Rescue Resources
As we've grown we have been contacted by a number of rescues for nurse mares and would love to help in these situations! Often times our nurse mare fees are out of attainable reach for 501c3 rescues when in an emergent situation. Our goal is to help every foal in need. For this ColdSpring Nurse Mares has come up with a concept we are calling “Mares on a Mission - M.O.M”.
With that in mind, we are challenging our followers to meet us half way. ColdSpring Nurse Mares, LLC is willing to donate the 6 month useage of our nurse mares to 501c3 rescues needing a nurse mare if we can fund raise to cover the expenses of bringing the mares into lactation.
The rescue would only be responsible for the shipping expenses incurred at time of booking. By doing this the rescue incurs a much more feasible upfront cost and is still able to secure the best possible outcome for the future of the foal.
We would require the rescue to provide us with bi-weekly updates of the mare and foal, which we would share with our followers and donors!
Foals in Need
Foals can find themselves in the care of a rescue for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, owners fall on hard times and can no longer afford their animals and they are surrendered to a rescue. Sometimes foals are born with issues that their owner’s cannot afford and they are surrendered so they can get the care they need.
Sadly, many foals find themselves orphaned in “kill pens” when their bio moms are shipped to slaughter. In this situation it is extremely important the foals are given every possible advantage they can get - as they’re exposed to a variety of challenges stemming from their stay in pens.
A final possibility we have had happen is the rescue of wild horses! Thankfully many wild horse bands across America remain free to roam but have watchful eyes on them. Lucky for these horses, when something goes wrong there are proper channels to get care to these foals. They are often picked up from the range and given any medical attention they may need. Foals can need rescued from the wild for a number of reasons. Their mom’s may pass during the birthing process or be injured, they may be born to a first-time mom who doesn’t know how to take care of the foal, or they may be rejected by their mothers even. When these foals do not get the colostrum and nutrients they need from their mares in the first 24 hours they very quickly begin to tank and are in vulnerable positions. Although babies can be bucket or bottle fed, the influence of a well socialized adult horse in addition to the nutrition will help these foals thrive and adjust to being domesticated. Unfortunately once they have been taken off the range, they cannot return to the wild for a number of reasons. Given the foal must be regularly handled and monitored in the rescues they would lose their natural fear and flight/fight responses setting them up for failure if returned to the wild. A good nurse mare has a way of quickly teaching the babies what is safe and how the world works, making a safer situation for handlers and the foal alike!
Donating to M.O.M
We will be setting up a public funding page shortly where we will keep an accurate tally of the money raised and how many mares are on rescue reserve in case of need for 2025. In the mean time, if you would like to contribute contact us directly for information on how to do so.