While Hermione and Jo got to know each other, I talked with Chris and Tabitha about where we were headed–with a day-old filly who needed to eat every other hour, we’d have to come to a decision pretty quickly. Bottle-feeding would be time-prohibitive, since we all work long hours and our schedules wouldn’t be conducive to the foal’s feeding schedule.

While Exotic Blue is heavily drugged and restrained, Dr. Woodrow Friend helps to point Jo’s Magic towards one of the few meals she’d get from her dam.

Tabitha made inquiries about obtaining a nurse mare while Chris looked into local organizations that might be set up to provide care to an orphan foal. As luck would have it, my research was easier: I just called my boss. Kim Brown, editor of The Horse, has a lifetime of experience with horse health issues, and I knew she would be able to suggest ideas that I wouldn’t find elsewhere