed from a bucket can be left for 6 hours which helps with feeding but be warned foals will guzzle 6 hours worth of milk as quick as they can do try and stick to a little and often feeding plan.
Foals scour alot I found natural yoghurt mixed into the milk a few spoonfuls helps sooth the gut and once feeding psyliam (sp) husk which is a grass seed helps stop runny stools.
Try and find your foal some company hopefully a nice foal or pony that won't be a milk thief!
At just a few weeks old milk pellets can be introduced when the milk has been drank place them in the empty milk bucket to encourage feeding. Cut the milk back gradually from a few months 2-3 months and encourage more feeding of milk Pellets I weaned at 4 months Having been told to wean at 3 by the feed merchants however looking back I would continue feeding untill 5 months.
From around 3-4 months I replaced the milk pellets gradually introducing a stud balancer
I then added alpha a with oil for extra protein but I would suggest you speak with an expert as people's opinions differ
Anything else i'v forgotten?
So firstly you need to ensure your foal has had the mares first milk to provide colostrum this can be taken from the mare or a vet can administer synthetic colostrum.
I also had a blood test the next day to ensure my foal had all the immunity needed if not more colostrum can be administered.
Secondly weather you choose to find a foster mare or not you need to find some milk replacer for the foal there are various types available. Initially for the first two or three feeds you can use a bottle but then I would recomend using a bucket. To teach the foal to drink from the bucket place your fingers in the foals mouth and using your arm over he foals head gently push the foals head into the bucket - this goes against the foals natural instinct where their head would go up under the mare so the use of your arm comforts the foal whilst they feed; it helps to back them into a corner or get some more hands they are wriggely! after a few feeds you'll be suprise how quickly they pick it up.
When looking for a foster mare the national foaling bank can be a great help and also word of mouth/local posting on forums will help. Be aware that not every mare owner will be satisfied simply to see their mare doing some good and helping a foal and for filling the role of a mother which will help the mare. Some people will expect some financial gain -be sure this is agreed before you take he mare as once the foal is attached otherwise you may find yourself cornered. I was asked to pay a somewhat hefty vets bill with no garantee the mare would accept my foal, as much as the foaling bank tried to negotiate I did not trust the mare owner so whatever you choose to do be happy with your choose and don't allow yourself to be pressured.
That said I hope for most foals to find a mare I wished that for mine.
If you do hand rear you will expect to spend in excess of 1k on milk! The milk once fed from a bucket can be left for 6 hours which helps with feeding but be warned foals will guzzle 6 hours worth of milk as quick as they can do try and stick to a little and often feeding plan.
Foals scour alot I found natural yoghurt mixed into the milk a few spoonfuls helps sooth the gut and once feeding psyliam (sp) husk which is a grass seed helps stop runny stools.
Try and find your foal some company hopefully a nice foal or pony that won't be a milk thief!
At just a few weeks old milk pellets can be introduced when the milk has been drank place them in the empty milk bucket to encourage feeding. Cut the milk back gradually from a few months 2-3 months and encourage more feeding of milk Pellets I weaned at 4 months Having been told to wean at 3 by the feed merchants however looking back I would continue feeding untill 5 months.
From around 3-4 months I replaced the milk pellets gradually introducing a stud balancer
I then added alpha a with oil for extra protein but I would suggest you speak with an expert as people's opinions differ
Anything else i'v forgotten?