The process of giving birth is not an
easy one, by any means! Although I
didn't get the actual birth on camera, I
did get the pictures immediately
following.
As you can see to the left, the baby is
wide awake and trying to figure out her
surroundings. She moved around a
bit, trying to get those long legs to
work, and eventually got on her feet.
It's important for the baby to nurse, but
it will take a while for it to find the right
spot. You might be tempted to help it
out, but let it try to figure things out on
their own first.
On the right, you see the baby right
after mom got up and moved away.
There is also a picture of the afterbirth
still protruding from the mom. I didn't
put this here to gross you out - just to
show you what to expect. This is ok
and normal and will eventually turn
loose and fall out on the ground. You
want to inspect it to make sure that it
looks like it all came out and nothing is
left inside the mother.
The baby will nurse a little, then sleep,
then nurse again, and this will continue
for the first several days. You will also
see the baby moving around, maybe
even jumping and bucking around a
little. The first couple of days are the
easiest to handle the baby, and you
should. Let the baby know you are
there, hold it firmly around the chest
and butt, rub it, feel it, let it know you
are ok. But beware of the momma - if
you naven't handled her much, or she
is a very protective momma, this may
be difficult to do. Don't put yourself in
any danger trying to handle the baby.
Make sure you work with the mom well
beforehand, incase there are any
problems you can handle them safely.
I DO have a foal handling clinic,
coming up this month (March 22). This
will be one of the babies used in the
clinic....
easy one, by any means! Although I
didn't get the actual birth on camera, I
did get the pictures immediately
following.
As you can see to the left, the baby is
wide awake and trying to figure out her
surroundings. She moved around a
bit, trying to get those long legs to
work, and eventually got on her feet.
It's important for the baby to nurse, but
it will take a while for it to find the right
spot. You might be tempted to help it
out, but let it try to figure things out on
their own first.
On the right, you see the baby right
after mom got up and moved away.
There is also a picture of the afterbirth
still protruding from the mom. I didn't
put this here to gross you out - just to
show you what to expect. This is ok
and normal and will eventually turn
loose and fall out on the ground. You
want to inspect it to make sure that it
looks like it all came out and nothing is
left inside the mother.
The baby will nurse a little, then sleep,
then nurse again, and this will continue
for the first several days. You will also
see the baby moving around, maybe
even jumping and bucking around a
little. The first couple of days are the
easiest to handle the baby, and you
should. Let the baby know you are
there, hold it firmly around the chest
and butt, rub it, feel it, let it know you
are ok. But beware of the momma - if
you naven't handled her much, or she
is a very protective momma, this may
be difficult to do. Don't put yourself in
any danger trying to handle the baby.
Make sure you work with the mom well
beforehand, incase there are any
problems you can handle them safely.
I DO have a foal handling clinic,
coming up this month (March 22). This
will be one of the babies used in the
clinic....
