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Message |
    
Kim Winter
Breeding Stock
Username: Clafairy
Post Number: 433
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 02:34 pm: | 
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I have been reading that book 'blessed are the broodmares' and have got myself in a bit of a pickle!! I was reading about diarrhea becaus emy foal has 'mustard' coming out of it at day four and its smells a bit like dog poo - I thought it was a bit early for foal heat scours, and I was worried, remembering I had seen somewhere that it is also a syptom of septecemia. Trouble is I know what my vet will say - its normal... but the book says it has a distinct smell if its an infectious cause...?? Should I be worried? I will go back soon and check her again anyway. They have been out on the lush grass all day today for the first time, would that make any difference?
Also - while reading the book (I should never have picked it up!!) It says that dummy foals like the stable doors,walls etc anything it can get too, my foal is licking all sorts of things and #I noticed today that it holds its tongue out to the side of its mouth quite often....? Should this concern me? Its gums are a nice baby pink colour.
Please help me!! Im learning, and it doesnt seem to be fast enough! This is tough!! |
sandra dillard
Yearling
Username: Magnolia
Post Number: 72
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 03:17 pm: |
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Kim, you're scaring me!! I think I will ask mine to stay in a while longer...I haven't realized how much more I'll be worried when the baby gets here. Right now he's safe in mom's belly, safe from bugs, fire ants, thunderstorms, coyotes, SCOURS!! oh my gosh!!! OK, I'm gonna stop worrying...anyway, about your baby,I think if her gums are pink and she's acting ok she is probably fine. This will be my first foal but I've raised many an orphaned animal in my life and it always seemed if one was in trouble, they would be dehydrated, lethargic, etc... Let us know how she continues to do.... |
Kim Winter
Breeding Stock
Username: Clafairy
Post Number: 437
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 04:03 pm: |
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Sandra - sorry!! I just spoke to the vet. He said pretty much what I had expected him to say! He said that it is probably my mare about to come into season (I told him that she has not shown any sign of being in season yet and I thought it was a bit early) He said SOMETIMES they are 3-4 days old at foal scouring time, just normally they are more days. She does have a tendancy to be awkward. If they had just taken the blood test at the first visit!!! If I do ever do this again I will be insisting upon all the tests and examinations I want done! I have been looking at a new vets too just now, I might speak to them in the morning... Im really frustrated! I wish I could know all this for myself!! ANy help still really really appreciated with this - My vet didnt really give me the answer I was looking for! |
Hannah MacDonald
Nursing Foal
Username: Hannah
Post Number: 18
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 04:27 pm: |
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Kim my little boy was exactly the same, given a few days and attempts at sucking on grass etc it all was fine and soon changed colour. I wouldnt worry too much if both Mum and Baby are looking well, eating up etc. He's almost 3 weeks old now and my mare had foaling heat quite quickly and he never even got scouring. He sees to have more of a squirty arse now hes managing to eat stuff!! |
Kim Winter
Breeding Stock
Username: Clafairy
Post Number: 438
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 05:09 pm: |
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Thanks hannah for you answer. I had no idea how much I would worry about the little one. Its quite exhausting! I gave her the ivermectin like ive seen people suggesting to help with scouring, I guess I thought that would make me one of the lucky ones that can avoid the mess! I will check them again early in the morning, its just when you sleep at night it feels like its such a long time since you checked them last (not that I do alot of sleeping at the moment!) I think I got scared when the vet told me there was a lack of milk and was worried that that would cause baby to dehydrate if she was scouring too - but she does seem ok so she must be getting enough milk. It would be nice if there was a way to make some more certainties in this game - I dont know how you manage yr after yr breeders out there...Its a whole lot of waiting all the way through isnt it : ) Shes a great big bundle of fun all the while Im there and not worrying though, Im sure glad that I have her : ) |
Lori aka " Raven"
Breeding Stock
Username: Raven
Post Number: 378
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 05:14 pm: |
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Kim, by the sounds of what you are discribing you have a normal foal. They will not start poopoing normally for awhile and still then it is not fully formed right off the bat. Chu kash has just in the last two weeks had normal formed poops and he is 11 weeks now. For the first three weks or so their poop will still have that mustardy brown color, no consistance. That is normal. If she has the scours than it will be much runnier and loose and on behind down her legs. Don't forget Chu kash ran around all the time with his tongue hanging out (it made him invincible!) To this day he still will put it out to the side. Normal. Their only way to investigate anything is to mouth it or taste it. You will definatley be able to tell if she was a dummy foal. By the pics you have ......no she is not a dummy foal! Playing with her tongue and investigating is all normal foal behaviour, just like a child finding their fingers and body parts.
