On Sunday June, 18, 2010, Lifesavers Project Manager Mike Holmes went out to feed, water and check on the Pilot Valley horses that had recently been purchased by Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue. What he didn't expect to find was an hours old newborn foal tangled up in her umbilical cord and afterbirth.
Mike finds the foal and places a call for volunteers.
Mike Cuts the umbilical cord and untangles the foal.
Getting the foal to stand up.
The foal's dam was a very young mare that appeared to be socially disassociated from the other horses in the corral and showed no interest in her foal. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to get the mare to join up with her foal, a decision was made to treat her as an orphan.
Volunteers assisted from LRTC and the Wild Horse Preservation League.
Shirley Allen and Bonnie Matton give the foal some bottled colostrum.
Providing antibiotics as a precaution.
The foal was transported to LRTC's orphan foal project in Dayton, NV.
In the "foal compartment" of the pickup.
Getting some formula in the "foal room."
Ready for a nap!.
Newborn foals who don't get their mother's colostrum are tricky rescues. Although bottled colostrum stimulates some immunity, it's mom's colostrum and milk that provides the best protection for any locally present infectious hazards. So far this foal, named "Summer" for her unusual arrival time, is gaining strength and vitality. The volunteers are optimistic about her long term prognosis.
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