Has anyone ever had a foal on livery?

Yup - I'm at livery and currently have a 9 week old foal. The most important thing is to discuss it with the yard owner before hand and make sure they are happy. My yard owners breed themselves so we have the correct set up which has definately made it easier
 
I own a yard where people keep their broodmares and foals :) I coordinate all the breeding for all the breeders here (including myself) and I foal down the mares for them. Some come to watch the foalings, others don't. Most are too busy to be involved in the breeding aspect.

One of the most important things I'd suggest to you is this; make sure you keep the mare on a yard where the YO actually knows about breeding/foaling down and is familiar with all the trials and tribulations that come along with it.
 
Thanks very much.

How have you found it, are the other livery's good about it i.e. not trying to help?

Currently on the hunt for a new yard, and mare potentially going to stud in August if not next year, so important we find somewhere perfect!
 
Megibo said:
Thanks very much.

How have you found it, are the other livery's good about it i.e. not trying to help?

Currently on the hunt for a new yard, and mare potentially going to stud in August if not next year, so important we find somewhere perfect!
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Yeh everyone on my yard has been great - there's about 15 livery horses here and around 10 owners. Other liveries have been interested but haven't tried to interfer at all. I think it helps that I'm happy for people to come say hello to Milo and he enjoys the attention.
 
Megibo said:
Currently on the hunt for a new yard, and mare potentially going to stud in August if not next year, so important we find somewhere perfect!
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August? Is that usual in England to breed that late in the season? I finished breeding for the year weeks ago and had any mares not taken I'd still be finished breeding for the year. I know my country is far hotter than your country but even so, July could still be pretty unpleasant for a foal in England, no?
 
At my yard, the YO was great, she's an ex stud groom, and saved me a fortune in vets fees. The other liveries all had their own ideas as to how to 'help' and were persuaded otherwise by me! :) our yard don't charge livery for a foal at foot until it's weaned, others may be different, but I checked everything with the YO before putting her in foal.
 
Thanks all.

And Spring Feather- I thought August a bit late too, however stallion owner assured me there are plenty more mares coming in over August as people are trying to avoid the horrendous cold and wet 'springs' we have been having. I'm not super rushed though, and going down to the stud soon, so will have a proper chat about it! This is the first and last foal I am ever planning to breed so want everything done right. :o
 
What age are you planning to wean your foal Megibo? If at 6 months then you're going to be weaning in the depths of winter. Will that cause any problems? I realise our weather is quite different from yours so maybe you don't have the same issues as we have with weather.
 
I did it, and I'll be honest it was a bit of a nightmare - I was never fully comfortable with the set-up though, so it was my own fault for not trusting my instincts. If you believe it will be ok then I'm sure it will be. :)
 
I wouldn't cover in August. You have to think of when the weather turns wet, you will have a 3 or 4 month old foal with maybe limited turn out, weaning in the winter or leaving the foal on the mare until Spring.
I'd wait until Spring and cover her April or May, that way the foal will have 6 months in the field
 
Ah okay, foolishly had not thought of that!

I would like to leave foal on mum until 6 months, could leave longer as long as it was not pulling her down. I think that is the phrase? She's a native though so probably not a huge chance of that.

I'm not in a rush to get her pregnant and a foal on the ground, was just thinking more the fact she's 14 now and if I left her until next Spring she would be 15.
 
Yes, as SF said, think carefully about what the weather and stabling/grazing situation is likely to be when due for weaning.
Because I breed horses rather than ponies I have to be careful that they can be weaned around the same time I have to bring them in at night for the winter. I don't want it bad enough that the mares can't still be turned away for six weeks to dry up and also my boxes would not be big enough to take them both for any length of time; all things to consider.
 
I agree SF!
Thanks again everyone. Looked at a new livery yard today with ridiculously big stables (I could fit my mare in there three times!) And asked about having a foal etc and they breed themselves so said they can't see it being an issue. I will be sending her off to stud to foal though, assuming all goes well and she takes! how old are they when they can travel home?
 
Megibo said:
I agree SF!
Thanks again everyone. Looked at a new livery yard today with ridiculously big stables (I could fit my mare in there three times!) And asked about having a foal etc and they breed themselves so said they can't see it being an issue. I will be sending her off to stud to foal though, assuming all goes well and she takes! how old are they when they can travel home?
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Sounds perfect. Is there no way the livery yard would undertake to foal out your mare for you if they are experienced breeders? It would make life a lot easier for all concerned, especially the mare, if they are the diligent sort, are all set up with cctv etc. and of course if they agreed to it. If I take in outside mares to foal down then they need to be here at least one month prior to foaling and although the foals can leave whenever the owner wishes post birth, it's sensible to leave the foal at their birth place for at least 3 weeks afterwards. Foals under 2 weeks old are quite vulnerable and you wouldn't want the little thing to fall ill after all this planning.
 
Spring Feather said:
Sounds perfect. Is there no way the livery yard would undertake to foal out your mare for you if they are experienced breeders? It would make life a lot easier for all concerned, especially the mare, if they are the diligent sort, are all set up with cctv etc. and of course if they agreed to it. If I take in outside mares to foal down then they need to be here at least one month prior to foaling and although the foals can leave whenever the owner wishes post birth, it's sensible to leave the foal at their birth place for at least 3 weeks afterwards. Foals under 2 weeks old are quite vulnerable and you wouldn't want the little thing to fall ill after all this planning.
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I think this is their first year foaling mares down, and they have all been born (I think they've had 5) successfully. But based on the fact they're not to my knowledge very experienced I'll send her back to stud. She'll be nearly 16 after all so I want her in the hands of experienced staff. No offence to them of course! Yes I know she needs to be there for a montb beforehand so settle and get the antibodies needed for baby etc so prepared for that. Also in no great rush to get foal home as soon after birth so happy to leave at stud a few weeks for it to 'grow up' a little bit so to speak! My only worry would be that the stud is 2 hours from me so obviously I won't be able to handle the foal for the first couple weeks.

And all this is assuming everything goes well! Being optimistic though of course.
 
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