Another mare and nursing foal question

[farmerlor]

So you know that just two weeks ago my Percheron mare and my appy mare gave birth. We kept the two mamas apart in separate stalls for a week to make sure both babies were nursing well and gaining weight before we let the mares back out in the pasture to graze. Today I noticed that the appy's baby Scarlett is nursing off my Percheron mare. My mare, ever the best Momma horse in the whole world, does not mind and is taking care of both HER girls now. Is letting two foals nurse off her going to be a hardship for her?

 

[CurlyLindsay]

I don't think there is a textbook answer to your question! I think most of the time if would be an undue stress on the mare, but some mares may handle it fine. Given that she's a draft breed with a half draft foal (right?) helping nurse a light breed horse, it may be no problem at all. I would definitely give her extra feed and monitor her weight- and don't let the real momma dry up- if the percheron starts having problems with weight or keeping up her milk you'll want to be able to divide them up and not have to bottle feed!

 

[lorieMN]

she should be fine,just make sure they dont suck her down to much..I have had this happen before and they just nursed off whichever mare was closer..just means you have a very good momma.

 

[farmerlor]

That's good to know. I'm pretty sure she's still nursing on her own mother, she just prefers to hang out with my old girl and her baby. I just don't want my old mare to get sick from being nursed dry and I certainly don't want to run out of milk for that great big baby she gave birth to. Seems unlikely that the little appy cross could drink a whole lot of milk comparatively speaking but I worry, that's what I do.