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Thread III: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1311311/posts |
Posted on 09/18/2004 6:56:23 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
ROTFL!
First, I thought of this when we were going to town. Be sure to spray the navel several times a day with iodine for a week or so. They can get some really bad illness thru the navel.
I put a halter on our baby about the 2nd day, for short periods without a lead rope. I didn't leave it. Just put it on let her get use to the feel, then take it off. About 2 days of that and I attached a lead rope, but never pulled on it, except to gently turn her head. If she went back I went with her putting the slighest pressure on the halter. As soon as she stopped I would let off the pressure and pat her. If I wanted her to come forward I'd put the slightest pressure on the halter and as soon as she came forward, even if it was accidental, I'd let the pressure off and pat. She was leading well by the time she was 2 wks old. I never tied her tho, till she was older. it's amazing how fast they can learn to give to the slighest amount of pressure.
Becky
This is Deaconjim.
Thanks for letting me know that. I have yet to get the color names figured out.
He wasn't too eager to be touched, but got a little more used to it. The first time I went in this morning, he walked right up to me and let me handle him a little.
RoS just came and got me because the foal was down. After a good bit of handling to make sure he wasn't injured, I manage to get him on his feet (with a good bit of lifting). He's up and walking with Misty, and trying to nurse, but he still seems weak. Should we be concerned?
Not at all, the foal needs sleep and should be left alone to do it. She'll lay down most times when she's not running or eating. Providing a dry place for them both to lay down would be best... dump some shavings out there if the ground is wet and slushy still and let them sleep.
Have you seen him nurse? Do you know that he is getting something? You should be able to see gulps going down as he swallows.
Becky
Good question... I assumed so.
Best we can tell, he's nursing. She does have milk, and he's working at it pretty good. I wasn't concerned about him until he didn't get up when I started handling him. He seems to be o.k. now though.
I have to leave for work in a few minutes, so I just wanted to make sure we didn't have a problem.
Thanks to both of you for the help.
The first important milestone is nursing, the second is a bowel movement. They are born with a kind of waxy plug that can sometimes be difficult to pass, and sometimes they need some help. Has he had bowel movement?
I bet he's just really tired, if this is the first time he's gone down. Are you going to have a vet out to check them both?
Yes, he's had a bowel movement. He's up running and playing now, so I guess he's alright. I suppose we just got in some good imprinting time. I moved him around, checked for broken bones, and rolled him over without any kind of a fight. After I stood him up, he stood there with me as long as I held on to him. That's the most contact we've had so far.
OK - just let him rest then.... after a few days you'll see that they play hard and then sleep hard, and you'll see him down often, it won't scare you any more.
I was going to say your post was good too. Foals do spend more time laying down then not, especially the first couple of weeks. They'll get up and run around for short periods then nap:)
Are his legs straight? No bucking out at the knees, or flexing back, weak pasterns?
Those are the first things to check. Most crooked legs can be fixed if they are dealt with from the start. He's probably fine, don't mean to scare you or have you looking for problems:). But crooked legs can be a common problem because they have been so cramped up in mom.
Most of the babies we've had would let you walk up and mess with them when they were laying down. That's good, and a good time to rub him all over, mess with his ears, mouth, legs, hoofs. Get's them use to being touched. Heck, I've practically laid down on top of them:)
Becky
It doesn't surprise me that all babies have about the same needs. :~D
Horses and humans body functions are very similar:)
Becky
What are you feeding momma? Have you got a good mare and foal feed?
LOL...we sound like a bunch of ole grandma's:)
Becky
Don't know why but it just surprised me that you would watch for the same things in foals. Makes sense though. The docs even check limbs like Becky was talking about esp for broken clavicles or dislocated hips. The first hours are important for bonding (with mom) too.
Well, what else should we sound like? Isn't that what everyone does with new moms? Flood them with all kinds of information and advice?
:~D
LOL.
With foals, it's double the work too. Not only are there alot of physical needs to meet, you want to start "training" too, so as to make that as easy as possible.
Becky
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