Orphan Res Foals

[MNick]

Before I begin this post is being created to share/document my experience with horses from the Res. I own a gorgeously bred OTTB who is my world, my Bowie Miscellaneous who is an absolute doll and took on four orphan foals just recently. This post isn’t to debate about All Seated in a Barn (who have been a wonderful rescue to deal with) or about what should have happened to the foals. I just want to share a little cuteness.

These babies should have been kept with their moms, herds should be managed but here we are. My goal is to set them up for success and keep them healthy. They will eventually go in with my TB who is FANTASTIC. The gentling process has started and I have till Thursday to get halters on these babies for their follow up vet visit on Thursday. Is this my dream scenario? No. Is my heart happy to do it? Absolutely!

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[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

Oh, you got the one with the rings around his eyes! He stuck out to me in that video. (At least, I think that’s him?)

Those are four very lucky babies!

[Paint_Party]

Thank you for sharing this story. It’s wonderful that you have the space and resources, along with the knowledge and dedication, to do this. That’s four little lives spared an ugly end!

[luvmyhackney]

They are so precious and innocent, I’m so glad you were able to help 4 of these sweet babies.

[Kinda_Kooky]

MNick seriously has a heart of gold. She cares solely about the animals, she’s one of those rare folks that will absolutely step up to any horse in need. No matter the challenge. I am thrilled she saved the four.

I am so lucky to have met her and to have my Bowie horse in her care.

These foals are going to have the best start they could hope for. But the others need help still.

If Mr. Kooky wasn’t all, “You just got a baby horse”, I would be all over these foals.

They are well made and absolutely need knowledgeable people to thrive.

I am working on wearing Mr. Kooky down, I swear, but the heat has him prickly in his resolve, no matter the volume of cold snacks I feed him.

Doesn’t anyone here want a BABY HORSE???

You could have 2 or 3 or ???

Aghast at the lack of foal foolishness.

I mean really, what’s wrong with you guys?!!

You know you want one. Do it.

In the spirit of the Summer Pony. Get a foal.

Please???

[Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom]

Trust me, if I was not so far away, I would be seriously considering it! But I can’t imagine putting young babies through a 12-14 hour trailer ride in this heat.

I am happy to contribute to anyone else who wants to adopt a foal or two or five, though!

ETA: And I LOVE that you know those books! I thought I was the only one who’d obsessively read Summer Pony and Winter Pony.

[Kinda_Kooky]

Long distance should not matter with these foals, a box stall will get them where they need to be. The worst of it is sitting at Bowie.

They are cheap and needy and small to ship!

Best birthday or graduation or anniversary present…or bad idea you could ever want!

[MNick]

@Kinda_Kooky you are so sweet. Boosted my spirits x 10.Takes a horse nut to know a horse nut! Mr. Kooky is going to be very surprised when I slip a baby in with your boy I think he should just cave…what’s one more?! You already have to get a shipper! let me go shopping for you!

@Alex_and_Bodie_s_Mom I’m not sure where you’re located but they are taking a load of them to California! I believe they are all out of Bowie now but still looking for placement. Bulk of them I believe are in Fort Worth. I’m 90% sure this little filly is the one you are referring to!

@luvmyhackney the plan was one fortunately we have the space for now and I have the time at the moment to really pour into them. Plus…I’m going to need something to hug and cry into when I have to say goodbye to Kinda Kookys boy!

[trubandloki]

@MNick

Giggle, when in doubt just climb into the trough to get a better hay selection.

[MunchingonHay]

@MNick Thank you so much for taking 4 of these foals. You have a heart of gold. If I was working I would take a pair and have them loose in my yard. HOA be damned!!

I am looking forward to seeing updates on them when you can.

[MNick]

Little babes had their follow up vet appointment today. Did a CBC to make sure each foal improved since their original blood draw. This is required by All Seated In A Barn to ensure each baby is able to receive the support that they need.

This is my ONLY experience with reservation horses…as of right now I adore them. The gentling process is continuing. Elsa (Pink) is very tame at this point. Walker (light blue) and Maple (red) are officially eating out of my hand.

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Lastly Mo (red) is not quite on board yet. Once we can easily love on them and approach them they will go out with my gelding. Even though Kinda Kooky’s boy is DYING to go in with them.

As of right now they LOVE alfalfa, drink water like crazy, have refused milk (milk replacer, goats milk), are picking through Buckeye milk pellets but they just want nothing to do with everything I want them to prioritize our amazing vet did give them a thumbs up as each baby looks fantastic.

[MorganMaresVT]

How did these four lucky ducks end up being “the ones” for you? They are very cute, hope to see them thrive.

[MNick]

@MorganMaresVT I didn’t choose I have access to a mare that is lactating, she belongs to my best friend. She is the one to try to steal babies and has been an amazing mom. Our goal was to graft the youngest to her. It didn’t work out but we were prepared for that. I think (not 100% sure) I was one of the first or seconds to pull horses out of there. Just a timing thing, some were already at the vet. So they asked me to find the smallest to get them out of those conditions. As I was walking through checking and rechecking, Walker stepped forward and locked eyes with me. Just stared at me with bright eyes. So he made the list

[Paint_Party]

Those faces! How could anyone not love them?

Which one is the little bitty one on the end, in the red halter with the catch rope and the big white blaze? Is that Maple? Is it a colt or filly? That one is particularly petite and adorable.

[Aussie_2020]

Well according to forehead whorls all of those foals have theirs positioned to devote calm, intelligent equines.

Badda bing! Luck flowing all around

[MNick]

I mixed them up! Mo is wearing red, he is a colt and the other little is Maple (filly). Those two are about 2ish-3weeks.

@Aussie_2020 I will take all of the luck I can get Maple and Mo will eventually head to southern Cali. I’m going to raise them for sixth months so that they have socialization time with my gelding and a little foundation to work off of. Good natures will be highly rewarded

[MNick]

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The flies have been horrible but I am now finally able to fly spray two of them and swat their body’s so that they rub on the others all four will approach me but I’m not allowed to approach two of them quite yet. Baby steps. We ordered itty bitty fly masks so that’ll at least keep them out of their eyes!

[Marla_000]

I still want to foalnap little red halter. That one is so huggable
Actually, they are all adorable.
Lucky you and lucky babies too.

[Aussie_2020]

In the picture showing three facing and one away, the one in the blue halter has different eyes. Especially the left eye. Is it just the pic angle?

[MNick]

The flies have been so bad and they smother that one in particular. Both eyes are wide open at night but during the day her poor eyes are attacked. We’ve had so much rain followed by heat and humidity 🫠