Day 1: Bringing the nurse mare foals home

Stacy Westfall and Victoria Goss (owner of Last Chance Corral) loading foals

Stacy Westfall and Victoria Goss (owner of Last Chance Corral) loading foals

A quick blog, late at night, to update everyone on the foals…

…as of 3:15 this afternoon we officially loaded up our nurse mare foals and headed home! Both foals came with names that Last Chance Corral had given them. The little draft cross on the left with the white mark on his face is named “No Regrets” and the little appy cross on the right is named “Press On Regardless.” Barn names to come. 

They both loaded like pros and made the trip easily. During the trip is when I really began to appreciate Victoria’s wisdom in sending them in pairs. The trip was about three hours and although they stood quietly it was easy to see that they appreciated having a friend that they knew. 

Trailer ride was no big deal

Trailer ride was no big deal

 

 

 

 

 

They unloaded and immediately appreciated the bucket of milk we had ready. Neither seemed stressed and although I thought they would immediately nap they preferred to investigate everything. 

Our horses were VERY curious about who the new arrivals were but after the lights went out everyone really quieted down. I think I have read the info that Last Chance sent with me more than a dozen times in the last few hours. I was told that the foals usually go to bed around 10pm and the milk I made should last the night. Apparently, the foals have read this material too because as I was hanging the milk buckets they both curled up for the night while I was in the stall with them. Yes, I took full advantage of it by scratching them booth all over until my family started texting me to see if I was ok, lol. 

I might as well admit it…there is NO WAY I’m staying out of the barn till the morning….

Bed time:)

Bed time:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update: Presto and Justice were reunited at Equine Affaire 2018. They had not seen each other for almost a year and a half. How did it go? Click here to read the blog!

66 Comments

  1. Dana Abernathy on June 5, 2016 at 5:48 pm

    Thank you for doing this and highlighting Nurse Mare Foals! Can’t wait to follow their progress….I am a new fan

  2. Baiba Hodges on June 5, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    Thank you for giving these babies a chance. I can’t wait to see how they will progress under your guidance.

  3. Kelly Hayworth on June 5, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    I spent about 10 years working for LCC and Victoria. I now live in SD and miss those babies every year! I’m so pleased to see this blog! Thank you Stacy! This will definitely help bring more awareness to the cause.

    • Stacy Westfall on June 5, 2016 at 1:36 pm

      Wow, thanks for your work! I bet spring would feel a bit empty after that many years of foals…

  4. Laurie Hall on June 5, 2016 at 11:02 am

    Congratulations on your babies! Bless you for taking them in. Can’t wait to hear about their adventures. May I ask, will you be training them to sell or keeping for personal use?

    • Stacy Westfall on June 5, 2016 at 1:41 pm

      I want to take the little Appy to his fullest potential. The second one my husband picked (the little drafty guy) because my appy couldn’t go as a single. We will raise him till weaning age and then see what happens. Maybe he will stay with us or maybe someone else will fall even more in love with him. I know it won’t be an easy decision…I’m already making plans for him if he stays with us! I’ll do a full blog on this later too.

  5. Terrie Diesbourg on June 5, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Bless you for taking two of them. They will be wonderful and very special horses for you I am sure.

  6. Hnoey Shashaah on June 5, 2016 at 10:28 am

    Thank you so much for your kindness. This is a wonderful thing that you are doing for these beautiful babies.

  7. Dana on June 5, 2016 at 10:04 am

    Please! Please! Please post prolifically on your work with these foals! I’ve watched LCC for a couple of years now and what to do when you get them home has been my biggest concern. This would be a great traoIning series!

    • Stacy Westfall on June 5, 2016 at 1:36 pm

      That’s my plan!

  8. Mary Belle Hutchison on June 5, 2016 at 9:53 am

    So cute! Anxious for updates about them as they grow and you start them. Congratulations to them and you!

  9. Linda Bates on June 5, 2016 at 9:43 am

    What an exciting time for you and these babies. They could not have found a better home. I look forward to seeing updates and watching them grow. It’s going to be very hard to stay out of the barn with those cuties. Congratulations!

