Foal gets foster mare after losing mum in horrific storm

It has been an emotional 24 hours for breeder Jared Kahlefeldt after losing his mare in a horrific storm that swept across southern New South Wales.

With a three-week-old Vincent colt at foot, the mare Lettuce Go Pippa was in her paddock when a tree fell and landed on her.

“The last two nights we have had torrential rain and big storms coming through,” Kahlefeldt from Wagga Wagga said.

“My mare was out at Yirribee Stud, she foaled there and I was going to put her back into foal.

“She was in a paddock close to the stables and the guys at Yirribee saw the whole event unfold and the tree was uplifted and landed on her . . . just so unfortunate.

“It was a freak accident but thankfully the guys at Yirribee were on the scene straight away and the mare didn’t suffer but unfortunately we lost her.

“She was a good mare on track, she won nearly $100,000 and this was her third foal.”

The foal was taken to the local vet straight after the incident.

“The foal seems to be doing well at the moment, he’s at the vet being closely monitored and fed,” said Kahlefeldt.

And thanks to social media, Kahlefeldt was able to find a foster mare as well.

💙Meet “STORMY”💙
A tree fell last night in the storm and unfortunately his mother could not be saved. A foster mum has thankfully been found, and we have fingers crossed that they take to each other
Thank you to everyone who shared and reached out. It’s been truly unbelievable🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/5syTXF3FFA

— Jared Kahlefeldt (@workoutjared) January 6, 2022

“I don’t use social media a lot but I put out a message that I was looking for a foster mare and the response was unbelievable,” said Kahlefeldt.

“So many people offered help and I was able to get a mare for my foal which was lucky because it’s a tricky time of year to find a mare suitable.

“The mare still had a weanling so they are unsure how much milk she has but it’s worth a crack.

“There are a few things the vet will try with them both.

“The reach from my Facebook and Twitter posts was spread so far that there are other options I can try if this mare doesn’t work out.

“We’ve been a bit unlucky breeding from this family . . . we lost Lettuce Go Pippa’s mum Queen Of Courage last year when giving birth.”

Kahlefeldt is the son of Wagga Wagga horseman Paul Kahlefeldt who has been breeding horses for many years.

This Vincent colt has now been given the name ‘Stormy’.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink