Holme Grove Barbarella, 12 year old mare by Holme Grove Solomon found dead in field 12th June 2006

We had a very big shock today to find our beautiful home bred mare Holme Grove Barbarella dead in the field!  She was in good health and had shown no signs of illness.  She has her 2 month old colt foal  Holme Grove Babylon at foot and now we must make sure this little orphan is OK.  He is a big strong foal and so hopefully he will cope OK.  He has been living in the herd with the other mares and foals so we will leave him with his friends and feed him milk replacer.

We had no idea why she died ....  This is so sad and after the elation of new foals being born this really brings you down to earth with a crash!

We have now had a report back from pm to say she died of a severe colic and the whole small intestine had totally twisted.  We could not have saved her even if we had been with her.

Susan

SBA/12.06.2006

Update 20th June 2006 on Holme Grove Babylon

We are pleased to report that Babylon is thriving.  He is out in the field during the day with the mare and foal herd and can play with his friends.  We take him milk feeds in a bucket several times a day which he drinks straight down.  He then comes in at night to the foaling box where we leave a double overnight feed which is always gone in the morning together with foal mix for him to eat.  He is quite relaxed on his own in the stable and is happy to come in so so far so good!  It is a week now since he lost him Mum and so far he has not dropped any condition and appears strong, happy and healthy....  At least he had the first couple of months with his Mum and so I am sure despite his early weaning he will be fine.