The Foals First Milk, The Colostrum
Your next concern is making sure your foal figures out how to nurse. Usually nature takes its’ course so the mare and foal are able to do just fine without you. Give them a chance to work it out. A foal can go for hours before drinking and still be fine, although the sooner the better.
Sometimes the foal will go searching in the wrong places but you can assist by cradling her and move her to the area of the teats. (That would qualify for foal imprinting, all handling is imprinting). If she needs extra help to find the teats, once you have brought her to where she needs to be, have someone place their hand on the top of the foal’s head, guiding it under the mare while someone on the other side can guide the teat to the foals mouth. The mare is usually dripping milk at this point and the foal will get a taste and smell and start sucking.
The first milk is called Colostrum. It prevents disease and gives the foal immunity and good health for her future. My advice is to stay near by until you know your foal is drinking.
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