Help! Advice needed on foaling...

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lucywainwright

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Hi sorry not posted for a while and now picking your brains again!

I have 3 broodmares - One is 5 days over due and the other 2 are due 14th & 16th May.
This is our first time foaling and we tried to do things right; got the foaling box ready well in advance with a little turn out paddock within sight of the other 2 and tried to move her into it about a week and a half ago once she started bagging up - but she wasnt having it. She got her knickers in such a twist that we put them all back together and decided to try something else.
We decided to split the field they are currently in and put her in one half and the other 2 in the next bit but now the weather is so awful and one of the others looks like she might come early - I dont know what to do?!?
They are either WBxTB or pure TB in foal to a TB stallion and I'm worried that if they foal at night in this weather they will be poorly or that there could be some fighting over foals if they are not separated...
They normally live out all year (well rugged up) but obviously no rugs at the moment and my TB will be cold tonight. I have read that you shouldnt change circumstances too close to foaling but if I brought them all in does anyone think this will be ok?? And i only have one foaling box...God it seemed like a good idea at the time
 
No need to split the mares up.

Stable the mare overnight and do hourly checks on her. Either in person, or via CCTV.

Once the mare foals, she'll appreciate being in her own little TO paddock for a few days. She'll soon let you know when she's ready for a little adult company again.
 
If they are content being in the same field, would she not be better staying out with them?

My mare is in a safe field with two other brood mares, one of whom foaled last week. Mine is 336 days now and has been stabled all winter up until three weeks ago and is now out 24/7.

She's much happier being out and albeit the weather has changed slightly its not much colder that it was last week ( up here anyhow)
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My mare is a Irish sports horse, so not the hardiest animal in the world.......but much happier outside.
 
as above, i'd bring in at night too.
fwiw one i bred from was living out and very independent, 2 weeks before she was due i did my evening check at 7pm and she followed me back to the gate (unheard of), i humoured her and brought her in, checked later and she'd started foaling... she wanted to come in.
moving to a stable that she already knows is not a big change imho. if she's bagged up and waxed up/running milk i would keep checking her, definitely. best of luck, hope you get 3 lovely foals.
 
I'm worried about splitting her up from the others because she never took well to being on her own (even when she was eventing) and she wont be able to see them at all in the stable and no friends in at the moment - I think I'm going to have to bring all 3 in but has anyone ever had a problem foaling in a 12x12 stable just in case the other one decides it's her turn?!?
 
The other mares are unlikely to foal early, so if the one that's due now will not stable on her own - yes you're gonna have a load of extra mucking out to do.

I certainly would not want anything foaling outside at this time of year. The weather is simply not warm enough. And quite frankly you've spent all that money getting them in foal - it's not worth the risk imo.
 
This would be the ideal situation but the boss lady (top dog)can be a real bag some times with the others and I'm worried that she might do some thing horrible to a wobbly foal as she hasnt foaled before so she might not understand - or am I just neurotic?!?
 
i'd bring them all in. i'd check in the day too, my first one foaled in broad daylight in a field full of my other horses and my showjumps... oops, there's inexperience for you! i believed everyone who had told me they only foal at night...
 
We foal all ours outside and 'touchwood' have never had a problem in over 11 years. The mares are palled up and live together in two's or three's during the winter.

The only time they foal inside is if the weather is horrific, i'm lucky though as the field they are in is literally 10mtrs away from my friends bedroom window....so they are checked all the time. My mare suffers from seperation anxeity so this way suits us....... however some people do not like them to foal outside.
 
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i'd bring them all in. i'd check in the day too, my first one foaled in broad daylight in a field full of my other horses and my showjumps... oops, there's inexperience for you! i believed everyone who had told me they only foal at night...

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Absolutely agree. Last year mare foaled around 2.00pm on a beautiful warm day. This year no. 1 arrived at around 8.30am....

It's certainly a full time job as they get nearer
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I agree, I'm not going to sleep anyway so I think that decides it all in for a bit!! I'm going to convert the free stable to a bedroom for a month or so that should be easier...

Thanks everyone for the replies and when they arrive I will try to post pics (not v pc literate so dont hold your breath)!
 
Foaling in a 12x12 is not ideal but doable for some mares. my foaling box is 2 12x12 so its 12x24 for a 17h irishxWB shes had 2 in there and been fine.

You will be surprised just how quite your due mare will be once she starts having her foal, everything should just calm and she will be more consurned with having her foal then pinning to the others.

I would not leave them out, my welsh C mare had her foal a week early she foaled in the field and the other broodmare would not stop chasing them around, the poor little mit had been born no more than a few minutes and he had to find his feet pretty quick, getting them out the field was a nightmare and in the end i just had to open the gates and let the mare and foal run up into the yard, closing the gate quick behind her. Mares can be funny girls and get jelous easily, if they are new mums i would definatley bring them in, it better than an accident.
 
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I agree, I'm not going to sleep anyway so I think that decides it all in for a bit!! I'm going to convert the free stable to a bedroom for a month or so that should be easier...

Thanks everyone for the replies and when they arrive I will try to post pics (not v pc literate so dont hold your breath)!

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Good luck. keep us posted.
 
To be honest I'd want the other two in overnight anyway. They are not very far off at all - 20 days either side of due date is not incommon in the slightest, and the nights are still very cold sometimes.

Once the mare has the foal at foot, believe me, she won't care about her mates at first. All they are concerned about is their baby.
 
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