They require continuous monitoring/food/care. They drink 2-5 gallons of milk re-placer per day per foal (and it is very expensive, plan on $100-$300/month per foal).  They also get hay (free choice), special foal pellets, Omelene 300 or equivalent. They need daily exercise such as turn out in a safe round pen & a nice stroll to practice leading. Their care is quite time consuming for this first month (plan on a lack of sleep, but it is well worth it). And actually for the first 3-4 months until they are weaned off the milk.

You also have to be aware of potential problems and if one occurs catch it quick and correct it! Diarrhea, ulcers, and colic are just a few (basically the same issues as a normal foal could have). One cause of scours/diarrhea in the foals is do to the fact that foals are born with a sterile gut (lacking normal bacteria we all have in our intestines). Regular foals that have mom's will (sorry this is gross but true) eat their mom's feces to gain that bacteria. A NMF doesn't have a mom around. So, you must introduce those bacteria into their system (pro bios, other horse’s feces- I would only recommend this if they are your horses). It also helps with scours to feed your foal one tablespoon of vanilla/plain yogurt per gallon of milk re-placer. Ulcers can be another issue with NMF’s do to the amount of stress these foals experience and the particles in the milk re-placer. However, a good preventative measure is to give your foal a DAILY over the counter antacid treatment (like Zantac/Tagment/etc generic forms are available), though I have found with most foals this is not necessary. You crush this up and add it to their morning milk. Scours is usually caused by over eating, over feeding, or poor digestion. Remember that a foal will always seem to be hungry, but milk replacer will cause scours if the foal is overfed.

Your new foals must be kept warm. This can be problematic. I wouldn't recommend getting a newborn if you don't have a barn/shed/garage to keep them in and means to heat the barn if it is cold. They need more than a blanket, and may require heat lamps. Environmental temperature should be about 65-75 degrees F. for the first few weeks of life. Otherwise, maintain this temperature for other foals if they are sick or weak.

We also recommend straw as bedding apposed to other methods (shavings/saw dust). Straw allows the foal to bed down in it and provides better insulation to keep them warm. If you are worried about absorption use shavings etc on the bottom and add straw on the top for warmth. Make sure stall stays draft free, and clean of any manure. Always provide dry bedding.

Really, NMF's are just like normal foals with the exception of not having mom around (you are mom). The only additional requirements are milk replacer, and special care to get them over the stress of being transported, the introduction of normal gut bacteria and a warm shelter. One thing I do have to note is that when these babies arrive at the rescue they can be quite sick for the following reasons: Stress of transport usually within days of being born (in some cases twice- to the rescue then again to their new homes) Stress of being separated from mom, from lack of food- they do not take to their milk re-placer right away or because of the stress of travel. Once you get them past this first month they will generally do well (first month is full of worry with eating/diarrhea/etc). Then they are like normal babies in concerns to training/vaccinations (although you treat them like babies who's mom's weren't vaccinated because you don't know)/etc. You do need to plan for the expense of a NMF. Milk re-placer, foal pellets, grain. hay, wormer, vaccinations, supplies, and vet visits can add up. But, are well worth it in the end to save one of these precious babies. If you have any questions or need further assistance in acquiring a NMF please let us know! Thank you!