  10. Nicole on June 5, 2016 at 9:29 am

    Ok I’ll try again. When I saw No Regrets come into the Last Chance Corral via their Facebook page I was so drawn to him because he reminds me of my own draft cross, face markings and all! I cannot tell you how excited I am to see him going home with you!! I can’t wait to follow their progress. Of course, now you have to start a video series like Jax.

  11. Nicole on June 5, 2016 at 9:27 am

    When I saw No Regrets come into the barn, he reminded me of my own draft cross, face markings and all. I cannot tel you how scored I am to see him go home with you!! Definitely watching your progress with these guys!!

  12. Andrea Goodwin on June 5, 2016 at 9:14 am

    Congratulations on your new additions!! They are super adorable. Looking forward to watching them grow up 🙂

  13. Elizabeth Webb on June 5, 2016 at 9:07 am

    So happy for these babies, Thank you for adopting and bringing awareness in the past and in the future to come on this heartbreaking industry.It will be so much fun following these two Foals and you on this journey.I am Thankful for Last Chance, Victoria and all who are able to adopt.Happy trails little foals you have landed well!

  14. deborah on June 5, 2016 at 9:05 am

    They are beautiful kudos to you for adopting them that place looks like they do a very good job. Please keep us posted

  15. Kerry on June 5, 2016 at 8:34 am

    Love the Last Chance! Victoria and her staff does an amazing job. I brought my baby home 8 years ago. Good luck with yours Stacy, I’m sure they will do great

  16. Lori Martin on June 5, 2016 at 8:09 am

    This makes my heart so happy! I wish I could take one of these adorable babies but I live too far away. I am so excited to see the next phases for these babies, they have no idea how lucky they are. Will you adopt me Stacie 😛

  17. Cherie Mehan on June 5, 2016 at 7:58 am

    What a blessing! Chloe and I cant wait to follow this journey with you. I was also interested in what went into the choice to pick these two beauties to become Westfalls…other than pure cutest was of course?!?!?

  18. Ashley on June 5, 2016 at 7:55 am

    How exciting! Look forward to seeing their progress. What does last chance do with the foals once they get older and are weaned? In other words are all the foals adopted out so young?

    • Lori Martin on June 5, 2016 at 8:10 am

      Once the foals are able to bucket feed and their health is good, then they start adopting them out. I love what they do!

    • Stacy Westfall on June 5, 2016 at 1:43 pm

      Almost all are adopted out young so they can save more. They do keep some either for medical reasons or to take on trips to raise awareness.

  19. Patsy24 on June 5, 2016 at 7:44 am

    So wonderful. What a great mix of breeds and what fortunate babies. They both seem quite sure about where they are going in the 1st photo, not uncertain or phased at all. Just lovely. I hope night one was filled with blessed dreams. I am really looking forward to reading their stories along the way. Thanks for sharing.

  20. Jennifer on June 5, 2016 at 7:38 am

    With so many babies to choose from, what stood out about these two? They both look very sweet. I look forward to following their progress through your future blogs.

  21. Tami Scarberry on June 5, 2016 at 7:26 am

    So excited for you, and them!!

  22. Claire on June 5, 2016 at 5:42 am

    Stacy I am SO excited to see the reports on this adventure !! I’ve started my own colt recently thanks to your Jac series and I’m very eager to see how you handle even younger babies. All the best to you and all the troop 🙂

  23. Terri on June 5, 2016 at 4:49 am

    Hi Stacy, Thank goodness you took two of them! I am so glad that you have them, it breaks my heart that they are in that situation, but when good people like you adopt them, there is a light that is guiding them. I am so glad you chose the Appy, I knew you would choose her. Please keep us updated on the babies, would love to watch them grow. So keep the up dates and the pics coming!

  24. Leigh on June 5, 2016 at 1:42 am

    I’m so excited for you all. I’ll be following your progress. I love your training methods and I have an orphan foal too who drinks from a bucket and I’d love to get pointers from what you do with yours. Hugs from an American in France!

  25. Cindy on June 5, 2016 at 1:38 am

    Reggie and Presley or Preston, depending upon sex are good names.

  26. Jody Brittain on June 5, 2016 at 12:42 am

    Very exciting and I look forward to them growing and you working with them!

