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One sign of spring, besides the robins and swelling buds, is new foals. Most of us have high hopes when we breed a mare. The ideal outcome of a foaling is a healthy mare and foal. Usually, things go as intended, with a proud mama caring for a strong healthy babe, while equally happy owners look on. But sadly, that's not always the case. Any breeder will tell you that the whole process is not without risk. It's heartbreaking when a mare loses a foal, or when the trauma of birth takes the mare. Occasionally, a mare will reject its foal, and despite all efforts, refuse to let it nurse.
The website Cyberfoal, attempts to match orphaned foals to foster mares and has links to colostrum banks (the antibody rich pre-milk that protects a foal's immunity system). Fill out a form to offer a foster mare, colostrum or find a nurse mare for your orphaned foal. The helpful hints section will tell you how to collect and freeze colostrum. Many users of the site have contributed information and tips they've learned through experience.
Finding or Placing a Nurse Mare - Cyberfoal originally appeared on About.com Horses on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 05:38:22.
