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A nurse mare foal is a foal born to a mare that is going to be used as a nurse to another “more valuable” foal. Why are nurse mares necessary? They are used so that the other mare, usually of Thoroughbred racing stock, can immediately be re-bred for another foal next year. (http://www.lastchancecorral.org/WhatIsNMFoal.aspx)
And what happened to the nurse mare’s foal? Her foal is usually killed, being considered a by-product of an industry.
The Last Chance Corral is a non-profit horse rescue in Athens, Ohio. They rescue between 150 and 200 of these “nurse mare foals” A YEAR! There is nothing wrong with these foals. They can grow up to be 4-H horses, trail companions, and even show winners.
The following video is 19 of the 80 foals they took in during 2010. This is the first time these foals have been out in the “big paddock,” experiencing a life many thought they did not deserve.
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It costs a lot to raise a nurse mare foal – The Last Chance corral spends money on vet care and, of course, replacement milk since these babies are not weaned when they are taken away from their mom. Currently, The Last Chance Corral is in the running for a $5,000 grant, which would be a lot of mare’s milk for their foals. All you have to do is vote by going here.
If you are interested in adopting a foal, visit their website LastChanceCorral.org.
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