Bring in or leave out.

Faracat said:
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.
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I will contact the stud and see what they say about it all. My problem is they are a hour drive away if anything goes wrong. The closer studs I have heard and seen some distressing things so wouldn't put her there.

Clodagh said:
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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The yo has told me she will put her out for 20 mins 4 times a day in the small school to have a walk around so that's a plus.

If they where put out together the other horse would be in a small paddock in the same field with them until we felt there was not going to be any problems. This gelding has never been rough with other horses. He's at the bottom of the pecking order of the herd and had been beating by other horses we think when he was young as he doesn't like horses getting to close to him. That's why we thought of him for the foal.

I no how mad mud rash can be that's why she was kept in when competing to we could stop it from starting or fix it if it had started. So far she has nothing as she has a massive straw bed that all the mud comes off in and all I have to do is check her legs and give some loving lol.
 
How your mare and the gelding react now will have no bearing on how the mare views the gelding with her foal at foot. Instinct will tell her to protect her foal, she could easily be foal proud.

I have the most placid easy going and aged irish cob mare. An absolute sweetie with people, children and other horses, however with her foal at foot she will not be caught during the first week, she takes her baby off and turns her back to anyone approaching. If a horse gets too close to the fences separating them she will fly at the fence, teeth bared.

As the foal gets older she will relax and allow the foal to mooch about but if the foal tries to interact over the fence she is soon over and pushing the foal away. It is simply motherhood and there is not a horseman on this planet that will be able to tell you what you mare's attitude will be with a foal at foot and turned out with anything other than more mares with foals at foot.

Your gelding maybe ideal as a companion after weaning as long as he is not shod and does not play too rough.
 
AdorableAlice said:
How your mare and the gelding react now will have no bearing on how the mare views the gelding with her foal at foot. Instinct will tell her to protect her foal, she could easily be foal proud.

I have the most placid easy going and aged irish cob mare. An absolute sweetie with people, children and other horses, however with her foal at foot she will not be caught during the first week, she takes her baby off and turns her back to anyone approaching. If a horse gets too close to the fences separating them she will fly at the fence, teeth bared.

As the foal gets older she will relax and allow the foal to mooch about but if the foal tries to interact over the fence she is soon over and pushing the foal away. It is simply motherhood and there is not a horseman on this planet that will be able to tell you what you mare's attitude will be with a foal at foot and turned out with anything other than more mares with foals at foot.

Your gelding maybe ideal as a companion after weaning as long as he is not shod and does not play too rough.
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I no I suppose I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it. I don't have to have her with another horse of I don't want to. There is a field all for her but I can add the gelding if I want to. He will be good for the foal when it's weaned. He's just a big baby in his mind lol. He's not rough as he gets scared easily lol.
 
paullam9 said:
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
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Can you not buy some second hand electric fencing and fence of the really muddy areas so that she only walks on clear grass and you only lead her across the muddy bit when she comes in?
 
If you don't have to put her out with the gelding I don't think there's a problem? My dad kept some mare/foal combos in their own paddocks beside others until the foals were a bit older. I would have thought that in the absence of other mares and foals, it would be ok to keep them on their own? Especially very early on. Maybe I'm wrong. You have plenty of time to plan next winter - you may well have the foal weaned and can always send him/her off to grass livery elsewhere with a bunch of youngsters if needs be.
 
Kacey88 said:
If you don't have to put her out with the gelding I don't think there's a problem? My dad kept some mare/foal combos in their own paddocks beside others until the foals were a bit older. I would have thought that in the absence of other mares and foals, it would be ok to keep them on their own? Especially very early on. Maybe I'm wrong. You have plenty of time to plan next winter - you may well have the foal weaned and can always send him/her off to grass livery elsewhere with a bunch of youngsters if needs be.
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Absolutely. But there will come a point when the mare will want company.....
 
Just to put the cat amongst the pigeons here: My mare foaled in a field with one other mare who has a 2 wk old foal at foot and a yearling colt. She kept herself and foal a distance away for a few days, but nothing major.

