An orphan colt whose mother died shortly after giving birth has a new mom – a mare that had tragically lost her foal – thanks to the generosity of strangers and Washington State University veterinarians playing matchmaker.
Pairing an orphan foal and a nursing mare is a challenging task and one that commonly ends with failure. In this case, the connection was instantaneous.
“The mare had only been without a foal for about 24 hours,” Dr. Lisbeth Matthews, an equine medicine and surgery intern, said. “We walked her into the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and past him. He made a noise, and she went, ‘oh, there’s my foal,’ and started making noises back at him.”
It was a surprise to everyone how quickly the mare, named Shelly but affectionally called Mama by her owners, Roy and Faye Lions, accepted the colt. Equine veterinarian Jenifer Gold, who was helping to care for the foal and to supervise its introduction to the mare, said nursing mares frequently reject orphan foals, and when they don’t, the pairing process often takes days.
“She walked in and started nickering at him like it was her own baby – it was unbelievable,” Gold said. “I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and I have never seen it happen that way.”
The foal, which has been named Laredo, was admitted to the teaching hospital by his owner, Spokane resident Rachel Williams, just days after he was born when he started showing troubling digestive issues. Shortly after the colt arrived in Pullman, Faye Lions placed a call to WSU to see if the equine team was aware of any orphan colts needing a nursing mare.
“Our foal was dead, and nothing was going to bring it back, so we were hoping we could help someone else,” Faye Lions said. “It just so happened there was a foal there.”
A day later, the colt and Shelly were introduced.
“For them to be so willing to basically hand over their animal to a complete stranger after experiencing their own tragedy was pretty phenomenal,” Williams said. “I feel like in this scenario it was the worst of the worst for everybody, but there was a little bit of silver lining to the story.”
Williams is also grateful for the care and treatment she and her foal received at WSU.
“I just can’t even find words to say how great the veterinarians at WSU were,” she said. “They went above and beyond. I am just happy I ended up at WSU. I am so glad we were able to match those two up – it is kind of a miracle.”
Shelly will live with Williams until the colt is ready to be weaned, likely in six months, before she will return to her home in Kamiah, Idaho.
“It will be tough to say goodbye because you just naturally start to bond with animals, and she has kind of been my lifesaver,” Williams said. “It will be bittersweet for sure, but I am sure her owners will be happy to have her back.”
During the spring, the equine team at WSU typically sees at least a handful of orphan foals. Equine medicine specialist Dr. Macarena Sanz said orphan foals can be fed a powdered milk formula designed for horses, but those raised by humans typically develop behavioral issues that can become problematic as the animal matures.
“They turn out to be socially weird, have no understanding of personal space, and they are more difficult to train,” WSU equine veterinarian Macarena Sanz said. “The fact that this orphan foal has a mare is really going to make a difference.”
Sanz strongly encourages owners to immediately call their veterinarian if a foal is orphaned, as early care is critical to the animal’s survival.
Fоund it in my in-lаws drаwеr whеrе thеy hаd buttеr dishеs еtс Whаt’s this?? Fоrk thеrе fоr sсаlе..
HERE ARE SOME OF THE ANSWERS:
it’s a bone for a glass dog. they were bred in the early 19th century; but short life span made it impossible to keep them viable.
A serving knife rest, so your lovely lace tablecloth will not be stained.
Congrats on keeping the comments clean everyone!
Baby dumbbell. No one likеs a weak baby.
It’s a knife rest. These are not only for the carving knife, but one is at each place setting for resting the table knife after it’s used. It is NOT for the butter knife. The butter knife remains across the bread plate.
My grandmother had two. I don’t know about her background, buy she had many instruments that showed she entertained often.. I have a set of 12 salt cellars with tiny crystal spoons to sift the salt from the cellars over individual food. We used them at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
Today none of my children know how to “play” fancy meals.
Sad tradition. If it won’t get washed in a dishwasher, they won’t keep them in their house.
No talking- no experiences other than food from a paper bag.
To lay you knife on after you cut your meat so you don’t mess up your tablecloth
Knife rest. Kind of likе a chopstick rest
Dirty knife rest keeps table cloth clean.
Lol I have one from my mom, never knew what it was for. Now I do! Thanks
Wow!! Thank you for insights!! So cool to have this group!! The knife rests sure are beautiful!!
Have one just likе this. Resting of the carving knife, if you only have one.\
I’ve never seen one, they are beautiful!
Wow! I thought I knew different types of serving utensils, but I didn’t know this one. Thank you for sharing!
We used t have one likе that, my Mom and my Grandma’s. Salt roller maybe?
I have a set of them
It’s to set a knife holder.
A knife rest is a small, often decorative, object used to keep the blade of a knife from touching the surface of a table or countertop when it’s not in use. They come in various shapes and materials, ranging from simple metal designs to more ornate versions made of silver, porcelain, or other materials. They can add a touch of elegance to a dining table while also serving a practical purpose.
Certainly! Knife rests have been a part of dining culture for centuries, originating in the 17th century in France. Back then, they were primarily made of metal or porcelain and were often adorned with intricate designs, reflecting the opulence of the time.
In addition to their decorative function, knife rests serve a practical purpose. Placing a knife directly on the table can not only damage the table surface but also transfer food residue and germs. Knife rests elevate the blade, preventing contact with the table and maintaining hygiene standards during meals.
Over time, knife rests have evolved in design and materials, catering to various tastes and aesthetics. While traditional designs still remain popular, contemporary versions featuring minimalist styles or innovative shapes have also emerged, appealing to modern sensibilities.
In formal dining settings, such as fine restaurants or elegant dinner parties, the use of knife rests adds a sophisticated touch to the table setting. They are often part of a coordinated set of tableware, complementing the overall aesthetic and enhancing the dining experience.
Beyond their practical and decorative aspects, knife rests also hold historical and cultural significance. They evoke a sense of tradition and etiquette, reminding us of bygone eras when elaborate table settings were an essential part of refined dining.
Whether used for everyday meals or special occasions, the humble knife rest continues to play a subtle yet essential role in dining etiquette and table presentation, embodying a fusion of functionality, beauty, and tradition.
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