Is it impossible to raise foal with no mother?

[onthespot]

I had a colt once that got strangles at a month old and couln't bend his neck to nurse. I still had the mare and she looked after the baby, but I had to milk her out several times a day and feed the colt to keep her milk in production. Sometimes I would milk her out on the ground just to take pressure off the teat, and not feed it to him. She was a heavy milker. What a pain in the BUTT but at least the foal grew up normal, psychologically. It was a TON of work. Don't ever want to do it again, much less with a real orphan.

 

[texasgal]

Is it impossible? No

Has anyone ever done it before? Yes. Many times.

Is it ideal? No

I'm sure there is plenty of material on the internet about it .. it sounds like a fun project for you to research!

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
2x

 

[featherfooted]

Yes, it is possible, and Yes, they don't have to become brats. My Daughter's Show horse was raised on a bottle as he's mother died when he was 15 hours old. He is now 12 years old and out grew both his parents. His dad was 14.3 and his mom was 15.0 and he's a 16.1 Quarter horse.

Here he is as a 3 year old

 

[Chicken Charlotte]

Wow everyone that is great information!

I dont think I want to try it unless necessary it sounds difficult! I mean I raised a calf and that was a LOAD of work so I dont know.

 

[twistedwire]

Quote:
It's really apples to oranges with raising a bucket calf. Do NOT try to raise a foal that way just for fun.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
It's really apples to oranges with raising a bucket calf. Do NOT try to raise a foal that way just for fun.

2x