2017 Foals

My baby arrived this morning. Escape Z x Fleetwater Opposition. He's out of my Intermediate event mare and hopefully he'll be a fun jumper for me in the future. I'm pretty smitten already!

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Charlie, 1 day old, with mum up on the hill. By Brogar Poacher's Moon (Proud Knight xx ex Llayl Tinkerbelle WPB). TB dam (Kyllachy x mare by Danehill). Dam unraced but 3-parts sister to several good winners from a good sprinting family. I still hope to breed a sprinter from her by Hellvelyn!

His legs are still a wee bit bent but they'll straighten up soon. He's quite the cheeky fellow, but I love him to bits!

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What an eye-catching young man, TheMule!! Just lovely. Congratulations! I can't wait to see how all of the 2017 alumni grow up.
 
Horrible end to the year. My last mares foal was stillborn, so couldn't turn and was breach. Vet had it out in seconds after three of us were trying, what wonderful things they can do!

Mare is doing okay just looking very skinny but she's very bright and honestly didn't even wonder where the foal was she's forgotten about it entirely.
 
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that! I'm glad your mare is bright enough and not missing the foal, though. A small blessing at least. Sometimes they just deal with it. So sad. :(
equi said:
Horrible end to the year. My last mares foal was stillborn, so couldn't turn and was breach. Vet had it out in seconds after three of us were trying, what wonderful things they can do!

Mare is doing okay just looking very skinny but she's very bright and honestly didn't even wonder where the foal was she's forgotten about it entirely.
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TheMule said:
My baby arrived this morning. Escape Z x Fleetwater Opposition. He's out of my Intermediate event mare and hopefully he'll be a fun jumper for me in the future. I'm pretty smitten already!

IMG_0681_zps6pzgkoyz.jpg
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Oohhhh he's beautiful Themule. Escape Z is stunning too. Congratulations

Tetrarch 1911 said:
Charlie, 1 day old, with mum up on the hill. By Brogar Poacher's Moon (Proud Knight xx ex Llayl Tinkerbelle WPB). TB dam (Kyllachy x mare by Danehill). Dam unraced but 3-parts sister to several good winners from a good sprinting family. I still hope to breed a sprinter from her by Hellvelyn!

His legs are still a wee bit bent but they'll straighten up soon. He's quite the cheeky fellow, but I love him to bits!

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Ahhh, what a cutie Tertarch . What a gorgeous pony like face ! Congratulations x
 
equi said:
Horrible end to the year. My last mares foal was stillborn, so couldn't turn and was breach. Vet had it out in seconds after three of us were trying, what wonderful things they can do!

Mare is doing okay just looking very skinny but she's very bright and honestly didn't even wonder where the foal was she's forgotten about it entirely.
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So sorry Equi. Glad your mare is ok x
 
Thanks guys. I just feel this constant sadness but the mare is okay and that's all I can hope for. I have two healthy homebreds and next year we might consider looking at stallions again if my nerves can cope.
 
Some lovely foals there everyone and a very nice looking little surprise BOGOF!!!

Equi really sorry to hear that it did not turn out well this time for this mare, but so pleased she is OK in herself and doing well given the issue she had.

For those of you with foals born with leg laxities/contractures hopefully they will quickly resolve. Ours was completely collapsed down onto his fetlocks when born and they have corrected far quicker than I would have believed. ;-)
 
Charlie's legs are already considerably better, but then he's a wee pogo-stick and boings around like a mad thing, so I'm not surprised! He's also a cheeky wee swine and already understands where scratchies come from, so I have a little shadow following me every time I'm around. He's already had a gentle smack on the chest for barging while trying to get my attention. Manners maketh foal, so they say. But he's already good at being touched all around the body, head and forelegs, and running my hands over his back legs isn't going to be far behind. When he's happy and calm with all of the contact, I'll begin with halter training. I like my foals to just drift calmly into it all with no fuss.

What do you guys do for basic handling/training?
 
For basic handling , I tend to stick to my routine. For the first few weeks the mare and foal go out in the day and in at night. This gives me the chance to get the foal head collar trained. Frank was one of the best, done in a day. Then he learnt to be led to as from the field. Once that's done , I work on touching all over . By 3 weeks he has led and been happy for me to touch all his legs and pick up his feet. Now he's out 24/7 . He always comes over for a scratch. We are working on reminding him that nipping isn't nice. He's getting it !

It really helped that we had the above, as when he was poorly it made life so much easier. I had to wash his bum a lot , and give him his medication everyday for 5 days. He actually loved him bum washed and would pick his back legs up as to say ' get that bit too '
 
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Wish my two week old filly was as confident still runs away from us , can just about get a little scratch if you sit on the floor and wait but standing up , no chance. Never had one as timid and edgy as this one. My almost two month colt on the other hand is complete opposite. However, getting far too colty. His poor mum tries to run away from him he's even on two legs on her in the stable, he will be gelded as soon as weather/ flies permit . What's the earliest colts have been done?
 
LOVE that he likes his bum washed!!!

