You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Foal or Newborn, Accidentally Separated from Mare
Summary
Bonding between mare and newborn foal happens from the moment the foal is born and is very important between birth through 24 hours of age. If a newborn is separated from the mare during this time, bonding may be interfered with, resulting in rejection of the foal by the mare.
An immediate concern is also whether or not the newborn has ingested the first milk (colostrum), which contains vital antibodies and nutrients - known as passive transfer. Occasionally, a foal will be born under a fence, or will roll under a fence when sleeping. When it gets to its feet it is on the other side of the barrier from the mare they cannot rejoin.
An immediate concern is also whether or not the newborn has ingested the first milk (colostrum), which contains vital antibodies and nutrients - known as passive transfer. Occasionally, a foal will be born under a fence, or will roll under a fence when sleeping. When it gets to its feet it is on the other side of the barrier from the mare they cannot rejoin.
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Code Red
Call Your Vet Immediately, Even Outside Business Hours- If the foal is not nursing or seems depressed, in addition to this sign.
- If the mare is refusing to let the foal nurse.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If mare and foal seem normal when re-united.
your role
What To Do
Reunite the pair as quickly as possible. Watch their behavior for a few hours to ensure the mare has reclaimed the foal and is allowing it to nurse normally.However, if the mare is aggressive toward the foal or will not let it nurse, do not leave the pair together unsupervised. Monitor them and contact your vet. Mares that have rejected their foals can severely injure them.
What Not To Do
Do not simply assume that the foal ingested enough colostrum. Do not foal out mares in facilities that could allow the foal to go under or through the fencing.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
If there is any question about whether the foal ingested colostrum, your vet should perform a blood test to ensure adequate antibody level. Failure of a foal to ingest sufficient colostrum leads to poor immunity and a good chance for life-threatening infections later.
If there is failure of passive transfer to the foal, your vet will provide the antibody to the foal by either oral or intravenous means. If the problem is one of foal rejection, your vet may have suggestions to improve the likelihood that the mare will accept the foal, or suggestions about how to raise the foal as an orphan.
If there is failure of passive transfer to the foal, your vet will provide the antibody to the foal by either oral or intravenous means. If the problem is one of foal rejection, your vet may have suggestions to improve the likelihood that the mare will accept the foal, or suggestions about how to raise the foal as an orphan.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does the foal appear healthy otherwise?
- Is the foal active and nursing?
- When do you think the foal was born?
- Has your foal ingested life-saving colostrum yet?
- Was an IgG antibody test done on the foal after birth?
- Was the foal normal before, i.e. nursing, bright and alert?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Less Common
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
