He’s so tired!
Oh yeah she’s going down!
Did you see him fall down a little while ago? Now take that bottle, baby!
ETA: Yes! he’s sucking it down.
ETA2: Whoa, have they finally got him nursing?
Yes, he took quite the spill.
Dinner is served!
Let’s hope now that Tiya’s been milked and had the pressure relieved she’ll be more receptive to little Bottle Baby nursing on her.
Does it look to you like he’s finally, finally nursing?
It looks like he may have had a few sips but nothing substantial. He is probably really tired.
She looks to be asleep on her feet.
Well everybody looks dejected.
Oooh. Looks like they are building a barrier.
Oho! They’ve brought in bales of hay or straw to cordon off baby from mom.
Whoops! Baby just rolled over the bale wall!
ETA: At least he seems to have gotten a good feed via bottle, so hopefully he got enough colostrum.
I wonder if getting a first time mother used to her udder being handled (well before the foal is born) would be a good practice?
Those poor people – not the kind of mare/foal bonding they were looking forward to! It’s a long night for them. I sure hope Tiya when she comes to decides she wants to be a good mommy.
Leave the door open and little Larry is going to take a hike.
I would think so. On the other hand, you figure at foaling it’s full to bursting with milk and as I understand it can be darn painful to touch.
By the way, Googling foal rejection turns up the fact that it’s more often found in Arabians.
Primadonnas the lot of them!
Ha! I saw that too.
Now those poor people have collapsed onto the bale wall. The woman dropped her face into her hands. I think they see a rough next few days, trying to get Tiya to accept her maternal duties.
But now Larry’s over schmoozing with them.
Now she’s taken Larry back to try nursing again.
I love Larry. I wish I could help in person.
Somethings got the gray mare all riled up.
Interesting paragraph from this webpage:
Interesting. As simple as one front leg held off the ground restraints a balky mare.
Looks like the vet left for the time being.
It’s very difficult for a horse to kick or lunge away if one leg is being held up. On the other hand they’re wicked strong and if they really want to rip free they can do it. They tend not to, though, because they fear falling since they’re already somewhat off balance.
More than once I’ve held a foreleg up so a vet could work on a horse who otherwise wasn’t having any of that, thankyouverymuch. Usually (not always) it works.
Well I’m afraid I’m going to have to leave you in charge ETF. I’ve gotta get some shut eye. I’ll dream of a happily bonded Mom and Larry.
Ha! I was just about to say, I’m off to a belated bedtime. Hopefully we’ll awaken to a decently motherly mare.
ETA: She’s coming to, and not reacting badly when Larry gets into position. Whether he’s actually got the teat, I think not, but she hadn’t even been permitting him to get close, so this is progress.
And so to bed.