2014 Maple Hollow Foaling--Belle**FILLY!!!!! 6/14****

[Maple Hollow Farm]

Milk is def. not a problem, she has LOTS of milk and generally streaming from the nipples after he does get his little sips. Very easy to milk off her. I do think that his tummy being upset is a lot of why he doesnt want to eat much, hoping maybe someone has an idea of something to soothe his tummy too. I did forget to mention that the vet suggested if I can find some, to get lactade (sp?) that is people medicine for lactose intolerance as some foals can have that? So if anyone has experience with that and how much to get a foal, that could be helpful too!

 

Melinda, let me ask a question first. Does he seem thin or is he looking healthy in size like the other foals his age?

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

No he is very refined but doesnt seem unhealthy or abnormal in any way. He isnt filling out as fast though as the others did but that could be that he isnt eating as much. He is Missy's little guy, here are pics from yesterday...

 

[chandab]

I really don't know, but just offering a few suggestions. I know several people that use the Stomach Soother (papaya) to sooth irritated stomachs, its all natural, so likely safe for a foal. http://www.stomachsoother.com/ A probiotic; while not a horse, I did use Manna Pro Opti-Zyme for my slightly pre-mature bottle calf last year; I just mixed it in with her bottle (her stomach wasn't quite ready for normal eating habits, and if she wasn't fed just right, she bloated, the Opti-Zyme and keeping her on a schedule seemed to help her). [Opti-Zyme is a multi-species probiotic product. http://www.horse.com/item/manna-pro-opti-zyme/SLT901026/ ]

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

Here are some pics I just took at chore time tonight to show condition a bit plus have a video uploading to youtube that I will post too that shows his behavior and how he half heartedly nurses. Right now is doing enough to empty the nipples but occasionally I go down and he hasnt nursed at all and her udder is entirely full with milk drips or streaming.

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

Let me know if this link works for the video

 

[madmax]

Has your vet considered that he could be a borderline 'dummy foal'? They can appear that they just don't 'get' it (nursing). If it were my foal I would go ahead and have the vet tube him with a good meal of mama's milk to get him energized. I had a foal like this once and the tubing helped, but I had to keep teaching him to stay and keep nursing, it was difficult because he would just stay at the udder and not suck. It was not fun and time consuming, but the tubing helped to a degree that he perked up a lot. He did finally learn to nurse normally; my daughter and I worked together 'patterning' him by moving him to the mare and offering the teat, milk would just spray all over his face the mare was so full, so frustrating. Your foal is adorable, I hope he will catch on soon.

I know of a lady with this problem, she syringed for a while, and she had to go to giving her foal milk in a bowl which I don't know the difference from nursing because that takes a sucking effort as well I think.

I don't know anything about lactose intolerance, sorry.

One of my routines with my foals was to give them some probiotic at the time the mare came into her foal heat and it made a difference with the diarrhea thing.

 

If he's not 'failing' he may be getting quite a bit with just the half-hearted nursing, especially if she's loaded with milk. How often does he do his quick sips? If he's even sipping frequently, he may actually be getting a stream sent down his gullet when he even half nurses. Just a thought, if he's fine in other ways.

 

[AnnaC]

The video doesn't work for me - comes up saying "this is private". However from what you and the others have said (good suggestions to discuss with your vet), Diane's thoughts interested me and taking them a little further, is it possible that he is getting 'flooded' when he goes to drink and this is putting him off somewhat? What would happen if you milked out the mare, say until her udder went soft, would he perhaps find drinking easier then? Mares with plenty of milk can suddenly 'let go' of it at even the touch of baby on their udder, or even on the approach of the foal in anticipation of the foal drinking?

 

[madmax]

I think annac has a great point.

 

I think it's a great idea and worth trying! Happy Easter!

 

[AnnaC]

I noticed on the main forum that in reply to your post there, several folk suggested ulcers?? I really didn't know that foals that young could get ulcers, however, as always I'm very willing to learn something new. So where do these ulcers come from - when/how did they form? Or is a couple or so days from birth long enough for them to develop, if so, then for what reason? Really interested in this - anyone else heard of it or had experience of it??

Hows your little boy today?

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

Sorry I haven't been on much, busy day with family. ... lil guy seems to be eating better since missys udder is softer, I took him off biosponge since he isn't runny anymore as I don't want him getting plugged up. Hopefully he will keep doing better, I appreciate all the ideas, my vet did mention ulcers but must not have thought that was it but did say a lot of new foals can get them, we have never had a horse get them so not sure any details on how or why they get them. ... Will update more when I am actually on a real computer

 

[AnnaC]

Thanks for the update, hopefully the little fella will now go from strength to strength.

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

UPDATE---Lil guy is doing LOTS better today, eating consistently and not acting crampy at all now. Hopefully he is done with his shenanigans and will be fine. Will keep ya updated

Thanks so much for all the suggestions and will keep them all in mind in case he has a relapse.

 

I've never had experience with a foal having ulcers at his age. A bit older perhaps, and one that's been through some stressful situations, but we're all here to learn. I'm glad he's doing better. Kinda' thought he would. Sometimes they take a few days to get things sorted out. Looking forward to new pictures of him!

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

I brought chippy in last night because she was acting weird and this morning she had a gorgeous palomino colt. ..for some reason my phone doesn't load lb right anymore so can't post a pic but if any of you have me on fb I posted on my personal page if you would want to share here

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

Here are pics of the leggy boy, going to be a tall A. Still having some issues figuring out his legs, I think he was a bit twisted up in utero as he has a tendency to lay with his leg over his head and in the past that has been a sign that they were like that in utero. He has a great suck reflex though and I will keep helping him eat until he gets those stilts figured out LOL!

 

[chandab]

Congrats! He's darling, can't wait for dry pics of him.

 

[AnnaC]

Brilliant! Well done Chippy!

I'm not suprised that he was a bit screwed up in utero - look at the length of those legs, but no worries, give him a few days and he will be fine. He's a very handsome boy!!

Many congratulations on another beautiful baby Melinda!