Help - just bought a foal

The most practical thing really would for the OP to go back to the Vendor, ask them to wean said foal into a stable 48 hours before she goes and picks it up.
By the age of 7 months, it would be pretty independant, eating hard feed/hay etc.
Then go along, back Lorry/Trailer up to stable, drive foal onto vehicle, and head home.
Make sure if its a trailer you remove ALL partitions/breast and breach bars and that it has top doors at the rear that shut and most importantly, a nice floor covering, beit shavings or straw.
When you rerach your destination, before removing foal, try to get a slip on it...it will save you chasing it around the stable for the next few days.
 
blitznbobs said:
Perhaps I'm a cynic but this is a first post on an emotive subject and has had no replies from the OP...???

Genuine???

Blitz
Click to expand...

My thoughts too, that or she's been scared away by the replies!:D

On a serious note, think this foal will not have pleasant memories of travelling and meeting new horses for the first time in a strange environment without mum for reassurance.
Can't help but feel for this little chap for a negative experience to come :(
 
I know the current thinking on weaning is to do it gently in stages which is what I have done with my five home bred foals.

However I have bought two foals who were transported to my yard by their breeders when they were six/seven months old with their mothers. Both breeders gave the mares some sedative when close to our yard. When they got here they unloaded mare and foal, foal had a drink, mare was loaded back into the lorry and driven away and foal was put in a stable with my friend's miniature pony as a companion.

I can honestly say I have noticed no difference in the behaviour of the ones that were weaned slowly versus those that had the sudden separation by the time they were nine months old.
 
Several posts have been removed from this thread for varying reasons.

By all means contribute, but please keep it 'on-topic' and take the OPs request for advice at face-value.

Oh, and any 'personal' issues; keep it off-forum, please. ;)

Thank you.
 
Thanks for this -really helpfull. I need to look at all the options

I know the current thinking on weaning is to do it gently in stages which is what I have done with my five home bred foals.

However I have bought two foals who were transported to my yard by their breeders when they were six/seven months old with their mothers. Both breeders gave the mares some sedative when close to our yard. When they got here they unloaded mare and foal, foal had a drink, mare was loaded back into the lorry and driven away and foal was put in a stable with my friend's miniature pony as a companion.

I can honestly say I have noticed no difference in the behaviour of the ones that were weaned slowly versus those that had the sudden separation by the time they were nine months old.[/QUOTE]
 
Years ago, I collected an unweaned,unhandled foal. Literally popped mum in the trailer, he followed,took mum out and away we went. I can confirm I had far more problems from the fact he was unhandled, than the fact he was effectively weaned enroute home. Ditto lots of straw and no partition if possible . Good luck, and I am sure you will have alot of fun.
 
No idea about weanning or travelling but my old lad has a 10 month old uncut welsh D out with him and they are fine together and now best buddies, Foalie knows his place and not to harras the oap but the oap has taught him this through threats without being violent at all, luckily as the foalie is not mine but my frinds mum's Her horses where not happy with the little one in with them luckily mine is shuch a friendly chap i've never known him take a dislike to anyone
 
OK, so its not ideal but I would just get on with it, maybe the seller only has a field, therefore no means of weaning beforehand.

As has been said, trailer full of straw/shavings, mum in, foaly in, mum out.
Chances are mum is more than ready to get shot of him and hes quite independant of her.

Ref the field buddy, gelding is fine, will teach him the ways of the world!

Good luck with your journey and new baby!
 
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