Chloe the Orphan Foal

Chloe came to us when she was just a week old.  She's a
Tennesee Walker/American Saddlebred Cross, born in March 06,
removed from her natural mother shortly after birth.  Chloe is a
nurse mare foal, also called an orphan foal -- a castoff in an industry
that leases lactating mares to expensive new foals, making the leased
mare's own newborn a byproduct.

We arranged with a farm in Casey Creek, Kentucky to have her
transported here for a chance to live her own life and find a home of
her own. That chance came sooner than anyone could have
thought....

Cookie is a mare in Florida that was abused and neglected and tied to
a tree while pregnant for months. She was finally rescued by a
private family in Florida. Just over a week ago she had her foal, but due
to Cookie's great stress during pregancy, the
foal died. Cookie was very depressed and mourning the loss of her
baby.  Her family began looking for a foal for her
and they were sent to Freedom Hill because someone knew we had
two orphan nursemare foals here. After talking
and exchanging many emails we decided to send Chloe to Florida so
she could have a real mommy and Cookie could
be happy again!

We are all so excited for Cookie, Chloe and their human family. They
adopted Chloe and will keep her and train her as
a family riding horse. We heard from the family shortly after Chloe's
arrival, and they had this to say:

"Chloe is here and she's such a doll! She was very tired when she
arrived -- such a long trip for such a little one. She
woke up in a good, playful, mood - she was inquisitive, anxious to see
what was outside of the barn. I brushed her
down with Cookie's brush/comb so she'd get Cookie's smell on her. I
led her to the area in Cookie's paddock where
Cookie had her foal last week and then we waited for Cookie to be
brought to the paddock. Cookie was wonderful -
you could just see a mother's look come over her. They nosed each
other and Chloe ducked to hide -- but then she'd
stick her head around just enough to see what was going on. Chloe was
nervous at first and ran the fence line, but
after about 10 minutes they were standing next to each other looking
nervous and like each was afraid they'd scare the
other one away. After about 10 more minutes, they were running around
playing. Chloe kicked up her heels at Cookie
and had a blast.  I thought she'd fall over from exhaustion but after a few
minutes they calmed down and Chloe
decided it was time for a nap. As she napped, Cookie hovered around
her, just like the good mom we'd hoped she be.
We are so relieved - the look on Cookie's face, her whole demeanor,
was one of exhaustion and relief. She'd been
pacing her paddock since she lost her baby a week ago. Now she's
going to be busy trying to keep up with Chloe -
this is great! Thank you to everyone that helped make this happen."

Note from Freedom Hill : Chloe is still living with her family and is
growing up to be a most beautiful filly ! Her new family has now become
a horse rescue they call Beautys Haven Farm and Equine Rescue. You
can click on the link to learn more about them !

Chloe is also featured in The American Horse Video. This video was
made by John Holland with music by Bubba Blues ( John is a gifted anti
slaughter activist )to help Americans become aware of the horse
slaughter industry.
Chloe growing up ! Isn't she beautiful ?
Chloe
the Orphan Foal