Help we are horse-sitting info needed

So our neighbor left for the weekend with the mother horse and asked if we could keep an eye on the foal? Not sure of gender and terminology. So I walk over there with a carrot. No one left me know the fence is electrified.
My upper arm is still numb-that would l correct itself??

Anyhow I do not see any food in the trough though they said we wouldn't have to woory about food. We can shut the power to the fence and check the water trough. Its supposed to reach 88F tomorrow. Should we be concerned with the temps.

Any other advice- this horse is lonely for its mama and does respond well to its name though!

Any clue how old the foal is?

Well I can almost look in its eyes and I'm 5' 8"! Perhaps 4-6 months old??

Does he have shade/shelter at all? Is he on pasture (lots of green grass)? Make sure the water is clean and full especially if it is going to be hot.

Yes to shade. The shelter is in a different spot in the yard. They left a hose out-can I use to spray tomorrow afternoon when its supposedto hot mid 80's?

If there is plenty of grass in the field and some shade then the foal will be fine, though it will appreciate some carrot or apple. Cut it up in pieces though - do not feed a whole fruit or vegetable as foals can choke easily. But it must have fresh water at least daily - mine get fresh twice a day.

Horses are social animals and need company - and of course a foal is missing its mum. The more you can be there the better, even if you are just sitting in the field reading.

For the fence, I sympathise - I have had that happen. It can be painful but it will right itself after a few hours - 24 at the most, depending on the strength of the current.

I am sure you are doing your best in difficult circumstances. But I do question the judgement of anyone who leaves any animal in the care of someone who knows nothing about them and makes it worse by not giving any instructions.

No worries. The little one will be fine so long as it has water and grass.

Make sure you turn the fence back on to make sure he/she does not get out.

When someone asks you to keep an eye on thie horse all they really want/need is make sure they are were they should be and safe/not hurt.

Did they leave your thier cell phone numbers and vet number?

In our neighborhood we have folders that we keep updated with all of our work/home/cell numbers as well as all pets listed (some of us even put pictures with ours) with names of vets with numbers. It has been very helpful when we find a horse in our pond having a swim! We were just able to call the owner and they came and got her LOL.

Good luck!

Kim

If there is grain there, don't feed to much as the little one can colic if left to his own devices. Can you post a picture of him? It amazes me how some horseowners take these high-maintanence animals so for granted! Did they say why they took the mom and not him? Depending on his age, both the horses could be beside themselves with anxiety missing each other. Do they have other livestock on the place? A goat perhaps? Goats are good companion animals for horses.

When my colt's previous owner brought him here and left him- he was only 4 months old- way to young to leave his mom. But she left him anyway and as they drove away (mom was in the trailer) he raced the pasture, busted the electric fence (yes it was on) and would have raced down the highway after his Dam but he couldn't because of our wooden fence. Keep a close eye on this youngster- check and see that he has plenty of interaction from you, even if it is just a matter of being in the field with him. Did they leave hay and instructions in the barn? If not- then they are not very responsible horse owners. If the fence is electricfied tape, he can easily get out, but if it is wire that is better. I hope to heaven they are actually paying you for this! If you get into trouble or have other questions- log on and ask the members at www.equi-sense.com Old, tried and true horse owners lurk there. It once was the most popular horse board on net. I would trust any information coming from there regarding horses.