How long to keep In Foal Mares away from Geldings/colts?

[sallyellis]

As per the title really, how long should I be keeping my mare away from colts/geldings? or do you just treat them like normal once you know for sure that they are in foal?

 

[Foxfolly]

Its a bit debatable if this is an old wives tale....

But we chose not to try it out and kept our mares away for the duration, not sure what we're going to do over the winter as ours are back in foal now but our stabling will be a different set up so we might have to have them in ajoining stables!

 

[luckilotti]

my mare who foaled in june was turned out with the stallion all last summer, then went straight back with her old herd, which contained mares and geldings. It seems she took straight away so was actually with the stallion the 1st few months of her pregnancy with no problems.
I am no expert though!
i think a lot depends upon your mare and the ones she would be turned out with.

 

[sallyellis]

Well she was a complete tart before she ran with the stallion but since she has been back hasnt really shown an interest at all...I have now got a yearling Arab colt and they have said hello over the stable door but far from being a tart and squirting at him, she has been quite disinterested and even bit him on his crest quite hard - She is desperate for some company and he needs somebody to put him in his place but I cant make up my mind what to do for the best?

 

[scotsmare]

Can you put them in the same field but with a dividing fence between them and see how they get on?

 

[AndyPandy]

If you are talking about actually keeping them together:-If- you have a mare which will stand to be mounted while pregnant (and/or shows estrus during pregnancy), and a gelding who can still achieve an erection and will mount, or a colt, and the penis breaches the cervix... then this will almost certainly cause an abortion. It is -not- worth the risk.

If you are talking about having them in adjoining paddocks/turn out, then as long as she is past about 45 days, and isn't unduly stressed by them, then it shouldn't be a problem.

Hope that helps - sorry if I've misunderstood what you meant

 

[nikkiportia]

I wouldn't risk grazing them together personally, but thats just my opinion of course. Apart from the risk that AP has stated above, you also have the risk of EHV. Something that your mare should be vaccinated against, but your colt won't be.
We keep in foal mares on the opposite side of the stud to the yearlings for this reason. And steam clean any stables used by yearlings before putting in foal mares in them.
But we are a stud, and have the facilities to do this.

 

[Hamish]

Its a total myth that mares have to be 'kept away from geldings / colts. If they're in foal, they're in foal. If they are going to absorb or abort the will, regardless.

 

[Daisychain]

I turned my mare out straight away with 3 geldings, but none of them are riggy, she is fine and as she is very easy to tell when in season she is looking good so far!

 

[sallyellis]

Problem solved mare has aborted and now has infection....has been turned out on her own since returning from stud but thanks the the farmer next doors rubbish fencing she was invaded by a herd of cows and bullocks over the weekend which stressed her right out....had vet out today - am very stressed and upset.

 

[Hamish]

Oh no, how awful for you and poor mare. Am truly sorry for you. x