Bring in or leave out.

paullam9

paullam9

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Hello.

Ok so here's my problem. Rosie has alway been in during the winter as she has alway been competing, plus I didn't want mud rash. So the plan was to do the same this year. She would be in Monday - Thursday and out Friday - Sunday.
Now normally she's fine with this but people at my yard keep saying she should be out because she's pregnant. I'm not to sure as the field she's in is mucky already and has boggy bits in it. I don't want her pulling anything in the dirt but I also don't want to upset her my keeping her in. What do you's think
 
Personally, I'd have her in each night and out each day. Much better for her health and sanity to be kept into a regular daily routine as let's face it, if you leave it in day blocks there'll come a time in winter, there always does, when you think the weather is too bad to turn out on her turn out days. The only time I wouldn't turn out a brood mare is if they have to go over icy ground because of slipping and also, I won't turn out onto frosty ground unless they already have a full belly as if they're hungry and dive into the frozen grass, that's a sure way for colic to start.
 
Right now that what I'm doing. But we where hoping to bring them in in December. Just not sure if it will upset her cause she's fat and pregnant. My biggest problem is the dirty field. I just don't think it's good for her to be up to her knees in mud all day. She not really getting a big feed just now as she put on so much weight in early pregnancy that I don't want her to have problems. 😞 is it bad for a broodmare to be in all day x
 
TBH, yes it is bad for a broodmare to be in all day, they need to be able to mooch around to keep themselves fit (and healthy in their brain too).
If it's only bad by the gateways I wouldn't bother, horses are quite capable of getting dirty and it's not like you have to clean her up each day to look smart; she's pregnat, she's entitled to look a bit tatty. If your fields are that bad that it's wall to wall mud then I'd suggest finding somewhere else for her where she can be turned out 24/7 with company. After all, what are you going to do in spring if you have no grazing now?
 
paullam9 said:
Hello.

Ok so here's my problem. Rosie has alway been in during the winter as she has alway been competing, plus I didn't want mud rash. So the plan was to do the same this year. She would be in Monday - Thursday and out Friday - Sunday.
Now normally she's fine with this but people at my yard keep saying she should be out because she's pregnant. I'm not to sure as the field she's in is mucky already and has boggy bits in it. I don't want her pulling anything in the dirt but I also don't want to upset her my keeping her in. What do you's think
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She is a horse not an ornament, turn her out for goodness sake. A brood mare needs plenty of grass to allow for lactation.
 
Sounds like it might be time to put her somewhere with better facilities. You mention knee deep mud, if that is the case in all of the field I would be worried about a heavily in foal mare getting down to roll and not being able to rise.

Our broodmare is not keen at being stabled whether she is in foal or not. She gets stressy and hot.

She lived out with access to a decent shelter which she used and ultimately foaled in. It was belly deep in straw, out of draughts and had forage and water in it.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Sounds like it might be time to put her somewhere with better facilities. You mention knee deep mud, if that is the case in all of the field I would be worried about a heavily in foal mare getting down to roll and not being able to rise.
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I agree.

Routine is also really important. So in or out, but keep the routine the same.
 
I would echo the others that if the grazing is so bad that the entire field is deep mud, then it is time to find somewhere else. The forthcoming foal will need plenty of turnout as well to stay healthy and well-adjusted, and it is not fair on your mare to be stuck in a stable all day, especially as it sounds like she is not in work.

However, if it is just a bit of mud in the field then make sure she is turned out every day - a bit of dirt won't do her any harm and she needs the exercise!
 
Any horse, pregnant or not but more important when pregnant, should have daily turn out with access to forage - hay if grass is poor. if grass is so poor, it's knee deep mud, the horse should be moved... I would NEVER subject any horse of mine to that...
 
Totally agree with AdorableAlice, if the fields are so bad you feel you can't leave her out then you should think about moving. I have mine out during the day and in a weather proof area attached to her stable at night with loads of hay in different areas to keep her "grazing". It gives you great peace of mind for their fitness and mental health if they can move about as much as possible. I can see why you wouldn't want her to be out in bad fields, but then you should look around for better facilities. I hope it all works out :)
 
applecart14 said:
She is a horse not an ornament, turn her out for goodness sake
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I know she's not an ornament she is a horse but I was asking for good advice.

AdorableAlice said:
Sounds like it might be time to put her somewhere with better facilities. You mention knee deep mud, if that is the case in all of the field.
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It's not all the field just the gate round the edges and half the middle. So if she tries to get to the grass she has to go through the mud.

amymay said:
I agree.

Routine is also really important. So in or out, but keep the routine the same.
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Well this has been her routine for the last two years so at lest that's a start

TGM said:
I would echo the others that if the grazing is so bad that the entire field is deep mud, then it is time to find somewhere else. The forthcoming foal will need plenty of turnout as well to stay healthy and well-adjusted, and it is not fair on your mare to be stuck in a stable all day, especially as it sounds like she is not in work.

