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From www.bridleandbit.com Horse Health
Thoroughbred broodmares are bred back each year, usually during their foal heat, but due to the requirements of the Jockey Club they can not be artificially inseminated. As a result, the mare is required to be transported to the breeding farms for a period of about 30-40 days. Due to the high value associated with her new born foal it remains at the owner's farm and is nursed and nurtured by a segregate nursemare. Unfortunately, that nursemare's own foal is left without its mother, and in most cases is left to die. Many of these doomed foals are sold to tanners to become pony skin belts, purses, vests, etc. This trend has begun to change as more and more rescues are talking these little souls into their homes to hand raise. New replacement mare's milk is now allowing these little ones to live the life they were born to have. Grains are now available that give these foals a second chance to grow at normal rates and achieve their full mature size. The care required for these babies is enormous, feeding around the clock, hours of sharing a stall to give them the security that would normally be provided by their dam, constant monitoring and visits from the vets. But it is all worth the effort. Eagle Hill Farm Equine Rescue returned from a 1000 mile trip with the first load of eight tiny ones. They varied from 6 to 21 days old when they arrived, and immediately placed their little hooves upon the hearts of all that saw them. By the arrival of spring, three separate groups of foals had arrived. We have a wonderful group of volunteers who provided for the 2005 babies and will continue to provide the 2006 babies with every opportunity to reach maturity. At about four to five months old these babies will be available to ship to their new homes and share the joy of life with their new owners. These foals are being sold to rescues at about the same price that the tanners are willing to pay. The 2005 babies that arrived here were all between $250 and $350. The difference in prices is due to the unique markings of the paints, for which the tanners are more than willing to pay. We would love to be able to have our adoption fee remain at that price. However, the cost of the replacement milk is $96.00 per 50 pound bag. An average foal will consume about 5 gallons of milk a day (amazing - no wonder our mares require so much grain when they are nursing). Pre-weanling grain will also be introduced at $26.00 per 50 pound bag, and the daily amount will increase as the milk is reduced. By the time the foal is ready for adoption he will have gone through about $400 just in food. Thus, with their first series of shots, worming, feed, coggins, and the original cost for the foal and transportation we will be facing a final adoption cost of about $850 - to $950 depending on whether they are solid color or paints. If you adopt a baby, the adoption price includes all of the above and board until the foal is ready to go home. Of the 2005 foals that joined our family here at Eagle Hill Farm, most have gone to their "forever" homes. Others are looking forward to packing their suitcases and moving into their new "forever" homes when their new parents' facilities are ready. These foals can be sponsored for $250. This will pay for the orphan and provide it with a loving home at Eagle Hill Farm until adopted. Once adopted, the sponsorship money will be reused to obtain another foal in the next group. This one time gift is truly one that keeps on giving. If you would like to help with some of these expenses, please let us know. However, please be aware that we are NOT as yet a non-profit organization. Paper work has been submitted, but it will probably be about 4-5 months before finalization. We want to thank Dr. Shea Porr, of Buckeye Feed for providing assistance in the immediate delivery of Mare's Milk Plus and Buckeye Foal Starter. www.bridleandbit.com |
