Last Tuesday we lost our 13 year old ranch mare. She was a wonderful mother, and no way to figure what killed her. We live approx an hour from the nearest vet, called him as soon as we saw her not feeling well, but she died within an hour. For the past three days I have been trying every bottle, nipple, bucket, glove and anything else anyone can think of to get this 6 week old filly to drink milk replacer! No Luck!!!! She's eating a little grain (went to town and bought the good stuff!) with milk pellets in it, but mostly just wants alfalfa hay, and will drink water. Vet says to keep her on milk till 4 months, but she just won't go for it! What else can I do? Seems the only way I can get any down her is with a plastic syringe and force feed her. She's still not getting enough though! I'm getting desperate and worried. Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Kelly (63.172.47.203)
Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2001 - 10:40 pm:
Karen- I had an orphan foal about the same age as yours. I know that it has been a difficult week for you.
The good news is that she likes the alfalfa. My foal did well without the milk, she would have nothing to do with it either. I did have other foals for her to socialize with. I will suggest that you find a buddy for her. A gentle old gelding or other weanling will do wonders for her. Keep the feed available and Good luck. Let us know how she is doing.
Karen (209.206.253.44)
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2001 - 06:14 pm:
Kelly, Thanks for the info that you had one survive without milk. My vet made it sound like she was doomed if we didn't get some milk down her. I tried something I was thinking about today, I have my gentle 19 year old mare and her foal in with her for company. The old mare wouldn't let her suck, however she is dog gentle so I haltered her and blindfolded her and got the filly to drink some while she was blindfolded. YAY!!!! Now the question is, will it hurt the other little guy to try and have this mare nurse two? I don't know if she will ever let her nurse without being blindfolded, but perhaps it would help just to let the orphan nurse a couple of times a day? Other than that, I am getting the orphan to eat a little grain with milk pellets in it, and she has alfalfa/grass mix hay in front of her all the time. She does drink water so at least she's getting her liquids. Any advice on letting her nurse the old mare would be more than welcome! I don't want to hurt the other foal, or jeopardize next years foal either! Thanks for the response!
Kelly (63.172.47.202)
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2001 - 11:16 pm:
It might be a lot of extra work for you, but if it helps the foal until it is eating well on his own, great. I think that is a good idea.
As long as the mare is getting adequate protien and fat in her diet, she should do fine. Is the other foal old enough to start creep feeding? It would help if that one were eating a bit on his own too.
Have you tried putting wet milk replacer on top of the pellets? She might like that. Keep us posted.
Anonymous (207.177.53.98)
Posted on Sunday, July 08, 2001 - 11:54 pm:
You might try letting the foal drink from a bucket. I have seen this work with foals even younger than yours.
Karen (209.206.253.196)
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 12:43 am:
Anonymous, Thanks, we did try a bucket, we even locked her off of water to try to force her to drink the milk, but she just doesn't like it. My husband and I have both previously raised orphans on a bottle, and switched to a bucket, however both were orphaned and only a day or two old. It is alot easier when they are young and not set in their ways yet.
Kelly, I haven't tried putting liquid milk over the feed, however with our calves I usually mix in some of the powdered milk after they are eating the grain good. I may try that after I get both colts eating the grain a little better. My old mare is on grain supplement anyway, I think she needs a little extra help at her age. I'm going to slowly change her over to the foal feed according to the directions on the back of the bag, as it says it is a good supplement for lactating mares. Thanks everyone for all the advice. So far so good!!!!
Kelly (63.172.47.194)
Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 - 11:57 pm:
Karen- Sounds as if you guys are going to be just fine. Plenty of foals have been weaned at 3 months of age, you are halfway there!
My orphan was a Clydesdale Throroughbred cross. She was a big girl, so I put her out with some weanlings. Everything turned out fine. I fed a Purina mix called Golden Foal. They also have a feed for older horses called Purina Senior. It is easy to digest and breaks down with less water. The older horses do fantastic on it. Less colic etc. Continued good luck to you.
Karen (209.206.253.199)
Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 - 12:56 am:
Kelly,-Thanks again! Your encouragement meant alot during some trying days! Bless her heart after only 2 days the old mare has accepted the orphan filly and is now feeding both colts. They are gaining on the grain end of things too, so I think we are out of the woods as long as the mare can keep up her weight, and hold her pregnancy for next year. Thanks everyone!
Kelly (63.172.47.182)
Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2001 - 10:52 am:
What a nice ending!
Your determination is reason that all is well. Common sense goes a long way! It is important to address the working knowledge of horses, that you have , along with the veterinarians medical experience. It is a must in many situations.
We have a 7 day old foal when his mom died, we feed him human powder milk (nestle), but the trick was to add corn syrup for babys to make it sweet, he took it right away and now he drinks from a bucket, he is doing great. we are also looking for a vitamin-mineral suplement for colts if someone know someting
I think they make a milk replacement in pellet form. And another thought is to borrow a milk goat and she can nurse right off the goat.
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