[Canadian Sage]

Now, that Sage seems to be getting better after our lil week of freakness (still waiting West Nile results, Rhino came back negative) and almost losing her, shes getting her personality AND attitude back.

NOW, shes using the attitude on Peanut.

She goes to kick him when he approaches from behind (possibly an issue with whatever she has causing her not to be able to see him or something?), when he goes to suck she pins her ears and bites him, and when Peanut goes to eat hay, she pins her ears and threatens to kick/bite.

I know he is still drinking a bit from her, I am still giving him milk replacer 3 times a day, vet said we could up his milk replacer if we would like, since we aren't 100% sure Sage is still letting him suck, I am assuming she is as she still has a bag and its not tender or anything like that.

So....any ideas what might be going on? Is she possibly "tired" of him already, just giving attitude cuz shes like that....or what?

Like I said, Peanut is happy, healthy and a terror LOL! At least I will have a friendly horse when hes older (dont worry hes not going to be one of those friendly SPOILED horses, my guys all learn to respect space ASAP).

Any thoughts? Suggestions?

[Mutrok]

Somehow I totally missed the thread on Sage! I had to go back and read the whole thing. Glad she is feeling better. How long before you get the WN results?

On the Peanut subject...hmmm...how old is he now? How does she do if he is seperated from her? Does it stress her out more or is she happier?

[Canadian Sage]

Peanut is almost two months. He will be two months on the 17th of this month (WOW where does the time go?).

Hmm its hard to say, when I take them for walks, and we go back in Peanut lags behind and when he is on the other side of the fence (slab wood fence) Sage doesn't seem to care as much anymore that he isn't right behind her..but shes definitally more content with him there (always been a "i like a herd" horse and doesn't do well alone.

[Lady barth]

Do you think it has anything to do with him not nursing her? He probably smells different to her (not her baby anymore) because of the milk replacer.

[SkyeTiger]

Originally Posted by Lady barth

Do you think it has anything to do with him not nursing her? He probably smells different to her (not her baby anymore) because of the milk replacer.

That's a very good thought.

[Canadian Sage]

hmm it is a good thought.

I am going to lessen how much milk replacer he is getting. I have been feeding him 3 times a day, I t hink I am going to go down to two for a bit, and then down to one...and start to gradually wean him off of it.

Sage IS letting him suck between feedings, I check her bag and such when I go and it seems like Peanut is feeding off of her.

[Kicks]

He might be smelling different as other said. You might try 'milking' her a bit and rubbing the milk on him so he smells like her. I've done that in the past to help get 'nurse mares' to accept a baby.

[Rockytop]

I'm glad to hear that Sage is on the mend. I hope that eliminating bottle feedings will bring her around with the foal, but it sure means that you'll have to keep a weather eye open to his condition in case she doesn't let him nurse as often as needed.


Best wishes!