> of foals but have started a few of different > breeds and the method doesn't vary from breed to breed. I do think > they are right about having an easily handled mom equates to an easily > handled baby - which would tell me that if I had a skittish pregnant > mare, I would be spending lots and lots of time with her before the > baby is born. > > -- > Laree in NC
You are so right Laree. If mama trusts you she will "tell" the foal to trust you. And having your horses' trust is so important if you need to help them. If you need to help your mare deliver her foal (and it is so easy to make it easier for her by adding just a little pull to her push) she will be relaxed about your presence and may even ask for you to be with her. And I have so often heard "she was afraid of the foal and would not let it nurse". This is quite easy to understand in the case of a first- time mother. She has conflicting feelings: her hormones tell her that she needs to protect that little thing, and yet there comes that strange little creature and wants under her and tickle her sensitive parts. This is so easy to prevent: just wash her udder every now and then; this will get her ready for the foal. You don't want the foal to such on a dirty udder and smegma anyways. If she raises her leg to tell you she might kick, this is all the more reason to persist. Do it gently but persist. Your mare needs to trust you more than she trusts other mares. If she trusts you she will know that you will not try to steal her baby - which another, dominant, mare might just try to do. She will also stay relaxed when you do necessary things with her foal, such as put iodine on its navel and give it an enema if you see it strain. Anneliese
