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cow milk base. Plasma is equine in origin (it comes from horses) and therefore will have anti-bovine antibodies since they are two different species. The huge dose of antibodies given in the plasma reacts to the bovine protein from the milk replacer and the result is an anaphylactic reaction. The solution is to administer the plasma first before any milk replacer has been fed. If you are using a nurse mare or goat’s milk this cross-reaction won’t be a problem. Interestingly, there tends to not be cross- reaction problems between goat’s milk and plasma. This may be because goat’s milk tends to be more similar to mare’s milk. Additionally, as we see in humans, cow’s milk appears to be more allergenic,
which may be why these reactions can be so severe. Orphaned foals are a tough situation, and
it can feel truly overwhelming. However, don’t be discouraged. By addressing age specific needs, focusing on the quality and source of nutrition, and the overall health of the foal, that little orphan can survive, thrive and even go on to be a stakes winner someday. When you lose a mare and are facing the prospect of raising an orphaned foal, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a sprint, but it’s really more like a marathon... and as my husband always likes
to remind me, while time is of the essence, patience is a must!
Keani Bob, a 2016 gelding, was orphaned at 8 days old. Thanks to social media, the foal found a nurse mare at 9.5 days old. He went on to become a multiple stakes winner with over $400,000 in earnings for owner Michael Grossman of Eureka Thoroughbred Farm.
54 New Mexico Horse Breeder