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Discussion on Mare won't let foal nurse
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Member:
Mftgirl
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Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 8:12 pm:
The mare I had posted about under a Lutylase discussion finally foaled today, while we were at work, 5 weeks after we first were told it would only be a few days. She showed some interesting signs which I would like to discuss at some point, but my primary concern is that she will not let the foal nurse. We have one leg tied up so she can't kick at the baby and her tied so she can't move, but the baby is having a very difficult time locating the right spot. My question is how long do we let this go on before milking her and bottle feeding the baby? She will let my husband touch her, so milking won't be an issue. She seems very concerned about the baby, wants it near. She is also a maiden mare. Since we weren't here when the baby was born, I am concerned at how long it has been without possibly eating. We've been home three hours and haven't seen it nurse yet.
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Member:
Mftgirl
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Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 8:14 pm:
I forgot to add, the foal seems healthy. He's bright eyed, and trotting in the stall, even if he's still a bit wobbly.
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Member:
Mftgirl
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Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 1:51 am:
Just a quick update. We did milk mom, got 12 oz down the foal in small spurts over about an hour. We let them rest together, checked back in 2 hours to find mom asleep and baby searching for food. After she woke up, we milked again and got her to actually let down her milk, and collected enough for two more feedings. Baby ate 3 1/2 oz then promptly fell asleep. Mom is letting baby attempt to nurse if we just hold her halter now, no tying up her foot. Are we on the right track and do we have a chance of mom finally letting the baby nurse without us there?
Also thought I'd include their pic.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 7:27 am:
Hello Tonya,
Yes she will in time allow the foal to nurse. Many of the issues you are dealing with are handled in the article, Equine Diseases » Reproductive Diseases » Birthing Problems »
Feeding and Caring for the Orphan Foal. Read if carefully and be sure the foal's IgG is checked today.
DrO
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Member:
Mftgirl
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Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 8:49 pm:
Thanks Dr O for the info. I found the article on orphan foals after I had posted the original questions and it was very helpful. You'll be happy to know that the mare is letting the foal nurse freely in the stall, and the foal is starting to not look as ribby. After bottle feeding last night, the mare was calm enough the my husband just had to hold her halter and she would let the foal nurse, which they did every 30 minutes all night long. By this morning, she had let him nurse twice after being backed into a corner by the foal. She never did act aggressive towards him, just acted as if her udder hurt when nursed or milked. I also found the article on septicemia useful as I thought that would be what we were dealing with if he didn't get the colostrum. He appears to be getting stronger, finally doing some exploring of the stall. Here's the pic also, now that I figured out how to downsize it. 
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 8:32 am:
Very cute!
DrO
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