This Mother Horse Refuses Her Baby

The foal was born just this morning, but sadly, his mother is rejecting him and showing affection toward another baby in the next pen. She believes the foal born three days ago is her own, but this isn’t. She’s completely attached to that one and constantly searching for him, while completely ignoring her real baby. This happened when she mistakenly bonds with the wrong foal due to the confusion right after birth. She first smells another foal in close quarters, which is why she imprints on that one and rejects her own. The woman who owns them is working on gently reintroducing her baby while using scent from the afterbirth to help her recognize him. The two are being kept together in a small, calm space to encourage bonding, and she is supervising closely to ensure the foal is safe and able to nurse. If needed, a vet can also administer oxytocin to boost her maternal instincts. It’s a delicate situation, but with care and patience, there’s still a chance she’ll accept her baby.

Credit: hotsaucetheminihorse

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