He was born on 7 November 2008 at 9:15am.  It was a normal foaling until the until your worst nightmare unfolds - his mother had a quick look at her newborn and then died due to internal complications.  A very sad day but a newborn foal to now take care of.  We got the vet out, milked the mare and tubed the foal to ensure he got some colostrum.  Did a quick ring around to try and find some more colostrum and struggled - we can't believe that all vets don't have it on hand, especially in the breeding season!  Located some at Quirindi so did the mad dash picked it up and some Divetelac as well.  We tried in vain to feed this foal with a bottle and it was a frustrating affair.  So we put it in a bowl and he guzzled it - so from then on he has been fed out of a bucket with no problems.  We felt happier that he had two lots of colostrum and then fed him the Divetelac for the first 24 hours every 3 hours.    Our vets recommended Biolac foal milk and we got him onto that the next day.  It has been fantastic.  He loves it!  It is a milk powder "that has been specially produced for foals and is based on credible scientific research works into the composition of mare's milk" (Biolac Animal Milk Products).  We followed the instructions of 120g per litre and fed him 2 1/2 litres every 3 hours for the first three weeks and have now stretched him out to 3 litres every 4 hours through the night and still 2 litres every 3 hours during the day.  Since about week 4 we left him with a mixture of feeds including lucerne chaff, pellets, oats.  He is doing really well and cheeky as ever.  It is very hard not to spoil him!  Every now and then though he reminds you he is actually a horse!  We believe that by feeding him smaller amounts regularly has kept him a lot healthier and has avoided the pot belly look.  A lot more effort but worth it.

Story sent in by Jamie and Tanya of Jaytee ASH Stud - NSW

Congratulations to you both as the little bloke looks fantastic, not your typically poddy orphan. Cheers Toni