Nurse mares rent far about $2,500 for a six-month

Nurse mares rent far about $2,500 for a six-month period.-' Care is paid by the person using * the mare; they are to be returned • by the following spring pregnant * i Tile foals are bom at Fancy' Spots, mostly in the spring and" early summer, and raised by-, their birth mothers until the ' dam’s services are required.

Then the process begins , again. The mare goes one way,; the natural foal is left standing^. In steps Stricklin, and other res*, cue operations that dot the UiL Stricklin realizes how important her part is in the chain

“I just remember the special the legacy of Sandy She neve*/ had a foal of her own but sha 1 could love so much. She took"' that foal in without question,”*. Stricklin said. “I want to make sure I do the same.”

Stricklin said she screens adoptive families, making sure.' they are capable of raising a young horse, and ensuring that, they have professional support, in the form of a veterinarian, far- i tier and trainers, if needed. She . said that she can adopt the foals out before they are “weaned” fully from the bucket rations, but • only to an experienced handler.' More typically, she said, young horses are ready to go to a new home after age 6 months.

Adoption fees range from $700 to $1000, depending on the breeding, the color and size."’ “These are nice young horses,” > Stricklin said. “They are a fraction of the price, for instance, of a Connemara cross that you buy on the open market”

Stricklin turns to Vanilla Bean. “Plus, you get to bring up your young horse the way yon want to,” she said, scratching hi* forehead as the rambunctious colt, if just for a moment stands' morionless in reverie. “It is a' real pleasure to play ’mom’ to these guys.”

Reach Sandy’s foal rescue online at www. sandysmemorialfoahescue.com or call Stricklin at 1540) 937-7358.