Calmer for youngster in a stressful situation yes or no?

[CLFS]

Hey all!
Wasn't sure where to put this but hopefully the right place!

The hunt is going to meet in our filly's field. She's a 3/4tb 6months old and still with her mum. The plan is she will be shut in one side of the field shelter with her mum (they often hang out in there together and happily shut in, with their companion next door.
Her mum and companion have seen this sketch before and just watch with interest.

I wasn't sure whether or not to maybe give her a calmer of some description (mag ox or similar) just to take the edge off? Can you even give them to 6mth foals?

My reasoning is that she gets really lit up when the horses nextdoor (who she can't see very well) are having a hoolie and likes to show off her gymnastic prowess and gets in a small stew.
So I figure that she will either be a) dumbstruck and just stand there with her eyes on stalks or b) get herself in a stew! when her field fills up with hounds and horses and spin round the shelter or god forbid try and come over the door. (never tried as yet but life has been pretty dull bar a bit of hedge cutting)

Just want her first experience to be positive as appreciate it will be a lot for her baby brain. Shes our first and I just want to do anything I can to make life experiences positive. I will be hanging around with them from early doors.

Any advice gratefully received

 

[ihatework]

I’m fainting at the thought of having a hunt meet in a foals field!

That aside, mag ox isn’t really going to do anything. If you are going to sedate use vet prescribed.

 

[TheMule]

I’m fainting at the thought of having a hunt meet in a foals field!

Me too!!! Sounds like a recipe for complete disaster to me

 

[maya2008]

Do you have a friend with a spare stable/paddock who would let you take mum and foal there for the day? That's what I would do.

 

[tda]

What will the mum do?

 

[CLFS]

Do you have a friend with a spare stable/paddock who would let you take mum and foal there for the day? That's what I would do.

Unfortunately not and no suitable transport. So a bit stuck

 

[Amymay Again]

Unfortunately not and no suitable transport. So a bit stuck

I'd be telling the hunt 'no'. It could (and probably will) end in total disaster.

 

[CLFS]

What will the mum do?

Fortunately she knows what its all about and is so laid back she's almost horizontal. And the 'aunty' who will be nextdoor is a wise old girl who is unflappable (as long as you dont take her friends away ) )

 

[tda]

Fortunately she knows what its all about and is so laid back she's almost horizontal. And the 'aunty' who will be nextdoor is a wise old girl who is unflappable (as long as you dont take her friends away ) )

So do you think she will get upset even though the other two will just look on?
I'd probably feel happier with them out and able to move around

 

[Arzada]

The hunt is going to meet in our filly's field.

Any advice gratefully received

Ask the hunt to meet somewhere else and avoid your field altogether. Do they actually know that there is a foal in that field?

 

[CLFS]

So do you think she will get upset even though the other two will just look on?
I'd probably feel happier with them out and able to move around

I'm probably feeling needlessly anxious and she will be fine and just watch with her mum and aunty and the hunt and field will stay the opposite side of the 5 acres. Theres a gated fenced area around the field shelter but its enough room for a run up if she took a notion (shes pretty fearless) and the small paddock gives too much scope for shenanigans. Maybe i need the tranquliser

 

[CLFS]

Ask the hunt to meet somewhere else and avoid your field altogether. Do they actually know that there is a foal in that field?

It's a lawn meet unfortunately. They've been made aware she'll be stabled and will keep away.

 

[tda]

I'm probably feeling needlessly anxious and she will be fine and just watch with her mum and aunty and the hunt and field will stay the opposite side of the 5 acres. Theres a gated fenced area around the field shelter but its enough room for a run up if she took a notion (shes pretty fearless) and the small paddock gives too much scope for shenanigans. Maybe i need the tranquliser

I see why your worried, but if her companions are not reacting you will just have to trust the process (and watch thru your hands from a distance )
Positive vibes...let us know how it all goes

 

[CLFS]

I see why your worried, but if her companions are not reacting you will just have to trust the process (and watch thru your hands from a distance )
Positive vibes...let us know how it all goes

Thank you I've booked the day off work so I can be there all day to watch her. I'll update next week!

