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has insufficient immunity because its dam’ s colostrum was poor or it did not ingest enough, it is given colostrum if still possible and receives hyperimmune plasma intravenously. Preventive anti-ulcer treatments are often administered. At Haras de la Cour du Chasseur, new arrivals are first fed by bottle or bucket for 24 hours to properly assess their general condition and control milk intake. If blood results are poor, antibiotic treatment is started. If they are feverish or weak, Bénédicte Barrier has them hospitalised at Livet Equine Hospital near Livarot, as a foal’ s condition can deteriorate rapidly. In any case, adoption can only take place with a healthy foal capable of suckling properly. Some are orphaned“ simply” due to haemorrhage or colic in the dam; others have experienced a physically traumatic birth( malpresentation and / or oversized foals) and are affected by it. For around two weeks after adoption, Bénédicte and her team continue feeding the foals by bucket or bottle, even though some youngsters, having discovered the udder, accept it less readily. Milk supplements are gradually reduced as the mare’ s lactation increases and the foal gains weight. A foal generally gains one to two kilos per day during the adoption phase.
Instant Adoption Contrary to popular belief, adopting slightly older foals is not the easiest.“ Every case is different. Some foals will refuse a nurse mare because they sense she doesn’ t want them. Then we’ ll offer another and everything goes wonderfully,” says Bénédicte Barrier.“ Adoption is more complicated once the foal is over fifteen days old,” adds Éric Alron.“ It has to forget its mother. A newborn is a simple adoption; an older foal is a double adoption between nurse mare and foal. Only a third of our mares are suited to that.” A successful adoption is almost instantaneous:“ The mare doesn’ t change her mind,” according to Éric Alron.“ Ten minutes after meeting, the nurse and foal are together in the box,” confirms Bénédicte Barrier.“ They stay there for about fifteen days to strengthen their bond and prevent accidents. It also protects against diseases that might circulate between foals.” Footbaths, disposable gloves and hand sanitiser are placed in front of every box at Haras de la Cour du Chasseur. Each foal is assigned a specific bottle teat colour. Its development and weight gain are carefully recorded on its chart. If all goes well, the foal can return to its breeders with its nurse mare ten to twenty days after adoption. Thanks to the guardian angels at Haras de la Cauvelière and Haras de la Cour du Chasseur, its sporting future is preserved.
FOAL RAISED WITHOUT AN ADULT: DANGER AHEAD
Having an orphan foal adopted or at least pro- viding it with an adult reference horse to educate it is essential so that it will later be sociable with its peers and manageable by humans. A foal deprived of this bond will often struggle to find its place with either species. The showjumping stallion turned foundation sire Diamant de Sémilly is one example. The Selle Français was bucket-raised after his dam died, alongside another orphan, at the Levallois family stud in the Manche. Diamant became a true crack, crowned team world champion in 2002 with his rider Éric Levallois. However, the highly dominant stallion tended to attack other males and was also aggressive and prone to biting humans. He did not pass on this trait to his offspring, proving it was an educational issue rather than intrinsic temperament.“ It is recognised that foals raised without a mare are too close to humans, whom they eventually consider as fellow horses and easily push around,” explains Dr Valérie Picandet, neonatology specialist at Livet Equine Hospital in Calvados.“ They are often difficult to educate and sometimes dangerous. These are established observations, even if no scientific studies have been conducted. Trotters often become difficult to harness, for example. We therefore advise against raising a foal by bottle
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