Handling Your Foal

Atticus is now 1 month old. I cannot believe how fast he is growing and developing. I am really starting to see the downside to him being an only foal and Ella being separated from a herd. I understand it's for their safety and best - BUT I also now realize that Atticus doesn't really have anyone to play with.

We didn't IMPRINT him (a process I've read about where within the first few hours of life the foal is separated from the mother and exposed to certain things/situations in order to desensitises them for later on in life - e.g. handing their legs, feet, mouth, ears etc and or exposing them to blankets, bags, or different things that might generally spook a horse). First of all I'm not sure anyone was around within the first few hours, our guess is that he was born in-between 2:00 am and 4:00 am and the facility owner found in in the morning while checking on the horses around 6:00 am (standing and dry) secondly I don't live on the property therefore have a time constricted schedule and to be honest don't know enough about foals let alone a process such as this. However, the first day he was handled by the Vet and the Vet's Assistance during his and Ella's examination. Up until then I really didn't know how Ella would even react, was she an over protective Mum? Would the foal be incredibly scared? After watching the Vet I determined she was aggressively protective and the foal remained calm providing Mum was fine.After that they were left alone (although monitored and fed) for two days and then not disrupted again until the following Sunday night (the foal was born early Friday morning) when they were brought into the barn due to a Severe Thunderstorm warning. Baby followed close behind Mum and I left them alone in the indoor stall (again, not entirely sure how comfortable Ella was and how she would react and certainly didn't want to upset her in the tight confines of the stall and risk her stepping on/trampling the foal).

A few days later we starting occasionally touching him, getting him used to us (we'd talk to him) let him smell us an gently nibble on our sleeve end or shirt bottom (realizing he's teething and not to spook him) then I started taking off any light sweater I had on and would drape it over his back, one day it rained and we were unable to relocated them in time - therefore the Mare and foal were pretty wet, we took the opportunity to towel dry him and then drape the towel over his back and let him walk around with it until it fell off.

As of late, this handling and interacting with the foal (although I limit it to our daily routine/chores, my husband tends to spend a bit more time with the foal) I've notice he's become a LOT more comfortable with us, so much so that is as though he views us a herd members (horses) and try's to play or gets overly excited when we (mainly me) come into the paddock. These actions come across as charging directly at him and then skidding to a halt, rearing up and extending his front legs as if boxing to swinging his hind end around or spinning to buck, kick out at me/us. He hasn't quite bucked, although he has kicked out slightly while trotting beside me and lightly connected with the bucket I was carrying. This to me is slightly unsettling, I realize he's playing AND doesn't have play mates BUT this can become very dangerous, very quickly - especially at the rate he's growing. Can you imagine a 900 - 1100 lb horse doing this and then expecting yourself to be assertive yet CALM?!? 

So my job now is to quickly learn an effective way to discourage this behaviour without breaking his trust, causing him to become fearful OR head shy! Tricky. Don't get me wrong, I am very impressed with his progress, he approaches us, he's fine with us touching him, rubbing down his legs, even picking up his front feet, he's ok with blankets on him, didn't give us too much trouble the first time he wore his halter. I'm glad he is healthy, happy and active - I just take it seriously and realize we have a huge responsibility to our foal, which is making sure he grows up polite, respectful and with minimal vices as possible.

If you have any tips, suggestions or ideas - please do not hesitate in sharing. He's teaching me a lot already, although I'm positive he's learning body language and effective communication himself, I am better able now, to recognize dominance or aggressive body language when I'm watching him play or watching his Mum with the other pasture horses. Such as, pinning ears, ex hauling loud and fast through nostrils (like a snort), low head and fast quick movements (these are mainly from his Mum) to arching of the neck accompanied with a prance or slow trot that almost gives the appearance of being taller (raised tail, ears forward) this I've learnt from the foal.

Feed

Now that it's been a few days past 3 weeks, Atticus's little teeth are coming in. We've noticed him sampling grass, hay and his mum's feed - only a matter of time before he starts eating his own.

