Bronwyn Watts’ ColdSpring Mares help orphan foals

by Victoria Howard

Our industry has been blessed to have supporters and organizations who give our four-legged athletes a second chance in life after their racing career is over, or if the horse never raced and is in need of a loving, forever home.

Bronwyn Watts, who I previously featured in 2022, runs such a place, called ColdSpring Mares Inc.

This incredible organization started in 2018, operating as a for-profit LLC. It quickly grew and the mission expanded so they converted to a 501c3 non-profit in January 2025 to better serve the equine community, and allow for donations, sponsorships, and long-term sustainability.

I asked Watts to tell our readers all about ColdSpring Mares.

“I saw an opportunity to make a massive, meaningful impact in the equine industry,” Watts said. “Orphaned foals are a crisis situation, and experienced mares are an under-recognized solution.

“My goal was to professionalize, standardize, and ethically elevate nurse-mare work so that both the foal and the mare are protected and respected.

“We maintain approximately 50 plus nurse mares annually. Roughly, 10 per cent consists of nurse mares who remain with us or in approved companion homes.”

How do you financially support all the horses?

“Each mare is leased to a client, which helps offset some of her care. That said, the lease fee only covers about 25-40 per cent of our annual operating expenses. The reality is that caring for this many mares is expensive; from feed and hay to farrier work, veterinary care, staffing and land cost. We make it work through a combination of lease income, donations, and the generosity of people who believe in what we’re doing.”

What breed of horses do you accept in your program?

“Our mamas are primarily standardbreds, thoroughbreds, quarter horses, warmbloods and select draft crosses. What matters most is the mare’s temperament, maternal history, and soundness.”

How much land do the horses have to roam on and where are you located?

“The farm is located just outside Ocala, FL. We currently lease approximately 75 acres and are actively seeking a landowner partnership for the future of our program.”

Can you explain how the program works?

“When a mare dies or rejects her foal, the owner or veterinarian contact us. We evaluate the situation, select an appropriate nurse mare based on temperament and experience and pair the orphaned foal with a proven maternal mare capable of fully sustaining and raising that foal.”

Does a mare ever reject an orphan, and what is the biggest problem you encounter?

“It has happened, and in each circumstance, it was due to an environmental distraction rather than the mare itself. But it has only happened a handful of times over 400 plus pairings across eight years, and our program carries an exceptional reputation for pairing success.

“The biggest problem is timing. Orphaned foals don’t wait, and late-season calls can be particularly challenging. We provide a 24-hour emergency service and understand the urgency of needing a nurse mare.”

The entire process is remarkable and definitely a blessing, but explain how you produce milk from a barren mare?

“Milk production in a barren mare is achieved through a carefully managed, veterinary-guided induction process that safely stimulates lactation.

“Our program is world-renowned for its exceptional success rate, a result of years of research paired with extensive real-world, in-the-field experience.

“What sets our program apart is not simply inducing milk, but doing so in a way that produces a mare capable of fully sustaining, bonding with, and nurturing an orphaned foal. Our protocol has been continuously refined through hands-on application, and while it is proprietary, every step is designed with the mares physical and emotional well-being as the top priority.”

Of course, I am biased, but since “Baby” is a standardbred, and most of our readers are in harness racing, could you tell us a little about what Baby’s life is like there?

“Baby is a hoot! She acts more like a gentle, but playful, colt. She has a strong personality and loves attention. She is one of a handful of lovely standardbreds in our program.

“Baby is one of our first trotters and is a beautiful mover out in the field. She’s a big, stout mare and as easy as they come to feed. Her goofy antics include opening her mouth wide for a syringe with medication, electrolytes or dewormer; she absolutely loves it.

“Her first orphan was a mule colt and in 2025 she raised a thoroughbred foal. She adapts quickly and forms genuine bonds with her foals.”

How can people get in touch with you if they want to donate?

“There are many ways to get involved, whether hands-on or behind the scenes. We always welcome volunteers, especially those who enjoy helping on the farm or engaging with our community through social media.

“Supporters can also sponsor a mare, donate much-needed supplies through our Amazon wish list, or host a fundraiser using our ready-to-go fundraising tool kit. We are actively seeking breed association partnerships, along with feed sponsorships — especially hay — and truck or equipment sponsorships.

“Most importantly, we are looking to partner with a landowner who can provide a new home for our program.”

If you would like to reach Watts or ColdSpring Mares, you can email them at c[email protected], call 540-588-3453, or visit their website here.

Note: I enjoy writing about all the females involved in harness racing, but this week’s story is extra special to me.

I’ve been involved in the sport for 50 years and every time I had to find a home for one of my “kids,” I worried myself sick as to whether he/she would be well cared for, because sadly I did not have the land nor means to keep them all.

On March 27, 2015, our broodmare Blown In The Wind gave birth to my first foal owned with my partner M T Pockets Stables.

“It was an exceptionally frigid cold, snowy day in Paris, KY, when I received a phone call saying we were the parents of a big, beautiful filly. Due to the extreme weather condition, the first thing I could think of was “Babyitscoldoutside.” Thus, the filly was named.

Since day one, “Baby” was quite a character. She could be so annoying for she wanted to be loved and the center of attraction.

Well, as hard as we tried, it was obvious right from the beginning that Baby didn’t want to be a racehorse, so after two years she became a mom.

During her career as a broodmare, Baby gave birth to two beautiful colts — who both made it to the races — before she aborted a third colt, a very big boy who ripped Baby’s insides.

Unfortunately, the colt died at birth and the veterinarian suggested we no longer breed Baby.

Again, I was beside myself as to what to do since my partner didn’t want another broodmare.

A friend suggested I contact Watts at ColdSpring Mares. I did and made the arrangements to ship Baby there. I knew Baby was born to be a mom and she loved her job and wanted to be a mother again, and by the grace of God — and Watts — she is.

While living at ColdSpring Mares she has been a proud surrogate mother twice: first to an adorable black mule foal and then to a thoroughbred foal.

Thank you, Bronwyn, for giving my Baby a wonderful life and a chance to be a mommy again.