Companion for pregnant mare - mare or gelding?

[Victoria25]

Hi guys
Unfortunately after a horrific accident (cant talk about it as too raw at the moment) my 6 month pregnant mare is now left without her gelding companion. We have other horses on the yard but I wanted two of my own so that I never had to reply on anyonelse as helpful and wonderful that they are.
My calm and gentle gelding was her best friend (in the end after a very rocky start) and he was going to be there on nights in with her over winter, stabled with her come spring around her due date but now he’s sadly gone. He was also going to be helping us at weaning stage – we would have slowly introduced him to the foal when it was a good few months old into a separate paddock with my mare.
So although I feel like Im replacing my boy … the cold hard fact is that I need something to have bonded with her over winter so they’re a lot closer by next year and I didn’t want to start getting another during December/Jan when weather was horrible.
My question is … would you only use a gelding or would you consider a mare if it was you? Ive been told by a number of people they could try to steal the foal as their own?? x

 

[First Time Mum]

Depends what you want to do with the companion horse. If it just going to live out its days how about a broodmare that has reached the end of her breeding days as it will then 'speak foal' or if you are hoping to do something with it how about a youngster. My old lead rein pony who had a couple of foals previously went out with my broodmare and definately did not try to steal it however the broodmare when the foal was born tried to attack the gelding in the field next door everytime it looked at the foal when she was born.

 

[Victoria25]

I will be getting another ex racer as that’s what my old boy was. We had been reschooling him and was doing extremely well so I want to do the same again – give another one the same chance of a new and exciting life. I do have a few options – mainly geldings but just been told of a mare but wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. x

 

[Victoria25]

My old lead rein pony who had a couple of foals previously went out with my broodmare and definately did not try to steal it however the broodmare when the foal was born tried to attack the gelding in the field next door everytime it looked at the foal when she was born.

ahhh .. thats cute - maybe Im being a little OTT?

 

[First Time Mum]

Having seen my mares reaction I would probably go for a mare as a companion. Good luck for whetever you choose and hope you have as much enjoyment out of your baby as i have with mine

 

[Truly]

I probably would go for a young gelding just out of racing.

1. Because it would still be a baby itself and your mare would treat it as baby and wouldn't see it as a threat to her foal.

2. It would have been in a herd within the last couple of years and be used to mares and foals.

3. If your mare has a colt you won't have to worry about the colt covering the companion gelding when it's weaned.

I have had an older barren broodmare try to steal my mares foal once, which was terrifying!

 

[mynutmeg]

Everything I've read and been told by experienced stud people is that geldings are not always suitable companions and a group pf mares is the best option, having said that my mare is turned out with 3 geldings

I think personality is the most important thing - you don't want something young and mental thats going to run around and be silly

 

[jaynec]

I would go for a companion older mare. I had a similar situation this year, losing my old gelding when my mare had just had her foal weaned. I have loaned a pony mare, who's been a great companion. No shoes, food or aggro from her when I take the others two out or the field! & a nice pony too, easy to do in every way!

 

[TarrSteps]

I probably would go for a young gelding just out of racing.

1. Because it would still be a baby itself and your mare would treat it as baby and wouldn't see it as a threat to her foal.

2. It would have been in a herd within the last couple of years and be used to mares and foals.

3. If your mare has a colt you won't have to worry about the colt covering the companion gelding when it's weaned.

I have had an older barren broodmare try to steal my mares foal once, which was terrifying!

Just to be clear though, a three year old gelding would not be seen as a foal by another horse. And a race horse would not have been out with mares and foals since it was one itself, it would have been out with colts only from weaning and then likely only in a group until it went into training.

Be aware that a colt recently off the track may also be only recently gelded, although as your mare is in foal she should be able to sort that easily unless he is a real pain.

I will agree though, many racehorses speak better "horse" than horses raised as "only foals" with only an older horse or two as company. I really do believe even that first year or so makes a difference.

I would try to get something that's already in a group and whomever has it can tell you if it's an easy going sort. Introduce them carefully and, if you get one from a rescue, make sure they know of your plans for the horse and that you will have to return the horse if they don't get on.

I have seen older broodmares steal a foal, although it was a maiden in a large group. It is a risk though.

 

[Truly]

Just to be clear though, a three year old gelding would not be seen as a foal by another horse. And a race horse would not have been out with mares and foals since it was one itself, it would have been out with colts only from weaning and then likely only in a group until it went into training.


Be aware that a colt recently off the track may also be only recently gelded, although as your mare is in foal she should be able to sort that easily unless he is a real pain.

I will agree though, many racehorses speak better "horse" than horses raised as "only foals" with only an older horse or two as company. I really do believe even that first year or so makes a difference.

I would try to get something that's already in a group and whomever has it can tell you if it's an easy going sort. Introduce them carefully and, if you get one from a rescue, make sure they know of your plans for the horse and that you will have to return the horse if they don't get on.

I have seen older broodmares steal a foal, although it was a maiden in a large group. It is a risk though.

I didn't mean it would be seen as a foal but it would be seen as youngster.

The rehoming of racehorses charities over here will have turned them out with others before they are rehomed somewhere suitable so that they are already let down and accustomed to 'normal' lives

Some may have been gelded later but most that aren't potential superstars will have been gelded as 2yos...and none will have covered mares.

I can honestly say that all the ex-racehorses that I have had on livery with me, have settled straight into herd life....any problems with socialising with others in my experience has come from Welsh cobs gelded late or imported warmbloods (no offense intended to fans of those breeds lol)...just MHO from seeing it first hand over 40 years.

OP says would like to have ex-racehorse like her boy before..and I think would be great to give an ex-racehorse a good home and a future job...

PS My best babysitter is my TB gelding...he even babysat my orphan foal this year

OP Elizabeth from Equi Vivre Racehorse Retraing is lovely and can probably find you a sweet gelding x http://www.facebook.com/pages/Equi-Vivre-Racehorse-Retraining/160181384018145

 

[elijahasgal]

When I foal, I usually have my 17yo gelding as a babysitter, as he is fab with the foals. This year I had my 4yo mare, who also has that gentleness.
I did have in the field a 2yo filly as well, but soon had to move her, as she was a nightmare in the mix (she got taken and thrown out with older horses, and has been "humbled" and taught a lot of manners, and has gon from being a bit bolshy to a lot more respectful now)

It depends on the mares relationship, and how foal proud she is, and how respectful the other horse is of her and her foal. BUT it usually settles after a few weeks when she is not so protective, when the foal is stronger, and wanting to explore more.

One mare I have retains her placenta if anything else is near, as she does not feel safe to roll and let it go. That was a very expensive lesson!

 

[Victoria25]

Thank you all so much for your replies ... sorry not been back on here recently ...

WELL ... we are picking our new girl up this Friday, straight off the track -(last raced Oct) and seems a really sweet little thing. My mare has a small cut on her leg at the moment so keeping her in until it's 100% healed - why is is even in the poorly paddock there is hardly any mud yet she comes in after an hour covered head to toe in it especially where the cut is????

She's going have complete down time over winter - just lots of bonding time and perhaps a bit of lunging at weekends to keep her going - will just play it by ear and see how she goes

Hopefully she'll take to her better than my friends shetland poor shetland gets a bitten backside on a daily basis

 

[Deli]

I would suggest a mare. Have had 2 geldings now that have been nothing but a pain - jumping on mares backs when they were cut at least a year before