Enjoy her like this, they grow quickly!! |
Kim Winter
Breeding Stock
Username: Clafairy
Post Number: 439
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 05:28 pm: |
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Thankyou raven! feeling silly, but much better : )
Poop was, now whats the best words for this...Stretchy? for the first few days but dark - now it is yellow and EVERYWHERE!! I have washed her butt and her legs but no doubt will have to repeat in the morning. What a lovely job 
Thankyou!! I feel much better - its so strange that there are so many things I never considered...I guess you can fit it all in a book! (or over 5 books)
*sigh of relief at silly panick* : ) |
Jan Owen
Yearling
Username: 1frosty1
Post Number: 83
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 05:33 pm: |
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Kim,
Hang in there!!! It does sound like foal scours to me too! Make sure she is nursing regularly. And the "everything" in the mouth is very typical! They are "babies" and explore their world by tasting everything and anything. Sometimes it will gross you out when you see them out there eating manure! Remember with out hands mouths are the next best thing. My colt had sucked his tongue as he was born and to this day (just turned 3) sucks away with it hanging out. I can pull on it and it does not bother him in the least. It sounds like you are going through the very typical stuff. Your foal is luck to have you because you are being very attentive and concerned. Good for you. That book Blessed are the Broodmares and Blessed are the Foals will scare you to death! They did me! Keep us posted! |
Kathee McGuire
Breeding Stock
Username: Katheekj
Post Number: 477
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 06:10 pm: |
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Kim -Catcher still stands around licking the gate, the wall, her Mom, and anything else that doesn't move - especially when she is stalled. She puts everything in her mouth. Thanks to someone's suggestion, I started giving her something to play with when I was brushing her becuase she kept wanting to chew on me. It worked and kept her mouth entertained. She doesn't need it anymore, she just turns her butt to me now expecting a good rub...mares! I missed the scours (hooray) so I am not much help there. |
Kathee McGuire
Breeding Stock
Username: Katheekj
Post Number: 478
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 06:12 pm: |
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Kim -Catcher still stands around licking the gate, the wall, her Mom, and anything else that doesn't move - especially when she is stalled. She puts everything in her mouth. Thanks to someone's suggestion, I started giving her something to play with when I was brushing her becuase she kept wanting to chew on me. It worked and kept her mouth entertained. She doesn't need it anymore, she just turns her butt to me now expecting a good rub...mares! I missed the scours (hooray) so I am not much help there. |
Stormy Rood
Breeding Stock
Username: Stormyrood
Post Number: 315
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 06:29 pm: |
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Kim, Good luck to you! Gee, I thought waiting on the foal to arrive was the hardest part. I guess worry goes with having horses period, especially when you get into the baby horses!  Rest assured though, you are in the best place to get the answers you need! |
Jan H
Breeding Stock
Username: Jan_h
Post Number: 334
Registered: 01-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 07:20 pm: |
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Kim my filly had the mustard poops for 5 days post foaling like thick baby food consistancy, perfectly normal stopped at day 6 with no ill effects. I would not worry too much, I agree with your vet some mares just run early foal heat. about 10 to 12% of mine run that way. I feel sure it will be over soon! |
Heather Kutyba
Breeding Stock
Username: Heatherck11
Post Number: 227
Registered: 01-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:24 am: |
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HEEE, heeee, heee,
I'm NOT the only neurotic mare/foal owner out there!
I worried about the shavings, the buckets (to high? too low?), the walls are dirty (so I pressure washed them!), had to have a first aid kit...iv catheters were warrented right?? of course....the umbilical cord...chlorhexidine or betadine??? I got both..you know..just to be safe. Bought all new cotton terry towels (12), and yes I used them. Syringes, needles, banamine, bute, you name it I had it. Had close-circuit monitoring and actually caught her in action...ran to the barn as 2 feet and the sack came out.
But...
I forgot the video camera at the house . Doesn't it figure? |
Kim Winter
Breeding Stock
Username: Clafairy
Post Number: 440
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 03:07 am: |
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THankyou guys!! Im just heading down there now, Its 8.00am. I will pop into the chemist later and get some vaseline (I couldnt find any yesterday and I had loads!!) and will take to the foal with a bucket and sponge, smelly rascal!