I just found a brand of food, while doing some research, that is suitable for all types of horses up to 12 months of age. Apparently it helps reduce weaning stress and promote steady growth - I guess Masterfeeds AND Proform both produce it (oddly enough using the same foal picture - unless they're the same company) I am going to pick some up this weekend and look into how soon we can start feeding him some and whether or not we need to soak it.

The above product FRISKY FOAL features: 

• dehydrated alfalfa and molasses
• low carbohydrate, low glycemic
• high level of trace minerals from organic sources
• high level of protein and lysine
• added yeast
• highly fortified formulation
• contains added b-vitamins

ADDITIONALLY 

• foals cannot separate the ingredients - consistent with each bite
• more bio-available resulting in higher uptake of trace elements
• improve growth
• improve immunity
• allows flexibility of feeding rates

Right now we are feeding his mum 3 cups of SOAKED BEET PULP mixed with 2 cups of Proforms Step 1 - Broodmare feed. We feed Eli 3 cups of SOAKED BEET PULP with 1 cup of oats and a table spoon of flax seed. We were feeding him a cereal type feed that wound him up as I think he converted it into sugar, thinking about picking him up some Hoffman's Horse Rations (it contains NO grain) 

Apparently between 2 - 3 months the mare will need double the amount of feed and protein as she will hit her peak, so her feed should be increased during this time. Also, between 8 - 10 weeks the foal should start giving the foal additional feed. From 4 months on gradually and over time the foals additional feed (grain/forage etc) should be increased while the mare's should be decreased - this is to assist with weaning, providing the foal with necessary nutrients but also to help stop the mare from producing milk. 

 Weanlings, and yearlings benefit from a diet of 14 - 16 percent protein, their diet should never contain less than 30 % roughage and they should ALWAYS have access to fresh water and room for exercise and development.

Here are FOAL FEEDING GUIDELINES from the American Association of Equine Practitioners website:

1. Provide high quality roughage (hay and pasture) free choice
2. Supplement with high quality grain/feed for Weanlings
3. Start by feeding one percent of a foal's body weight per day (one pound for each 100, or one pound per month of age) 
4. Weigh and adjust the feed ration based on growth and fitness (a weight tape can help) 
5. Foals have small stomachs, split rations to 2 - 3 times a day
6. Make sure feeds contain proper balance of vitamins, minerals, energy and protein
7. Use a creep feeder or feed the foal separate from other horses (mare) 
8. Remove unwanted portions between feedings
9. Provide unlimited, fresh, clean water
10. Provide opportunity for abundance exercise 

Fly's!?!?

Trying to make a home-made fly recipe that's all natural but keeps the bugs away. This is what I came up with:

• 1 garlic clove (not bulb) diced
• 1 cup of vinegar
• 2 teaspoons of Tea Tree Oil
• 2 teaspoons of Eucalypti Oil 
• Add to spray bottle, fill up to top with water

I put all the ingredients together and shook really well, even though there were small chunks of garlic in there I wasn't concerned - the smell was still present and the pieces didn't make it through the spray nozzle. 

Once the mixture was made I brought it with to the barn, tested it out on our horse and noticed that surprisingly the scent did in fact resemble bug spray - the other thing I noticed was that it seemed to repel flies, but it wasn't all that effective on the mosquito's. I think I am missing citronella oil, but I can't find that stuff anywhere - just the oil that you fill those tiki torches with (not the same stuff) 

If you are going to make your own bug spray, be sure not to use products that are not safe for your horse, careful mixing products and certainly be cautious should your horse have allergies or react to the spray - best to try it on a small area first and check frequently for welts, swelling or heat (I am not a vet and perhaps vet advice is recommended).   

DO NOT GET IN HORSE'S EYE'S, EARS or MOUTH (not to be ingested) 

Anyhow, if you find something that is works, repels mosquito's fly's, deer fly's and all those other little biting buts - do share. 

De-Worming

Picked-up some veterinarian issued de-wormer from the vet clinic for little Atticus, while I was there I grabbed a tube of EQVALAN (1.87% Ivermectin) for Ella. Both were de-wormed once we got to the barn - this way we had time to hang around and monitor them to make sure they didn't have any adverse affects.

