Broodmare Becomes Foster Mom

This summer a new boarder came to our barn with a mare and a 2 month old filly. The night they came the mare coliced and had to be rushed to Michigan State University Veterinary Hospital where she had surgery. The filly had to be left behind as the mare was not able to stand up and would probably have injured the foal in the trailer. She was also no longer able to nurse the foal because of her surgery and stitches. Luckily, the owner had already started the filly, Farsiris on a milk based creep feed, so she was able to eat that several times a day along with some hay. The only problem was that she had no mommy to go out with and my filly was still with her mom who is very protective and would not allow Farsiris to even visit over the fence. Rather than use an older gelding, we decided to use an older broodmare that did not have a foal but had been a great mother to 9 previous foals of her own - Sasha.

Sasha was 19 years old and very gentle and sweet. We put her in the stall next to Farsiris where they could get to know each other thru the bars for a couple of days. Sasha did not squeal or kick at Farsiris when she stuck her little nose thru the bars. By the second day she was sniffing at the foal with her ears forward and staying close to her. Farsiris was not calling for her mom or acting frantic like foals frequently do when separated from their dam. She was content to stay close to Sasha and eat and sleep. We were ready to put them outside together.

The first day we went out to the paddock and kept a halter and lead on Sasha just in case she decided she did not want the filly in her paddock. Sasha just walked off to find some grass to eat. Farsiris cautiously followed her, but kept her distance. Slowly, Sasha let the filly know the rules - she was not to approach from behind (she warned her with a raised leg) - she was not going to nurse (a squeal) - and she could approach her head if she was properly submissive (she put her ears back if Farsiris was too bold). After we were confident that Sasha did not intend any harm to the filly, we left them alone and watched from a distance. Over the next several days we observed them grazing side by side and even grooming one another. Sasha watched over the foal and would get anxious if she was taken from her sight. When it was time for Farsiris to go to her breed inspection, Sasha went with her in the trailer and into the ring. Everyone assumed that Sasha was her dam.

When it was time to wean my filly we separated Farsiris from Sasha also. By this time the two fillies had been running the fence with each other and visiting thru the boards, so they were comfortable with each other. Even though Farsiris lost her mother at an early age - I saw no difference in her mental growth and adjustment. She became a sweet, confident filly due in part I am sure from her foster mom, Sasha.