However, if it is just a bit of mud in the field then make sure she is turned out every day - a bit of dirt won't do her any harm and she needs the exercise!
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I have looked at other yards they are just unsuitable or won't allow a broodmare on the yards.
I have been lightly lunging her mostly walk and some trot and I am still hacking her as she is my only horse.

The dirt isn't really the issue I have I can deal with mud. It's her having to walk in it all day. But hat said I don't want her kept in if it's going to cause her problems. X
 
You really need to think of your options here OP. The environment you are keeping your horse in (let alone a pregnant mare) sounds less than ideal.

Do you have any studs around where you live?
 
I don't think its fair for any horse to be in all winter, they are not bothered by mud its us that are bothered by it, if the field really is that bad move her to somewhere where she can be out all day on better grazing, most stud yards that breed on a large scale will have most of there mares living out all the time all year round, so I suppose no I wouldnt keep a brood mare in through winter its pointless.
 
Kacey88 said:
Totally agree with AdorableAlice, if the fields are so bad you feel you can't leave her out then you should think about moving. I have mine out during the day and in a weather proof area attached to her stable at night with loads of hay in different areas to keep her "grazing". It gives you great peace of mind for their fitness and mental health if they can move about as much as possible. I can see why you wouldn't want her to be out in bad fields, but then you should look around for better facilities. I hope it all works out :)
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The only problem with this yard is the winter field. The yo told me I can have any stable I want if she gets to big for hers. They are making her a field for when she's due if they are still in the winter field. Told me I can use their wifi and set up cameras so I don't have to stay in the stable lol. It's just this field that I find a problem

amymay said:
You really need to think of your options here OP. The environment you are keeping your horse in (let alone a pregnant mare) sounds less than ideal.

Do you have any studs around where you live?
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The yard is good it's just her winter field. Last year she was in a diff one and it was nice and dry and I would of been happy with her in that all winter but there is new horses in it that look a bit mental.

Yes and no but I wouldn't put my horses there I would rather she was out in the mud all day.

CBFan said:
Any horse, pregnant or not but more important when pregnant, should have daily turn out with access to forage - hay if grass is poor. if grass is so poor, it's knee deep mud, the horse should be moved... I would NEVER subject any horse of mine to that...
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Ok
 
Well that sounds like they are very accommodating. So this field is the only option other than a stable between now and, February? If she were mine I would probably leave her out but mine is a tough breed, never gets mud fever and doesn't run through mud like a hooligan. How bad is it? Maybe you should keep her out in case it gets worse and then you really have to bring her in. And then even in that case you can continue to bring her out for walking and trotting, I'd say most broodmares don't get this! Its not ideal, but its not terrible either. Just don't let her get fat and keep her occupied :)
 
Kacey88 said:
Well that sounds like they are very accommodating. So this field is the only option other than a stable between now and, February? If she were mine I would probably leave her out but mine is a tough breed, never gets mud fever and doesn't run through mud like a hooligan. How bad is it? Maybe you should keep her out in case it gets worse and then you really have to bring her in. And then even in that case you can continue to bring her out for walking and trotting, I'd say most broodmares don't get this! Its not ideal, but its not terrible either. Just don't let her get fat and keep her occupied :)
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They are thats why I don't want to move. Plus it's a 5 mins drive from my house and I could properly walk to it in about 30/40 mins.
It is just the field issue. She's not much or a mover and shaker lol. Plus now she not competing the mud rash isn't a problem. I jut wanted to know what everyone's opinion on keeping her in or putting her out.

I will take into consideration what your saying about keeping her out longer till the weather really turns then try and get her in then.

Thanks you have been really helpful.
 
It's not ideal at all to be keeping a broodmare and subsequently a foal in conditions like this however the yard does seem very accommodating and helpful (which does count for a lot) and you're not prepared to move her to a stud farm then the best you can do under the circumstances is to leave things as they are; out during the day and in at night. I just don't know what you're going to do if the field gets excessively muddy. Broodmares in their last trimester become quite out of balance and if they roll in mud can get stuck upside down. I don't have mud here but I do have shed loads of snow on the ground when my mares are at this stage and every year at least one of the broodmares gets stuck upside down. I'm onsite almost all of the time and I can see my mares from every window in the house (I keep a very close eye on them) so when/if one gets stuck I can right them straight away. Will the YO be there at all times and be able to keep a close watch on your mare?
 
SusieT said:
what are you going to do with the foal-what field is it going to go in including next winter?
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They will be put in a field by them selfs for about a week and then we are going to introduce my friends gelding, he and Rosie are already bffl lol so hoping that will be fine. The field closest to her winter field will be for her and foal to go into everyday during the winter.