I had a big cob filly foal decades ago who loved her bum being scratched. Even when she grew up into a tank, she would lumber down the field, screech to a halt and then back into you, hopping from one back foot to the other, dying for a scratch. She was the gentlest, kindest soul, but a bit daunting if you weren't used to a very large bum being presented for itchies.

Asha said:
For basic handling , I tend to stick to my routine. For the first few weeks the mare and foal go out in the day and in at night. This gives me the chance to get the foal head collar trained. Frank was one of the best, done in a day. Then he learnt to be led to as from the field. Once that's done , I work on touching all over . By 3 weeks he has led and been happy for me to touch all his legs and pick up his feet. Now he's out 24/7 . He always comes over for a scratch. We are working on reminding him that nipping isn't nice. He's getting it !

It really helped that we had the above, as when he was poorly it made life so much easier. I had to wash his bum a lot , and give him his medication everyday for 5 days. He actually loved him bum washed and would pick his back legs up as to say ' get that bit too '
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We are just sticking to treating our foal as a full grown in terms of what he is and isn't allowed to do. So things that may look cute or playful at this age we don't get to be issues with when he's somewhat bigger and heavier. For example striking when anyone is in your vacinity is not tolerated nor is jumping about or kicking out. Playing is done in your own space at a distance. We can touch him all over and he doesn't bother and he's had a rug on. Will progress to a foalslip next. Up to now he's been handled when necessary using an XL head collar as a harness which they don't mind at that age and the feel of straps under the girth area is not a bad thing to get used to early. Was a helpful approach at first when he was a bit weak behind and wobbly �� Just wondered at what age some of you swap from the slips to head collars or if some of you go straight to them? We are currently intending just using a slip until weaning.

Still trying to catch his greeting on video to show you guys it's fab. Spots us squeals and sets off whilst whickering as he runs. Never had a horse so please to see me it's lovely!
 
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The two late arrivals.

Firstly this lad who's by rhwngddwyafon sambucco out of a Welsh part bred mare. Born 15th June.
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Z

And this little man born July 12th. Section D Ŕavenclaw Riley X Trofaryh Cadi


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Weaning plans... so how is everyone planning this? Especially those with lone mare/foal combos. I know it's a bit early but we are now having to get on waiting lists for wherever we want to go and whats on offer varies, so need to decide what I want for them. Past experience has always been with a group where mares are removed from the group as a whole. Going to be a bit awkward with just the one so would be great to hear ideas/opinions...
 
cyberhorse said:
Weaning plans... so how is everyone planning this? Especially those with lone mare/foal combos. I know it's a bit early but we are now having to get on waiting lists for wherever we want to go and whats on offer varies, so need to decide what I want for them. Past experience has always been with a group where mares are removed from the group as a whole. Going to be a bit awkward with just the one so would be great to hear ideas/opinions...
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I've just the one foal. So I've introduced my old broodmare, who will be his nanny. He goes around the field now with two bouncers ! This weekend we picked up a yearling for company for him. The yearling is very quiet and kind so should be ok, although Franks bouncers haven't let them near each other yet ! His dam has been sold, so she will go to her new owners when the time is right.

He loves his nanny, and spends more time with her than his mum. I even caught him trying to suckle from her , and she encouraged him !
 
My older foal is being weaned next week but the young one will stay on his dam through the winter. They will stay together as a group of 3 and then then mare taken away and babies will go in with a small group of 2 year olds next Spring. I strongly believe they need same-age company.
There are usually people in a similar situation if you have space for another weanling. I'd take another one in on full grass livery for the winter, I'll probably put an ad on loacl facebook groups shortly
 
The two older foals will most likely be weaned together early october time at 6 months. Both, especially the filly are fairly independent so they'll be bought in and the mares put out.
The youngest as he was so late will stay on his dam over winter. With the middle lad I'm not sure yet whether to keep him on his dam over winter to to wean him, it depends if she sells really
 
Beautiful horses belambi. So do you still have the age rule from January over there? Just thinking that your breeding season could theoretically straddle two years could it?

Weaning issue has been resolved. Found and visited a fantastic set up in Cheshire. Big enough to be professional and experienced, small enough to care (5 other foals). They will being going later in the month to start making friends before gradual weaning begins. Further than I would have liked but much better than the closer options I could find. Thanks for the advice everyone.
 
cyberhorse said:
Beautiful horses belambi. So do you still have the age rule from January over there? Just thinking that your breeding season could theoretically straddle two years could it?

Weaning issue has been resolved. Found and visited a fantastic set up in Cheshire. Big enough to be professional and experienced, small enough to care (5 other foals). They will being going later in the month to start making friends before gradual weaning begins. Further than I would have liked but much better than the closer options I could find. Thanks for the advice everyone.
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That's interesting, could you let me know the name of the business, someone I know has just bought a foal, and they need youngstock livery. Thanks
 
Morning All.

Our horses are aged from 1 August . So, the foal born last night will turn one one Aug 1st 2018. This also means though that a horse born on Jan 1 2018 actually turns 1 year old on Aug the first.
 
Hows everyones foals doing? Anyone weaning yet ? My lad is now weaned, and very chilled out in the field with his buddies. Hes starting to get quite furry too. Will try and post an updated photo of him. Hope alls gone well for everyone else
 
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