Newborn foal's birth went wrong. We have to apply a "squeezing technique" to save her live.

Описание: Often, newborn foals enter this world with little fanfare. But sometimes things go wrong, and when they do, quick action is required. In Valenta's case, as a preemie, her instincts to nurse had not kicked in. She wasn't able to search for her mother's teat, had poor suckling reflexes, and seemed to be wandering around aimlessly.

When this happens, newborn foals are referred to as “dummy” foals. Or neonatal maladjustment syndrome officially. It’s thought that something misfired during the birthing process that didn’t signal to her brain that she was coming out of the womb and so her survival reflexes hadn't been flipped on.

This is life-threatening because newborn foals must nurse in their first few hours to ingest an adequate supply of colostrum to develop their immune system and get some energy. After its first 6 to 12 hours, a foal can no longer absorb the lifesaving antibodies contained in colostrum and without sustenance, can die from weakness.

To help jumpstart her instincts, the vets had to perform what’s called the Madigan Squeeze technique for foals. This means a rope is tied around a foal’s torso in a specific way across the chest and pulled on in a gently squeezing method to simulate coming down the birth canal. This rhythmic squeezing is thought to even out the heart rate and flip a switch in the brain that the foal in entering the real world. The squeeze is applied for about 20min like a real birth experience.

In this video, the Madigan Squeeze is happening while Valenta is lying on her side under the purple saddle pad. You can see the male vet holding the end of the rope. The hope is that she will experience a rebirthing.

Immediately as the light pressure was being applied, she quieted down, fell asleep, and her heart rate slowed to a more even beat. After the squeezing ended, it seemed to help. Valenta got back on her feet and she seemed more alert and with it. She even went to her mama to try to nurse. She was also given dextrose to give her some energy until she was able to nurse.

It was a rough and intense day for her (and all of us), but she was a trooper. She definitely showed us the strength and pluck it takes to be known as a swashbuckling filly! May 4, 2019

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