A race is on to save the life of a Fife foal following the death of its mother.
Diana Ewart is appealing for a foster mare for the young horse, which was born on Monday.
Stabled at Balcormo, there are fears that the animal will die without a suitable supply of milk to help build its immune system after its mare passed away following labour.
While Mrs Ewart is already heading to Carlisle to obtain milk from a donor, she said that she remains hopeful that a local animal could help to save the newborn.
“I can be in Carlisle in just over two hours and that might still be the quickest way,” she said.
“We have heard that somebody might be able to help us, but it is certainly worth asking anybody that might be able to help to do so.”
Foals are born without natural protection against infection, requiring the milk of a mare to build their immune system, as well as encouraging growth and healthy development.
However, introducing a foster can be a traumatic experience for both animals, and there are no guarantees that even if a suitable mare can be found that the process will be successful.
Foster mares must be disease-free and be of a suitable temperament that does not risk harming its adopted foal.
In most instances, foster mares only become available after the animal has lost its own offspring.
Anybody who may be able to help can contact Diana Ewart on 07713 314225.