  27. Lisa White on June 5, 2016 at 12:34 am

    When you call them nurse mare foals, does that mean that the foals were pulled from the mares so they can be sold to raise other foals ? Just a question

    • Stacy Westfall on June 5, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      Yes. Last Chance has the full description on their website, but yes.

  28. Lesia Lowe on June 5, 2016 at 12:32 am

    ohhhh they are adorable!!! …Im just curious as to HOW you narrowed it down to these two…. Love the names…is that a Heart on “No Regrets” face???…. cant wait to see their progress!!!

  29. Lori on June 5, 2016 at 12:24 am

    These babies were rescued by the best. They will have a wonderful home and thank you for taking them. <3

  30. Amy on June 5, 2016 at 12:19 am

    They are so cute.. So glad they did very well on the trip to their new home..

  31. Debbie Schmidt on June 5, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Had a mare reject her foal. After trying to hand milk her (don’t recommend) we started giving him cows milk. I was lucky to have a herd of dairy cows available. Also, had a friend with a mare that died and she tried it after trying the expensive horse milk replacer and all his digestive problems went away. Good luck.

  32. Carol Steuber on June 5, 2016 at 12:14 am

    They are adorable! I imagine many of us will live vicariously through your journey. Wondering how the selection process worked for you and what made these 2 the lucky chosen ones?

  33. Megan on June 5, 2016 at 12:00 am

    Oh my goodness how precious are they!!!!! I’m so excited for you:) I can’t wait to see tons and tons of pictures and updates❤️

  34. Robin on June 5, 2016 at 12:00 am

    In the first picture, the draft cross looks like the white on his face is in the shape of a heart. I am loving them. Good job and good luck!

  35. Leanne Rutley on June 4, 2016 at 11:56 pm

    Congratulations Stacy! You are going to have so much fun with them and they are so lucky to have such an awesome home. Please keep us all posted with many updates! Leanne

  36. Terre Lee on June 4, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    I love that little appy baby. Of course, it is never good to choose a horse (wife, husband, etc.) just based on looks. And the other baby seems to be really intense with his concentration and mindfullness. Would you share why you chose the two that you chose? I know they were paired for you but why those two?

  37. Danyel on June 4, 2016 at 11:41 pm

    Hey, Stacy! I was just curious if the foals are Colts, fillies, or one of each? And are you open to suggestions on the barn names?

    • Stacy Westfall on June 5, 2016 at 1:45 pm

      Both colts…geldings in the future. Always open to suggestions!

      • Danyel on June 5, 2016 at 2:45 pm

        Awesome. Both very handsome boys. I like Reggie for the Draft Cross and Percy (with perseverance in mind) for the Appy.

  38. Emily on June 4, 2016 at 11:33 pm

    I have two nurse mare foals of my own- they are four now actually- and, I look forward to being able to be kept up to date through your blog. 🙂

    • Judy on June 7, 2016 at 4:35 pm

      Did you train them yourself? I have 2 that just turned 2yrs. We do a lot of ground work with them, but need to start training to ride soon. Any suggestions?

  39. Westgate Farm TB, Lipizzaners on June 4, 2016 at 11:32 pm

    Hi Stacy, great to see some foals finding homes. I have been trying to locate the breeders of these foals, for a couple of reasons. I’ve had two recent inquiries about trying to find a nursemare for orphaned foals,from friends/breeders,with no luck, when looking at the few sources listed in nursemare services. With this number of foals,it appears the source is not one that is listed. I do hope these are legitimate, and not for rescue purposes. If you have any contact info for these mares, please contact me.

    • Stacy Westfall on June 5, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      There are many lists out there. Here are a couple of links to check out. http://www.thehorse.com/articles/14595/nurse-mares-for-hire

      http://hhbnys.com/backend/News/news_upload/BREEDING_20NEWS_2edb.nurse-4411.pdf

      Some of the farms don’t want to be found because of the backlash. There wouldn’t be enough profit in this structure unless the foals were a byproduct. I know someone who leased a nurse mare over 10 years ago and paid $2,500 for four months. That would be where the mare produces money for the farm. The money they get from the foals is tiny in comparison. I wish I could put my hands on the other article. The farms actually say in the article that the foals are adopted by ‘a farm in Ohio’ which is Last Chance. I will keep looking…

  40. Michelle Shaffer on June 4, 2016 at 11:31 pm

    Stacy – I am SO excited for you and your beautiful babies! It makes my heart happy to know they will have a wonderful home with you. Enjoy…we love our girl (now 5 years old)…it’s an amazing journey with the little ones. Looking forward to updates!

