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Huntingdon vet praises National Foaling Bank

Vet Surgeon News : 6 June 2008 

Vet Stuart Thorne from Fellowes Farm Equine Clinic in Abbots Ripton has praised the work of the charity-run National Foaling Bank after it helped save the life of an orphan three day old filly foal.

Stuart had been called to attend a mare, Cushy, owned by Juliet Riley from Raunds, Northants, who had gone into premature labour on 8 May 2008 and whose foal was subsequently stillborn. This was the third foal lost by the mare and the stillbirth had left her in a highly traumatised state.

On advice from Stuart, the owner contacted the National Foaling Bank, which was able to tell them that a foal had been orphaned in nearby Uttoxter just three days before. The foal, Pandora, was brought to the mare by her owner and staff attempted to facilitate a bond between the two by covering the foal with the skin of the natural foal.

Unfortunately the mare was too agitated to accept the foal initially so Stuart (pictured right with Juliet, Cushy and Pandora) sedated her which enabled the foal to start feeding. Once this had happened, the mare accepted the foal and both mother and baby are now doing well.

Stuart said: "These situations are often very difficult and highly emotional for the owners of both the mare and foal. However, thanks to the vital role played by the National Foaling Bank this case has had a very happy outcome. The organisation is a charity and desperately needs support from all involved in the equestrian sector. On this occasion, as on many others, it made the difference between life and death".

Crown Rhodonite, bred by Johanna Vardon at Meretown

Performing at the GP 130 Le Mans, May 2010, ridden beautifully by Séverine Jaulent. Crown Rhodonite was sired by Greeton du Rezidal out of Miss Vardon's mare Crown Diamonte, whose sire was the Lusitano stallion Novilheiro and dam Crown Emerald. All of Miss Vardon's family of 'Crown' horses descend from her first mare Flicka. The National Foaling Bank was founded after Flicka lost a foal and the BBC advertised during a racing broadcast for an orphaned foal for Flicka to foster. The response was overwhelming, revealing a need at that time for an organisation to support breeders.

Ruby milestone for National Foaling Bank

Horse & Hound : 19 June 2005

The founder of the National Foaling Bank, Johanna Vardon MBE, has reached a milestone after spending the past 40 years helping breeders through their foaling disasters and bringing foster mares and orphaned foals together.

Vardon launched the National Foaling bank in 1965 after her own mare lost its foal, prompting a desperate appeal on the BBC. “The response was huge, which made me realise that there was a real need for a co-ordinated adoption service,” she explains. “The telephone hasn’t stopped ringing since.”

By the end of 2004, she had dealt with more than 16,000 cases, ranging from first-time breeders to top studs and veterinary surgeons from around the world.

..........  Blue Chip founder Clare Blaskey, whose company recently presented Vardon with an engraved salver in recognition of her tireless dedication, says: “Johanna is one of the great heroes of the horse world. She works incredibly hard and really goes the extra mile to help. I don’t think people fully appreciate the extent of her work. It is an amazing service and anyone who breeds horses should support this worthwhile cause.”

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Johanna Vardon feeding Minstrel the Zebra, at Meretown Stud, 1979

Minstrel, from Dudley Zoo was one of the more unexpected orphan foals to arrive at the National Foaling Bank, but was successfully adopted by a Foster Mare.

A visit to the National Foaling Bank 

YouTube : 18 April 2010

rachel260260's pictures from time spent at The National Foaling Bank