Sycamore
Ridge Foaling Services
Syc
amore
Ridge
Farm in Warrenton offers foaling services to clients who cannot, or
prefer not to, have their mares foal at home. Working
under
the
auspices of Old Waterloo Equine Clinic, we welcome a limited number of
mares
(usually between 10 and 20) each season starting in early spring and
ending June 30th.
The main
business of Sycamore Ridge Farm is breeding and raising Connemara
purebreds and half-breds. As a result we have plenty of
experience delivering foals ourselves; but as affiliates of Old
Waterloo, we consider it our main duty to observe and care for the
mares, and to get the vets here on time for the actual delivery.
To assist in this, we not only observe mares closely for bodily
changes, but perform chemical tests at least twice a day on their
developing milk to ascertain rising calcium levels, which can indicate
impending birth. We maintain a colostrum bank for clients whose
mares may not have enough colostrum of sufficient quality to provide
their foals with needed immunity. Because we are small, we can
emphasize individual attention to our client mares regarding feeding
and special needs, and to their owners, who often like to attend the
birth or have a video of the event. Owners are always welcome to
visit their mares at any time while they are in residence—someone is
always on duty.
Highlights
of
the facilities at Sycamore Ridge Farm:
- Well-kept
paddocks, lush pastures, and run-in sheds
- Fire safety
measures
- New electrical
system in 1998 backed up by propane-powered generators with automatic
transfer switches to ensure uninterrupted water and lighting even in
prolonged outages
- Hard-wired heat
alarms
- Each stall has
an exterior and interior door
- 12’ x 12’
stalls (can be expanded to 12’ x 24’ as needed)
- Overhead fans
- Full-spectrum
lights
- Camera
broadcasting audio and video to 3 locations (apartment above
the
barn,
tack room, and main house) for discreet monitoring of the mares
Fees for our services
include a $450 foaling fee, which covers the costs of setting up a
sterilized foaling stall, chemical testing, basic foaling supplies, and
watching the mares 24 hours a day. $30 a day board includes
stall, daily turnout, feed and hay (owner to provide any regular
supplements/medications), and handling for vet and farrier (billed
separately). Because of our limited space, we prefer mares to
arrive fairly close to their expected foaling date and to depart as
soon as the veterinarians deem the foal ready to travel, usually within
a few days of birth. Foals are handled from birth and usually are
wearing halters complacently and beginning to lead by the time they
leave.
Fortunately, emergencies are
rare, and our greatest pleasure is introducing joyful owners to the
healthy, adorable foals they have been awaiting for so many
months. For more information, to visit, or to reserve space,
please contact Marilyn Cheek at 540-341-7104. Sycamore Ridge Farm
is located at 9188 Lees Ridge Road, just off Rte. 29 approximately 5
miles south of Warrenton’s main business area.
