foal playmates?

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wizzer

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My young man who was born late july is doing really well and has now got to the bucking, rearing generally wanting someone to play with stage. Mum is really laid back and isn't interested in exerting herself anymore than absolutely essential!!! But unfortunately she isn't good with other horses so they're kept seperate at the moment which means out of sight as well as she even tries to attack other mares/geldings over the fence. She is fine with other youngsters though so basically i was just wondering how important you think it is for foals to interact with others at this stage meaning should i be looking to try and put another weaned youngster with them?
 
Up until a month ago I would have said it is not that important, however three weeks ago I made the decision to send my mare and her 5 months old foal (it had just been the two of them in a field before) to stud for weaning and it is the best thing I have ever done. My foal, Troy, has matured so much since being there and it is an absolute joy watching him playing with the other colts he is now with.

Hannah has weaned him herself as she will not let him suckle any more and loses her patience with him very quickly (they cannot be in a stable together for long periods because she is horrible to him).

I am bringing Hannah back next week, and leaving Troy there with his new friends where he will be out all day and in at night... As I have said, I am so pleased with the decision I have made because he has turned into a real pleasure to be with. He has always been excellent to handle, but quite yappy. He never mouthed me once when I went to see him (they were in drying off before rugs were put on) and he was such a relaxed and happy foal.

I hope that helps a little bit...
 
I would say it was very important for them, even if it is just other horses, especially leading up to weaning. The yearling had to make do with 2 mares last yr. This year he is providing the company, I have to say he is too laid back though & I would prefer it if he booted Giz sometimes.
 
i would say important too, as we had a wb colt foal on his own for the first year and weaning was more stressful for him and he was generally a bit to humanised (by me!!), so at a year old the oppertunity came up to turn him out with a 2yr old tb gelding and it was the best thing we've done for him. he learnt to play with another horse and like a horse, and that if he bit the other one he'd get bitten back etc!!!!!
he's now a very polite relaxed two and a half year old who is COMING HOME TOMORROW!!!!!! yay!!!! as both of them are going to start work. his 4 month stay at the farm next door turned into 15 months!! here they are a couple of weeks ago....they've both grown so much, the tb (chestnut) was so much bigger than our wb (black) when they first went out together.
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I sooo wish i could find a playmate for my 12 week old filly!. I decided to introduce her to the herd 2 weeks ago-gradually, but they are all older horses, so are not interested in foal games! and mum just wants to eat and chill out. Ive heard that foals need foal company, but if you are at a yard with no other youngstock, compromises have to be made. I think its important not to segregate mum and baby for too long, even in a herd of older horses, the foal is learning herd behaviour and ettiquette, and mum will protect her baby. If your mare is showing aggresion towards the other horses, maybe introduce them slowly to the others, by grazing them in hand by the herd, gradually moving closer over a course of a few days until the mare sees that the other horses are no threat to the foal. The herd will hopefully get the message that mum and foal need their space after the initial squeals and threats from mum. Good luck.
 
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