After a few weeks the 5 of them went into a field with a number of horses and ponies (mixed herd) with no problems. My friend has bred quite a few horses and ponies over the years, and all have lived in a mixed herd a few weeks after foaling with no issue.

None were shod I should stress.
 
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My mares all foal and then are turned out with the rest of their broodmare herd either later that day if born in the morning, or the next morning if born the previous night. Everyone is always interested in the first foal but the mares are all seasoned broodmares so they know to give the mother and baby space. By the time the last foal arrives, none of them bat an eyelid.

OP the gelding could be the softest creature around and I have no issues with newborns being in with the rest of the mothers herd (so long as they are unshod). Some of my foals have been born in the field with their father in with them and watching them being born. Those mothers were perfectly happy to share their foals with him. I digress, whether the shod gelding will or won't kick the foal is a possibility even if he does it by mistake; the other big problem with foals is that they lie down anywhere, in hay piles, next to feeders etc. and the mothers are generally incredibly careful about not stepping on their foals, however other horses sometimes aren't as careful. A newborn foal being stood on is a large vet bill. No shoes around foals is an absolute must.
 
Kacey88 said:
If you don't have to put her out with the gelding I don't think there's a problem? My dad kept some mare/foal combos in their own paddocks beside others until the foals were a bit older. I would have thought that in the absence of other mares and foals, it would be ok to keep them on their own? Especially very early on. Maybe I'm wrong. You have plenty of time to plan next winter - you may well have the foal weaned and can always send him/her off to grass livery elsewhere with a bunch of youngsters if needs be.
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Yeah if I feel that they are becoming lonely and in need of some other horses/foals I'll send it off and put her back with the herd

whisp&willow said:
Just to put the cat amongst the pigeons here: My mare foaled in a field with one other mare who has a 2 wk old foal at foot and a yearling colt. She kept herself and foal a distance away for a few days, but nothing major.

After a few weeks the 5 of them went into a field with a number of horses and ponies (mixed herd) with no problems. My friend has bred quite a few horses and ponies over the years, and all have lived in a mixed herd a few weeks after foaling with no issue.

None were shod I should stress.
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The yard I worked on did that once they had all foaled they went out together. Didn't matter if it was mare gelding colts and fillies. They said it was good for them and they all grew up well and knew about the pecking order.

Spring Feather said:
My mares all foal and then are turned out with the rest of their broodmare herd either later that day if born in the morning, or the next morning if born the previous night. Everyone is always interested in the first foal but the mares are all seasoned broodmares so they know to give the mother and baby space. By the time the last foal arrives, none of them bat an eyelid.

OP the gelding could be the softest creature around and I have no issues with newborns being in with the rest of the mothers herd (so long as they are unshod). Some of my foals have been born in the field with their father in with them and watching them being born. Those mothers were perfectly happy to share their foals with him. I digress, whether the shod gelding will or won't kick the foal is a possibility even if he does it by mistake; the other big problem with foals is that they lie down anywhere, in hay piles, next to feeders etc. and the mothers are generally incredibly careful about not stepping on their foals, however other horses sometimes aren't as careful. A newborn foal being stood on is a large vet bill. No shoes around foals is an absolute must.
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Yeah I agree with you. Thats the reason for the fenced off bit for him. They can see and touch each other but her can't stand on the foal unless it gets under the fence. The fence should be low enough to stop him rolling under it but high enough that the gelding can't jump it. I just want them to be happy and the foal to have a good upbringing and the mare is not a fun horse. She's never been one for grooming and playing with other horses that's why we thought eventually move gelding out of paddock and in with them so the foal will be well socialized.

amymay said:
Absolutely. But there will come a point when the mare will want company.....
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The only good thing is she can touch and see the other horses over the fence in the field she's going to be in.
 
Do the other horses on the yard that she will come into contact with leave the yard to compete at any point?

Just be careful if they do that you vaccinate your mare at 5,7 and 9 months against EHV. It would heartbreaking to lose the foal. One of the reasons I think it's best to keep broodmares away from other horses is the risk of another horse bring something nasty in. Where my mares have foaled they require a clear strangles test, proof of EHV vaccination and a clear EVA test for anything coming onto the yard. This is almost impossible to enforce with horses that leave for competition.

