"George" the orphaned foal
George had a rough start. Ten days after his birth his mother passed away. Don and Connie, friends of George's owners, brought him here June 2nd hoping to find a mare to nurse him. (George's owners were out of town, frantic about their baby, but unable to find a flight back.) A foal's survival depends on proper nutrition, and they nurse every 20 minutes to an hour for the first several weeks of their life. Fortunately Brio, one of the mares here at the ranch, had just weaned her baby two weeks before and still had milk. We began working day and night with Brio and George trying to bond them. We are happy to report that less than 48 hours after George arrived, Brio had taken George as her baby; but they still had to be monitored around the clock when nursing . Brio was having issues with George suckling at times because he is very aggressive when nursing and makes her sore. George had gone several hours without nursing before he came to the ranch, so he was very intense about eating. We continued working with Brio and George until he was out of danger. His owners then took Brio and George home and let Brio mother him until he was ready to be weaned. It is truly heartwarming to see owners and their friends who care so much for their baby that they go to such extraordinary measures to save him.
To the races!!!!
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Gary and Ida picked up Brio and George on the 14th of June and took both to their farm in Tampa Florida, They did very well on the trailer ride home, Brio was on loan until George was old enough to be weaned, We are sure George will grow to be a strong racehorse! Brio was very bonded to George and took excellent care of him! Hence the saying "Blessed are the broodmares!" Anyone who has ever attempted bottle raising a foal will appreciate a good hearted mare willing to take on an orphan! Best of Luck to George, his family and friends! He is in good hands and very blessed!
We will miss him, his owners, and Connie's cookies!!!!
UPDATE! ..as of 10-25 -06 George is doing very well. He has been weaned from Brio and now is pastured with a playmate! Briosa is now back at Rancho Del Zorro and looks just beautiful! Ida and Gary took such wonderful care of her while she was visiting their ranch. We couldn't be more pleased !