Surprisingly Atticus took it well, helps A LOT that he's teething and more than willing to chew on a knuckle or two - so while Jesse volunteered to let Atticus chew on his knuckle (he doesn't have teeth yet) I squirted the tube into the back corner of his mouth. He smacked his lips a bit and it was all gone.

I thought for sure Ella would immediately spit hers back out, but I learned something while watching the Facility owner administer BUTE to Eli when we were treating his foot for a potential abscess.

If you let them lift there heads real high in the air (they want to prevent you from having access to their mouth) and then squirt it in the space where they have no teeth, keep your hand under their chin with your arm extended (preventing them from lowering their head) and wait a few moments - their natural instinct is to swallow, or at least it's harder for them to drop their head and spit it out.

Ella's 16.1 HH and when extending her neck and head pretty tall, fortunately I'm tall myself - so this is what I did, worked out well.

Atticus's poopy bum (Scours)

For lack of a better term - Atticus got scours (diarrhea) from Foal Heat, which apparently happens between 7 & 10 days of age. Foal heat is the first heat cycle the mare goes into since becoming pregnant with the foal. As all of this is new to me, I did a bit of research for home remedies, instructions on treating scours as well as the signs. I also spoke to the woman that sold us Ella as she has two foals herself and she was able to advise me and give us some tips.

It's important to make sure that the diarrhea is actually caused from Foal Heat and not from a virus or infection that indicates the foal is sick and needs treatment. A foal suffering from scours due to Foal Heat will still nurse, be active and will not have a temperature or appear sick, from what I understand - some things to look/watch for are:

• A nursing foal will produce a yellowish pasty manure, a sick foal with diarrhea will produce a yellow/brown water manure
• Watch to be sure the foal is nursing and active (you can check the mare and if her udder is very full and dripping milk, it's an indication the foals not nursing and may have lost it's appetite due to illness
• Check temperature, it should be between - 99º and 101.5º F. 
• If you're not sure whether your foal has diarrhea, skin scald is a tell tale sign (loss of hair on bum) 

If you not sure, or certain, contact your vet, illness in a young foal can be fatal and if sick the foal may need antibiotics, or iv to re hydrate etc.

If you have in fact determined the foal has scours do to Foal Heat some treatments are:

• Clean the area with soap and warm water, dry with a soft towel
• Apply petroleum jelly or Preparation
• Repeat, 2 to 3 times a day

We didn't have petroleum jelly on hand, so what we did was clean the area and then treat it with baby oil, not only did it clean up his rear, but it provided moisture to sooth the scald and a slick coating to prevent or help to prevent manure from sticking to his bum. Below you can see the before (left hand side) and after (right hand side) photos. 

Before 

After

for more information visit this websites: American Association of Equine Practitioners

Waiting to leave work..

Waiting to leave work right now, Severe Thunderstorm warning in effect for Southern Alberta.. 

Sun's shining right now, but that's here in Calgary - was off at 2:30 but my ride wasn't here - looked at the window at 2:45 there they were... Come outside and they're gone. It's now 3:12 - the downside to car pooling. 

I want to get to the barn do I can get Mum and Foal into the barn ..  

Weaning a Foal

Found some great information on a Horse Site, have to start noting upcoming tasks we are to do with Atticus at the right times and at the right age. I'm going to consult our training and the facility owner with the weaning of the foal, halter breaking and hoof trimming.



But an interesting part I just read is that there are two methods to weaning a foal:

• Gradual Separation: moving the Mare & Foal into neighboring paddocks where a fence separates them and the foal is unable to feed on her milk
• Abrupt Separation: moving the Mare & Foal as far apart as possible out of eye and earshot of each other

Weaning is usually done between 4 and 6 months, providing the foal is healthy and able to eat on it's own and drink water and that the Mare is healthy and the foal isn't taking away to much from her.. some people wean as late as 9 months if the Mare's healthy and the foals good.

Another great suggestion made is to turn out the foal with other foals who are being weaned or weaned if possible.

information collected from The Horse Health Zone

Another great source to help with the transition and lesson stressed caused is Low-Stress Foal Weaning