Colt turned out with in season mares

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Greymare2009

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I've seen a few previous posts about this but still can't make my mind up...So wanted to see what people's thoughts were on this situation.

My YO has agreed to look after a friends 9 month old colt and announced it's going in with the other ponies, my mare and another slightly older one (another liveries).

It cannot be kept separately as it goes under/through electric fencing.
However both our mares have come into season.
It's coming tomorrow!

I've voiced my concerns but she says it will be fine. IF it tries to mount/pester them the owner will have it gelded early (was going to geld in autumn anyway).

I doubt it'll reach my mare as she's 15hh & it's only 10/11hhs but concerned there will be wars if it is persistent. The other mare is just under 14hh so think she's more at risk of getting covered.

I was made to feel like I was being unreasonable when I made it clear I wasn't happy about the idea but there's no where else to put my mare so my only alternative is to keep her in (or ask if can turnout overnight). Am I worrying unnecessarily?!
 
I'd not be happy, I think it should be cut now, but even then it will act up and fire live ammo for a few weeks.
It sounds like a complete PIA to be honest and it would be better out with its own kind.
 
I wouldn't be happy with that, hope your YO is willing to foot the bills for any injuries or worse!
 
I think your YO is an idiot, it may not be able to cover them, either due to it being too small or not yet fertile but it will pester them, it may get injured itself if they tell it off, if they are willing and enjoy his attention there are ways and means to assist him, it is all very well saying if he is a pest he will be gelded but that is not an instant solution and in the meantime the damage may be done.

Does this YO have no experience or do they not care if the poor colt gets badly hurt, your mare is probably safe but that is not the point if you are running a livery yard there is a duty of care to the equines you take in, accidents happen frequently enough but this is an accident waiting to happen and would probably invalidate any insurance, quite rightly in my view.
If she wants to take it in she needs to have somewhere suitable to keep him, a group of young geldings ideally, with proper fencing so he is safe if his hormones start to kick in and away from livery mares so he is not tempted constantly.
 
YO sounds crazy, I would move my horse asap if you can. How come they can't make a paddock for the colt? The risk of covering is not acceptable (mares do lay down/lower their croup to be covered by a smaller stallion) but it's just a baby as well so putting him straight away in an unknown mixed herd is a bit though really.
 
What a nutter of a YO!

Colts 'can' be perfectly capable from before weaning, from 4 or 5 months onwards.
I have seen big mares getting right down on the ground to get covered - dont think it 'might' not happen.

Hope YO see's sense before doing this, as there is also the H&S side that may well affect their public liability if people get hurt when taking their horses in and out the field.

The colt won't know better, poor little sod :(
 
I would explain all the points raised on here to the YO- you can say you've asked other experienced horse owners advice (you don't have to say it's off a forum) and the've all said its a bad idea for all concerned. I'd particularly mention LIABILITY; a word that can really make people think these days - maybe you could ask for something in writing in case of injury/consequences - that may be enough to put the YO off the idea?
 
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I would never want any of my horses to be turned out with a colt, I think its a crazy idea to expect liveries to just accept this as normal, Its not onlly putting your horses at risk but the colt could also get seriously hurt.
 
Absolute recipe for disaster - what is the YO thinking? Are your horses shod? Is the colt used to going in with grown up horses? Is there a herd leader that is going to take exception to a young colt plonked in the herd?
I cannot think why they would geld a colt AFTER it is covering mares - did they miss the sex education lesson at school?
 
Your YO sounds like she's a special kind of stupid to even consider this IMHO. This is a situation which will almost certainly end in tears.
 
Where there is a will ie there is a way.......!! A friend of mine turned out a 10 month old filly with a 9 month old colt. It covered her and she was in foal, they had to wash her out. I wouldn't do what your YO is proposing in a month of Sundays. Dreadfully bad practice.
 
ridiculous.

either the colt is going to get kicked badly by the mares if they arent interested or are the dominant ones, or the mares are going to get bitten to merry hell and possible torn badly (if he tries to mount them) if HE is the dominant one.

stupid stupid stupid.
 
I would imagine it won't be much fun for you trying to get your mares from the field if you wanted to ride/groom either. Nuts!
 
Thanks for all your thoughts. Confirmed I was not being unreasonably concerned! When he arrived he was very coltish with one of the older mares who was in season and he definitely showed interest, so YO thankfully realised he couldn't go out with the girls.
However, he's going now as it's proven too much hassle looking after something that can't go out with others or be led past them safely. Above mentioned in season mare tried to kick him yesterday, accidentally catching leg of person leading him! Thankfully no serious injury but think it's made YO realise dangers of having him about the place.
 
Thank god for that OP, if that were my YO I'd seriously be reconsidering their ability to manage/care for the horses for even remotely thinking that was a good idea!!
 
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