Foals and Older Horses

C

Cobland

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Well as many of you know i am at a yard where it is more or less just me and im loving it. However YO has started dating a girl and shes more or less moved in, not that im saying its a bad thing, its just that i feel shes being lazy with her horses.

Shes got 2 tb x horses, she insists that they go out in the field with my two mares and foals, now theses horses are chasing the mares and foals and causing them distress. When i get at her about it she said they are just 'playing'. However yesterday i had to bring Mia in again as she was wheezing and coughing alot after being chased yet again.

I hate seeing my horses being stressed out and feel pissed off that its me that has to bring my horses inside. Not just that ive been finding my stuff going missing, my first aid kit has a load of stuff missing. About 3 weeks ago she tried to remove a shoe herself but ended up badly bruising the foot, causing an infection and absess, the horse has not been exercised for the above reason but today was taken to a show. I was there and noticed that the poor horse was in great distress and was refusing to put weight on the foot (any farrier she has got out has refused to put a shoe on that foot).

Im soooo annoyed, my mares are so depressed about being inside. Ive said to YO who said he will divide the field in 2 but its going to be a week before this can happen. Mia is only 12.3hh and Mae is 14hh, her horses are 16.2hh and 17hh, she said she never seen her horses act that way towards mine and i must be making it all up.

As yous know ive never had a foal before, is there an age that you can put them out with older horses? My other lot are out too and they leave them alone, it just seems to be her lot. They have chased my other lot too but Gypsy gave one of them a good kick and they have avoided her. Today Mae got one of them right on the chest. Dont get me wrong im not happy about the behaviour but when i asked her if she was going to pay vet bills if one of mine got injured, she laughed and said ive to prove it was her horse done it. Hmmm wonder how she would feel if the shoe was on the other foot.

Sorry long rant over
 
I don't really know much about foals and other horses generally but I would say this situation is quite dangerous for your foals if they are being chased by much bigger horses. I think if I were you I would borrow or buy an electric fence system and split the field straight away until the YO fences it properly. If this girl has taken a lame horse to a show hopefully someone there will have noticed it and said something to her as I appreciate you are in a difficult situation. Hope you manage to resolve the field bit soon, anad perhaps keep an eye out for another yard, or hope the YOs relationship with this girl doesn't last!
 
Her behaviour is unacceptable, to take a horse out which is so lame for a start tells me what kind of person she is.
Mares and foals are generally kept away from other horses in a livery yard situation, but if they are kept on your own property and many studs do mix groups. It entirely depends on the 'social structure' within the group. It sounds as if the horses are winding up your little mares which will cause them to protect their by running round, which has a knock on effect.
I would get some electric fence and seperate the field yourself.
 
I can understand your upset - it's a little insensitive of the girl; however one thing I would say is that when you are living with the horses you do see another side of them and that is often different from the impression the horse owner gets with their spending an hour or two a day with their horses, so she could very well be telling the truth that the horses get on most of the time.

Our little foal started being re-integrated with her mothers herd at 2 days old. I first put the 2 mares back in and then when the foal was a couple of weeks old I then put her dad and his 3 gelding friends in with her. Never had any trouble at all - however this is an established herd and not like I was introducing new horses.

I'm sure your foals and mares will be fine but I think it is best for all concerned if the field is split.
 
Bought a trunk today that i can lock, there is no one i know that has electric fencing.

I dont see the relationship lasting, hes 38 and shes 23, his daughter hates her and they are always fighting. His daughter isnt much younger than her.

My husband shouted at me the day i brought Mia in, im 11 weeks pregnant and i ran into the field in tears to save her, her horses have shoes on and were kicking out at her and Jacada. When i went in they charged at me too. Mia is still coughing badly, when i brought her in from the field she was covered in white foam and she just wanted to lie down in the stable.

Tried to reason with her today, said that the mares are better outside, the grass is good for the milk, but she is refusing to bring hers in. I love the yard, apart from her, she walks around like queen of the castle, im very good friends with YO and he said its just sex (sorry no one needs to know that lol)
 
I would certainly split the fields asap! we have a foal and an established herd at home but as the mare has been seperated for a while there are arguements now to reinstate who is boss! introducing new horses needs to be done gradually as the mare does not want to be stressed with protecting her foal and fighting for a social postion at the same time-this all seems irresponsible to me and i would get electric tape and do it yourself until YO puts up a proper fence. Ensure though that your white tape is thick and visible and has two rows so that foals will not run under or try to escape as can be very dangerous.
 
I spend alot of time at the yard as im good friends with his daughter. Mae and Mia are good friends with YOs daughters horse, however if her horse goes near them, the other 2 horses just start on them. They arent just trotting after them, its a total mad gallop. Teeth is out and once they get alongside the feet start.
 
i would buy my own fence or move off the yard if there was no other turnout.i would be having a meltdown by now with panic, worrying one may have ben kicked while i was at work!
 
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