  41. Maryann on June 4, 2016 at 11:28 pm

    What are your plans for them? Training them from the ground up, using natural horsemanship methods and blogging and videoing the progress would be awesome.
    Will they stay with you long term? Be personal horses? Or likely prospects for another discipline?
    Questions, questions, questions!

    • Stacy Westfall on June 5, 2016 at 1:53 pm

      1) keep healthy 2) enjoy 3) blog 4) the appy long term for sure as my personal horse for another discipline…not sure yet on drafty dude!

  42. michele howard on June 4, 2016 at 11:27 pm

    Can’t wait for updates on how these two little beauties are doing.

  43. Connie on June 4, 2016 at 11:25 pm

    They are so precious. I would love to be able to do a thing like this but I do not have the facility at this time to offer them a safe haven. All I have are large pasture pens.

  44. Ally on June 4, 2016 at 11:24 pm

    How easy/hard is the adoption process? Did you pick them out before you went?
    I can’t wait to see what their barn names will be!
    Congratulations!

    • Stacy Westfall on June 5, 2016 at 1:54 pm

      Pretty easy process submitting paperwork and photos, etc. I picked one before and my husband picked one while we were there.

  45. Sheryl oldfield on June 4, 2016 at 11:23 pm

    What made you choose these two cuties over all the others and what are your plans for them?

    • Stacy Westfall on June 5, 2016 at 1:55 pm

      This question clearly needs to be a whole blog…very popular question!

      • Laura hurr on June 5, 2016 at 3:16 pm

        Yes we want to know. I had picked the little frosted app but would like to know why you picked him I would have called him Redeemed, call name Rede (ready).

  46. Debbie on June 4, 2016 at 11:22 pm

    A huge thank you to you and of course to the wonderful people at Last Chance Corral for caring for and giving these babies a chance to have families of their own. These two foals are very lucky and I look forward to your updates as they grow. 🙂

  47. Donna Smith on June 4, 2016 at 11:22 pm

    I will keep a watch for posts. I am wanting to know how it turns out. I would love to adopt but am terrified of transporting to faraway Nevada. Love to you…..

  48. Randi Ferguson on June 4, 2016 at 11:22 pm

    I’m kinda envious, but since I’m in Canada, I have to live vicariously thru your blog…these are two lucky little foals that is for sure! Just curious as to what made you pick them or did they pick you…:) looking so forward to watching them grow and develop with your guidance…

  49. Mariane on June 4, 2016 at 11:14 pm

    You are such an angel and an inspiration. I hope we will have the privilege to follow you in your journey with those to lucky guys and to «see» them evolve.

  50. Lauren Jacobs on June 4, 2016 at 11:12 pm

    So exciting! I’ve been watching that little App since he’s been there, each time I look i would think that if I were looking, he’d be one of my choices! I’m glad you got him, so now I can watch him grow!!

    • Teri on June 8, 2016 at 7:08 am

      Phew! So glad you picked the little black draft X…I’ve been following him on their site. I almost jumped into it again because of him. You helped me dodge that bullet. Thanks for giving him an awesome home!

Leave a Comment





img_cta-sidebar

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD

WHY IS MY HORSE...?

100% Private - 0% Spam

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

No one taught you the skills you need to work through these things.

Riders often encounter self-doubt, fear, anxiety, frustration, and other challenging emotions at the barn. The emotions coursing through your body can add clarity, or can make your cues indistinguishable for your horse.

Learning these skills and begin communicating clearly with your horse.

Click here to learn more.

FOLLOW STACY

POPULAR POSTS

Get the free printable guide

    Download now. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    © 2019-2024 STACY WESTFALL | WEBSITE BY MAP