Students helped with the birth and care of the foals ‘Poppy and ‘Hunter’
The mares and foals were a huge hit during Maryland Day, garnering crowds of onlookers including Dr. Darryl Pines (center), President of the University of Maryland.
Image Credit: Edwin Remsberg
April was a busy month on the Campus Farm. Preparation for UMD’s Maryland Day celebration was in full swing with students training to become show persons for the livestock show. In the horse barn there was excitement too, with two foals born in the first half of the month.
UMD partnered with private owners Greenspring Mares, LLC and Wasabi Ventures, LLC to provide foaling services for their broodmares as part of ANSC 237 Equine Reproduction. The 23 students in the class fed and cared for the two broodmares, I'm Engaged and Hurryupandcomeback, then assisted with the birth of their foals, and cared for the broodmares and foals until they left the farm to return to their owners. The broodmares will be rebred for next year. This is the second year these owners have partnered with the Campus Farm and ANSC 237 to provide this amazing learning opportunity for our students.
On April 6, I’m Engaged was the first to give birth and had everyone concerned because she was in the first stage of labor for nearly 14 hours and needed assistance from Dr. Burk and ANSC 237 students with the birth. At first the filly, Poppy, was weak and struggling to breath, but the students had been trained in clearing nasal passages of fluid and administering oxygen, and the filly recovered quickly. She was standing and nursing within an hour of birth thanks to the students’ quick actions.
The second foal came a week later. The broodmare Hurryupandcomeback was a bit overdue but had a textbook birth of a colt, the students named Hunter. The vet was initially concerned about the possibility of a respiratory infection, which gave the students experience in administering the needed medications to get him healthy.
The mares and foals were a huge hit during Maryland Day, garnering crowds of onlookers including Dr. Darryl Pines, President of the University of Maryland.
Filly:
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Barn name: Poppy
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Dam: I'm Engaged
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Sire: Modernist
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Owned by Greenspring Mares, LLC
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Born on Thursday, April 6, 2023
Colt:
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Barn Name: Hunter
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Dam: Hurryupandcomeback
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Sire: Code of Honor
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Owned by Wasabi Ventures, LLC and Greenspring Mares, LLC
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Born on Thursday, April 13, 2023
