Veterinary Management of Equine Reproduction: Orphan Foals

The orphan foal needs to have its scent disguised in order for the mare to want to take the foal. She may even need to be sedated or tranquilized at first. The odor can be disguised with whiskey, linseed oil, foster mother's milk, urine, feces and more. A strong odor needs to cover the foal. It is then put on the mare's nose. She may also need to be restrained at first. If the mare is incompatible with the foster mother's colostrum, the foal may get a condition called neonatal isoerythrolysis. This could be dangerous and life threatening, and I would guess more likely since it is a donor mare, rather than the foal's actual dam. A veterinarian should test for the condition if the foal shows signs. However, if a foal is getting a foster mother, it may not get the colostrum it needs from her and may need supplements. Since the mare may want to reject the foal, she may not let it eat as much as if it were not rejected. The mare may refuse to let the foal nurse unless you go through these processes, otherwise you will have to find other options that do not involve a nurse mare.