Nurse Mares.....Fact or fiction?

[BeeHoney]

Yes, as others have said, a lot of complete misinformation. TB mares are NOT separated from their foals prior to a proper weaning age unless by death, rejection of the foal, or some other very serious situation. Mares are NOT separated from their foals so that they can be re-bred. Well, ok, they might be separated for a couple of hours while the mare goes to the breeding shed, but no nurse mare is required for that!

Nurse mares are very expensive to use and require work and supervision for the introduction. It’s not like you can just put the two together and it’s a done deal. It can be risky for the foal and it’s not ideal, just the best way many farms are able to handle a very dire situation such as when a mare dies or attacks her newborn. Farms use nurse mares because raising orphan foals is a very specialized thing. I’ve done it and can say from experience that it was a steep learning curve with a lot of mistakes the first go round.

There are some very excellent posts on this thread that explain the situation well.

In any case, rest assured that live cover in no way increases the use of nurse mares, that’s just pure fantasy. Foals are shipped with their dams to locations at or near where they will be re-bred. Most farms charge only minimal charges for the board and care of that foal–definitely totalling MUCH less than what it costs to get a nurse mare.

[spotted_draft_x_fill]

OP here’s the few discussions on this subject for you. A few of us who have worked with nurse mares whether on a nurse mare farm or having used nurse mares, explain the reasons and procedures, etc…

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?454294-Born-to-Die-Have-you-all-seen-this&highlight=nurse+mares

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?454713-how-many-nurse-mare-foals-have-you-killed-and-skinned&highlight=nurse+mares

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?463309-Last-Chance-Corral&highlight=nurse+mares

[Jonskin]

It’s a shame an organization that does great things has to resort to such tactics. Here’s a good perspective on reality: http://www.horsecollaborative.com/truth-nurse-mares/

[Pronzini]

[QUOTE=Jonskin;8135824]
It’s a shame an organization that does great things has to resort to such tactics. Here’s a good perspective on reality: http://www.horsecollaborative.com/truth-nurse-mares/[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately drama sells but the gullibility of the audience defies belief. All of those thousands of shots of Thoroughbred mares with foals in the Bluegrass are just staged? Do the meanies wait to get pictures and then pull them off the mare? Where are those tens of thousands of nurse mares hiding?

[Laurierace]

I think that is what pisses me off the most about this whole thing. I personally would never use a nurse mare if that meant taking a foal away from his mama. A foal dies and mare is longing for a baby to raise then maybe but not taking a baby away. When these asshats start spewing their propaganda I correct their BS which feels like I am defending the use of nurse mare farms that do take the foals away from their dams.

I imagine the people they are outraging with their lies about live cover and insurance companies and the like forcing mares to be separated from their foals so they can be rebred would be just as outraged at the truth. I don’t get the point of lying.

[propspony]

About 15 years ago, a show that I worked for had an arabian mare that performed in it. She was around 20 and had been dealing with Cushings for a few years already when the decision was made, that it was time for her to retire.

She was in FANTASTIC condition. She was fat, shiny, happy and pretty darn sound for an older lady. She was a barn favorite, treated like royalty, and lacked for ABSOLUTELY nothing. Ever.

On the recommendation of the stable manager, it was decided that she would be donated to a somewhat local, large and well known rescue, along with (I believe) a sizable monetary donation. Prior to this, there had been much communication between both parties, and nothing but respect for the rescue. The rescue claimed they were excited to have such a “high profile” horse retired to their place.

A few months after the mare was donated, the rescue published in their newsletter a scathing story about how the mare had come to them abused, malnourished, and worked to death. They made the company that sent her out to be cold, cruel, heartless villains, and themselves out to be the “saviors” of “This poor gentle soul”

It was complete bull. I’ve never looked at rescues the same way again.

[Kyzteke]

[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8134188]
The calves usually spend 3 days with their mother before they are whisked away (to where?) so they do not suck up all that good milk that people will buy.

OP, if you are appalled at the fate of nurse mare foals (and many/most of them find good homes – the idea of wholesale dumping them at auctions is hyperbole at its finest), then stop drinking milk, cooking with milk, using any product with milk in it.[/QUOTE]

I don’t think the OP is buying LCC propaganda.

However for those who might, I can tell you where many of the little male calves go – into veal. They are kept in tiny “houses” (like big dog houses) where they can barely stand or turn around, much less run or play.

This keeps the meat nice & tender. That is your “milk-fed veal” folks. Over in Washington, there are farms filled with these houses.

Actually those foals have it pretty darn good compared to calves…

[Beaver_Breeze]

Needed two this year. One mare died post-foaling (young mare, ruptured artery), one refused her foal after dystocia (also a young mare).

Nobody uses a nurse mare if they don’t absolutely need one. It’s expensive and a PITA.

[Aspercel]

Lost my mare a month after she gave birth. The nurse mare was expensive and a huge pita, but I was very lucky to have her. Definitely not something that is done unless absolutely necessary.

[mommy_peanut]

Thank you for those that took the time to read my OP & respond with helpful posts.
It seems there is much info out there on this subject, it’s just a matter of weeding through the BS to find the facts.
Your input was much appreciated

[Shammy_Davis]

I’m a little late to this thread but enjoyed reading the comments. Some years back I read an article in a KER newsletter on this subject. One of the subtitled paragraphs discussed " hormone induced lacatation." As I recall reseach was just beginning.

Here is the IVIS 2002 link on the subject.

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/aaep/2002/910102000068.PDF

Wondering if anyone has had any experience with this method.

[On_the_Farm]

[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;8154539]
I’m a little late to this thread but enjoyed reading the comments. Some years back I read an article in a KER newsletter on this subject. One of the subtitled paragraphs discussed " hormone induced lacatation." As I recall reseach was just beginning.

Here is the IVIS 2002 link on the subject.

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/aaep/2002/910102000068.PDF

Wondering if anyone has had any experience with this method.[/QUOTE]

I haven’t personally but in speaking with my old boss, she related that she required a nurse mare for a client’s foal this year and that the mare’s lactation was chemically induced. I was planning on speaking with her tomorrow so I’ll see if I can learn some details.

[propspony]

I don’t know chemical induction, but I could loan you my (now) 3 year old. She managed to convince her 28 year old weaning buddy, who hadn’t had a foal in over 20 years, to lactate for her when we weaned her. facepalm

That filly can charm anything out of anyone… #ThisIsNOTHowWeaningWorksGuys…

[On_the_Farm]

[QUOTE=On the Farm;8158613]
I haven’t personally but in speaking with my old boss, she related that she required a nurse mare for a client’s foal this year and that the mare’s lactation was chemically induced. I was planning on speaking with her tomorrow so I’ll see if I can learn some details.[/QUOTE]

Sorry to be so late, but extra time has been in short supply lately. From what I learned, chemically induced mares are a challenge due to not having any maternal instincts to accompany their milk production. As usual also, the chemicals are very tough on their bodies.

Comes down to what one wants to trade off.