Jan O - I think i had better stay away from the books for a while!! : )
Kathee - you answered something else interesting there - little thing keeps chewing on me when Im stroking and playing with her - some toys my be in order there then...
And Heather that all sounds only too familiar!! |
Kim k
Breeding Stock
Username: Kimk
Post Number: 624
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 06:44 am: |
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Kim,
The toys don't need to be commerical horse toys either (they can get sortta costly !) We use 2 liter pop container, plastic milk jugs too, work great. Many of the horses get them in their stalls, just depends on whos in where. Doesn't seem like the mares do much with them. But the stallions and young ones love them. They will beat the living daylight out of them. I do have a couple of balls that they like. Its fun to watch them play. Our two year old colt will fling the ball from one side of the lot to the next, he will stand and flap it at his lot mates or the one next to him and sometimes they just look at him like "are you crazy or something" He loves it , and they are not sure about it !
Good luck with your foal and have fun, they grow up quick! |
sandra dillard
Yearling
Username: Magnolia
Post Number: 74
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 08:14 am: |
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whew!! even I feel better after reading all this. How's she doing today kim? I hope you are feeling better now. This is turning out to be a great learning experience, just think, next year, you can be giving the "new" foalers advice...good luck!!! |
Jenn
Breeding Stock
Username: Jenn
Post Number: 176
Registered: 01-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 10:09 am: |
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Put "Blessed are the Broodmares" into deep storage. I know I keep picking it up and finding at least half a dozen things to panic about each time. |
Kim Winter
Breeding Stock
Username: Clafairy
Post Number: 441
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:16 pm: |
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Hi kim k, I saw a horse ball at the store today - £20 (37 dollars!), so I decided Id wait until she was a bit bigger and the horse ball was actually smaller than her : ) Ill try some other things in the field meanwhile.
Sandra, shes ok today thankyou - A bit wet, the weather is still awful and mum is too busy suffing her face with green grass to take her back into the stable. Its not really cold just very wet and a few gusts of wind here and there. Her bum was clean this morning though and less smelly!! Ill be glad when shes over it because mucking out the stable is not a pleasant task!! I think mum has more milk for her aswell, she certainly seems to have an udder more like a cow now (now that I have bought some milk producing herbs for her and wasted some more money - If I knew someone local that bred they could have my new bag of milk replacer that wont ever get used now!!) All fun and games, you certainly have to keep that sense of humour hey : ) Im glad I have done this, its great experience and should be very rewarding - once I can catch them both, where is the summer - so much for global warming, I havent seen a scrap of evidence for that theory this year! ; ) Wheres your foal sandra!?
Jenn - its away......... Ill get it out in about a years time just to compare notes! Lol : ) |
sandra dillard
Yearling
Username: Magnolia
Post Number: 77
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 01:13 pm: |
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my foal is still in moms belly!! She seemed different to me last night.. Her bag seemed to have gotten a little bigger and she was really sweating all around her flanks and she did bite at her sides TWICE!!  But no baby this morning. I jumped up out of bed early and my husband asked what I was doing, I said "i have to see if santa clause came last night" I do feel like a kid waiting on a present. I'm glad Rio is doing better. keep us posted on her. |
Kim Winter
Breeding Stock
Username: Clafairy
Post Number: 442
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 02:27 pm: |
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Thats how you are supposed to feel, thats why they have such a long gestation - to keep us in suspence and make sure we get our selves worked up enough to REALLY want it when it gets here! It wouldnt be so special if it only took two months to ccok, then you could have 6 foals a year and it makes it slightly less precious you see...
Cant wait to see your foal - feel like Im waiting for it too! |
sandra dillard
Yearling
Username: Magnolia
Post Number: 79
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 04:09 pm: |
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I can't wait to post pics!!! I'll be heading home in a few minutes to check for any changes!!I'll update tomorrow morning.....Hope you're enjoying your baby!!!! |
Kathee McGuire
Breeding Stock
Username: Katheekj
Post Number: 484
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 04:54 pm: |
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I agreee with the horse toys...very expensive. I bought a large ball from our WalMart store for $2.50 and Catcher has not flattened it yet. When she does, I will buy another $2.50 ball and still be ahead. I also tied plastic gallon milk cartons to some of the tree limbs in the pasture and she plays with them as well as the one in her stall. When she was in the "grooming me" stage, I tied a hay bale string to the hitching board and tied a stick to the end of the string and let it dangle. She was completely entertained and left the back of my legs and rear end alone! |