Spring Feather said:
It's not ideal at all to be keeping a broodmare and subsequently a foal in conditions like this however the yard does seem very accommodating and helpful (which does count for a lot) and you're not prepared to move her to a stud farm then the best you can do under the circumstances is to leave things as they are; out during the day and in at night. I just don't know what you're going to do if the field gets excessively muddy. Broodmares in their last trimester become quite out of balance and if they roll in mud can get stuck upside down. I don't have mud here but I do have shed loads of snow on the ground when my mares are at this stage and every year at least one of the broodmares gets stuck upside down. I'm onsite almost all of the time and I can see my mares from every window in the house (I keep a very close eye on them) so when/if one gets stuck I can right them straight away. Will the YO be there at all times and be able to keep a close watch on your mare?
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I would maybe think about putting her to the stud I sent her to to get her ai'd. But I just don't know if I could afford it as I would have to pay two livery bills. I could properly talk to the yo about the field and pay a bit more livery to put her in the summer ones. It just means she's on her own all the time. The yo is there most of the time but if Rosie moves field she is out if view of the house.

I will take everyone's advice into consideration and do what's best for Rosie as her mental well being and safety to her and foal are the only things that matter to me. 😄❤️💗
 
I doubt Rosie will find your best friends gelding to be her best friend when she has got a week old foal at foot. You might just find you will have no foal if it gets in the way of the mare trying keep the gelding away.

Have you bred a foal before or been involved with mares and foals.
 
AdorableAlice said:
I doubt Rosie will find your best friends gelding to be her best friend when she has got a week old foal at foot. You might just find you will have no foal if it gets in the way of the mare trying keep the gelding away.

Have you bred a foal before or been involved with mares and foals.
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The plan was to introduce them slowly. Put him in a fenced off paddock and let her have the big field to see what she thinks of them being together. They also share a stable block and the stables are joined they can see each other as the have a cage bit in between the middle wall. I don't want anything to happen to my mare and foal and I especially don't want anything to happen friends horse we will be taken it slow as we like. Rosie has been with mare and foals and youngsters and has never bothered about any change. She has also been a nanny to my friends foal.

This my first time breeding for my self but I have worked on yards that bred there own. The reason for my question was most in foal mares I have worked closely with have always been kept in and I was just curious what full time breeders think about it.
 
paullam9 said:
I would maybe think about putting her to the stud I sent her to to get her ai'd. But I just don't know if I could afford it as I would have to pay two livery bills.
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You will only pay one livery bill until the foal is of a certain age.

As for the gelding - is he shod?
 
amymay said:
You will only pay one livery bill until the foal is of a certain age.

As for the gelding - is he shod?
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If I want to keep my place at the yard I'm at I have to be that livery plus livery at the stud.

He is shod but I have known him for 6 years and have never seen him lift his foot. I know that can all change but it's my only option as rest of yard is shod and they are chunkier horses that run about a lot. So he's the best option as socialization for the foal goes x
 
paullam9 said:
If I want to keep my place at the yard I'm at I have to be that livery plus livery at the stud.
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Fair enough - see your dilema.

He is shod but I have known him for 6 years and have never seen him lift his foot. I know that can all change but it's my only option as rest of yard is shod and they are chunkier horses that run about a lot. So he's the best option as socialization for the foal goes x
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Well you can't use the gelding as a companion. You never, ever, ever put a shod horse out with a foal.

Sorry OP - I think the situation you have your mare in now is totally untenable and you really do need to re-think your plans big time.
 
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So is the field that she and the foal are going to go into next winter a better, drier field? And if so, is there any reason why she can't go into it this winter? And if it is not drier, surely you are going to have the same worry about mud with the mare and foal next winter?
 
amymay said:
Fair enough - see your dilema.



Well you can't use the gelding as a companion. You never, ever, ever put a shod horse out with a foal.

Sorry OP - I think the situation you have your mare in now is totally untenable and you really do need to re-think your plans big time.
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I will have a think about it and see what I can do.

TGM said:
So is the field that she and the foal are going to go into next winter a better, drier field? And if so, is there any reason why she can't go into it this winter? And if it is not drier, surely you are going to have the same worry about mud with the mare and foal next winter?
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The new field is drier but she can't go into it as all summer fields getting cleaned poo picked fences checked and drains redug for the summer so she can't go into that just now. Next year will be fine as she will have her own field
 
amymay said:
Well you can't use the gelding as a companion. You never, ever, ever put a shod horse out with a foal.

Sorry OP - I think the situation you have your mare in now is totally untenable and you really do need to re-think your plans big time.
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I just want to confirm that it is far too big a risk to have shod horses with a foal. I won't even put a shod horse with a yearling.

Also you just don't know for certain that the gelding will be fine with such a young horse. I wouldn't risk it as one kick unfortunately placed could kill the foal.

In your position I would investigate the local stud farms and see if they do broodmare/broodmare and foal grass livery.
 
I wouldn't worry about next winter too much yet - at least until the spring!
My mare was in at night and out during the day when pregnant, as they get bigger their legs can swell overnight and movement helps it to go down.
Wouldn't put the gelding with the foal - I bought a newfie gelding to be a companion for my foal and although he was a 2 year old pony and my foal was a giant 6 month old before they were put together it was still very scarey - the gelding was playing but was just too rough for the foal. Luckily the mum kept order but I was at my wits end for a few weeks.
Also , I'm sure you do realise that mud fever isn't only a problem if they are competing, you can't just leave it if judges aren't going to see it!
 
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