 

[TPO]

How are a hunt allowed to meet in a field that's in use and has livestock in it?

The potential for something to go wrong would be very high doing a quantative risk assessment.

I really feel for you and I hope it goes smoothly.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I would tell them to do it elsewhere.

One of my horses hates the hunt he gets himself in a state I have to stable him or he would injure himself.

I do have the radio on very loud to try and drown out the noise I find it helps him as its the hounds and horn that mainly trigger him.

 

[TheMule]

i just think it's a crazy risk- so much could go wrong in the blink of an eye under that kind of stress. If you absolutely must take the risk then I would speak to the vet about taking the edge off with some actual sedation, a calmer won’t do a thing.

 

[paddi22]

I wouldn't risk it. I'd move her for the day if is has to go ahead. so much risk. have seen older horses damage themselves with hunt going past. would never risk it with a foal, you could do lifelong damage.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I think that there’s a fair chance of a fatal injury to the foal if not moved out elsewhere with mum for the day. I’ve known of a fair few older horses who have died after getting panicked and injured due to the close proximity of a hunt.

I presume that the hunt is not there at the OPs invitation?

 

[TheMule]

I think that there’s a fair chance of a fatal injury to the foal if not moved out elsewhere with mum for the day. I’ve known of a fair few older horses who have died after getting panicked and injured due to the close proximity of a hunt.

I presume that the hunt is not there at the OPs invitation?

Yep…. My OH is a vet and he had to PTS a 6month old that came over the stable door last week. It just isn’t worth the risk to introduce something so stressful when it's an entirely preventable situation.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

How are a hunt allowed to meet in a field that's in use and has livestock in it?

The potential for something to go wrong would be very high doing a quantative risk assessment.

I really feel for you and I hope it goes smoothly.

Neither of the local drag hunts here permit any riding in an enclosed area where there is livestock. Their insurance doesn't cover it, equally its the height of bad manners.
It's also against trail hunting regs too.

 

[paddi22]

a friends foal ran straight into a fence and broke its neck due to a gunshot in field beside it. foals are such fragile things. you don't know what long term damage can be done due to a simple slip or fall. why risk it? you are putting the foal in a very high stress situation.

 

[Arzada]

It's a lawn meet unfortunately. They've been made aware she'll be stabled and will keep away.

Do you/your family own the field?

 

[SEL]

I wouldn't bet on a foal not doing anything just because the mares don't. We practically had to throw ourselves on a poor livery's BOGOF baby a few years back when the hunt came into neighbouring fields without warning. It was only because it's mum was so chilled we were able to tussle him into the yard - 5 month old colts are strong!

I'd speak to your vet. I'm sure a bit of sedative would be safer.

 

[TPO]

@CLFS how did the meet go?

I'm still in shock (& angry) that a group of horse riders think its acceptable to be in a 5 acre field with 2 loose horses and a foal.

 

[CLFS]

@CLFS how did the meet go?

I'm still in shock (& angry) that a group of horse riders think its acceptable to be in a 5 acre field with 2 loose horses and a foal.

Hi Its on weds. They will be in their field shelter (its a solid full front 2 stable structure) and the meet will be the other side of the 5 acres. They will have full sight but nobody will be in 'close' proximity.

 

[CLFS]

Do you/your family own the field?

No its privately owned.

 

[CLFS]

Update: she was an absolute star! Friend recommended some calming cookies which i got so cant say how much that had to do with it but she didn't bat an eyelid just watched quietly. Banged the door once but that was it more interested in hay and the milk bar. They had a quick hoolie when i turned them back out afterwards in the small paddock instigated by the old pony but thats pretty standard practice for them. Thank you everyone for the concern and advice x

 

[Amymay Again]

I'm really pleased everything was ok, after all our doom and gloom

 

[CLFS]

I'm really pleased everything was ok, after all our doom and gloom

Thank you to be fair it could have gone either of 2 ways, such a relief!