Are racehorse foals kept with their dams?

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Darraxi

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Hello, sorry if I’ve posted under the wrong topic! This seemed like the one that would have the most knowledge on the subject.

My question is how long are Thoroughbred foals that are bred for racing kept with their dams? Are they put out in pasture and allowed to just be horses, or locked up in stables/separated, possibly so the dam can be used again? I’ve heard that often they are put out to pasture for the first year of their lives then “intensively handled” to prepare for racing at 2, but I’ve never heard where/if the dams fitted into that.

Of course it will vary between breeders and stud farms, but just wondering what the general system is; I have an ex-racehorse foaled in France at ‘Haras du Quesnay’, if that means anything to anyone (it sure doesn’t to me). He was exported to the UK at around 1 and a half then raced at 2. I don’t like how small a time bracket that allowed for letting him just enjoy being a young horse, so doubt it included a whole lot of that. Explains why he can now frequently be seen tearing about the field with the other ex-racers(!)

Any insight to the whole process would be of interest really :)

Thank you,
Darryl
 
As far as I’m aware they’re kept with them in a herd until 6months to wean then separated and put into a youngster herd til the next year. It doesn’t benefit the business to wean too early as it will still be too late to rebreed and would mean much more care needed for the foal.
 
Mares and foals live out 24/7 during there first six months Mares are generally covered on foal heat or first heat after the birth of the foal. Round here broodmares are turned out in large sheltered fields in about October by which time the foals have been weaned and also live out 24/7 Mares are usually sent to foaling yards or brought in at night and supervised during the day about 6 weeks before the next foal is due. Some foals are sold in the November sales and are then turned out until the are about 18 months old with little or no handling when they are brought in handled fattened up and got muscle ready to be backed at about 20 months Some are sold in October as pin hookers so have bought a nice foal run it on a year and try to make a profit on it as a late yearling. It is how some of the racing world make money
 
Depends on a lot of things. Most foals are left on their dams until 6 months or so (mares can be bred back while foals are still suckling). If they are going to the foal or yearling sales they will be brought in and handled and fed up considerably, especially yearlings. If they are flat bred and intended to be raced as two year olds they will go to be broken as long yearlings. If they are jumpers they may be left until three or even later, and will most likely be out in herds as stores.

Haras du Quesnay is a well known stud; you can Google it if you are interested in how they prepare their youngstock.
 
You don't need to wean early to get the mare covered again.
Near my old place mares and foals were living out in herds 24/7 with foals weaned at about 6 months, foals then turned out without mares but often an older gelding with the herd of foals and mares without foals till next ones born.
Foals are handled and produced according to when they are being sold or backed.
I would day that as youngsters most of them have a more natural life than many privately owned youngsters
 
The youngsters at the stud near me have a great start. The mares are worth millions and live out in herds until foaling time. The babies live with mum until they are weaned and then go into fields with other youngsters and babysitters.
 
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