I would suggest thinking about at least foaling down at a stud where they know what they are doing and can be onhand 24/7 as the foaling gets closer and afterwards during the important first few weeks.

I wouldn't keep a gelding with a broodmare as they can get incredibly aggressive (the mares) when they have a new foal at foot.

Good luck though - it's exciting times. :)
 
Bedlam said:
Do the other horses on the yard that she will come into contact with leave the yard to compete at any point?

Just be careful if they do that you vaccinate your mare at 5,7 and 9 months against EHV. It would heartbreaking to lose the foal. One of the reasons I think it's best to keep broodmares away from other horses is the risk of another horse bring something nasty in. Where my mares have foaled they require a clear strangles test, proof of EHV vaccination and a clear EVA test for anything coming onto the yard. This is almost impossible to enforce with horses that leave for competition.

I would suggest thinking about at least foaling down at a stud where they know what they are doing and can be onhand 24/7 as the foaling gets closer and afterwards during the important first few weeks.

I wouldn't keep a gelding with a broodmare as they can get incredibly aggressive (the mares) when they have a new foal at foot.

Good luck though - it's exciting times. :)
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Hi.

Yes there is people that compete at the yard but they tend to keep to themselves when at shows.

I took the stud and vets advice and got her ehv jag done last month so she's clear from that. Thank god. She also used to have the strangles jag but had to stop it when she went away to get aid but vet said she'll still be coverd for a while which is good.

I have thought about putting her back to the stud for foaling but I'm not sure I can afford two liveries and save money for when the foal comes. But I'll keep that option open.

I suppose it'll just be a wait and see game until I know how she is going to be with the foal and then with other horses.

Thanks it sure is. Can't wait for the foal to arrive xx
 
Please please please vaccinate for EHV regardless if others "keep to themselves at shows"

Whilst you say you cant afford two liveries, I think you should speak to the YO. Most YO I know will do a holding livery of £50 per month. And broodmare livery living out in a herd is around £130-£150 a month down here in the south

Have you ever foaled a mare before? Is your mare a maiden?
 
dianchi said:
Please please please vaccinate for EHV regardless if others "keep to themselves at shows"

Whilst you say you cant afford two liveries, I think you should speak to the YO. Most YO I know will do a holding livery of £50 per month. And broodmare livery living out in a herd is around £130-£150 a month down here in the south

Have you ever foaled a mare before? Is your mare a maiden?
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She is vaccinated. She is due her second one is January.

I spoke to her when I sent the mare to the stud. She was there for 6 weeks and I had to pay my normal livery. The only good this was they where out at grass so it was cheaper but she will still be in winter livery when she foals so deffo can't afford it.

I have worked on a " stud ". My boss at the time had stallions and mares that he covered. I helped with everything fr covering to night watches. Although this is my first own foal. She was ment to be a maiden but from the size of her I think she knows what she's doing or at least what's happening lol xx
 
So pleased that you are vaccinating!

I would say that 6 weeks rather than till foal is born is a bit different and would be a conversation I would want to try at least with YO

To me it doesn't sound the ideal set up for mare and foal, and I personally wouldn't be happy.

When is your mare due?
 
dianchi said:
So pleased that you are vaccinating!

I would say that 6 weeks rather than till foal is born is a bit different and would be a conversation I would want to try at least with YO

To me it doesn't sound the ideal set up for mare and foal, and I personally wouldn't be happy.

When is your mare due?
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Yeah me to considering there is a confirmed case in my area.

I can try and talk to yo but I think I'll loose my space if I don't pay.

It's not ideal but I have to work with what I've got.

She's due May 4th. Do you have any due x
 
A bit off the original post but I always vaccinate for EHV. Also all my foals go onto grass which has not been grazed by other foals for two years. The field is rested for at least 6 months and I don't put them with older horses till at least 6 months. Their turnout is cleaned every day without fail.

This is for parasite control.

As far as turnout is concerned, we have had wet weather and poached gateways but everyone goes out every day. You can clean off mud each morning and apply protective cream - I would certainly give your mare winter turnout.
 
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