In the field

C

Cobland

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 November 2006
Messages
1,271
Visit site
Ive got a 4 year old cob mare, she is pregnant and has stopped work now to have her foal. She was always stabled without a rug and is now out in the field.

She is out minus a turnout rug, cause shes quite hairy.

Now i have ones saying to me that I would need to put her turnout rug on her.

Im just confused as this is my first horse and at the riding stables we really didnt go over horse care, so im learning as I go along. So im really scared I will do something wrong.

Would she be ok without a rug, or does she need one on?

Oh thats her on my avatar picture
 
She is due in May, its her first foal. To be honest, i wish she wasnt pregnant, but she was when i bought her.

My girl is out during the night too with another horse that is pregnant, however its kept in the field all the time, whereas mine was stabled since I got her last november
 
If she is due very shortly she shouldnt ahve a rug on anyway,
Trust your instincts and if you check her and she is garnd dont worry,
Does she have good shelter in her field?
Whats her condition like is she bveing fed in the field?
Nat
xx
 
Is she holding her weight, does she seem warm enough, is there available shelter from rain, does she seem happy or is she spending all day handing around the gate, does she have company?

If you can be positive about all the above, she is probably fine without a rug, if that is what she is used to. However if her condition is deteriorating or she is obviously shivery then you would need to reassess. Sorry, can't be more specific without seeing her
 
She doesnt hanging around the gate, the field is surrounded by bushes which is the only shetler she has. Any time I see her at the gate is when she sees me coming down with some dinner lol, there isnt a lot of grass in the field, but have to keep her there until the YO gets their field ready.

Shes only been out for a few days, so hard to tell if she is losing condition.

I just worry about her so much, the reason i didnt put the turnout rug on her, is the last time I did, she started sweating up like crazy!

Ive tried asking advise from others at the yard, but they all have finer horses and dont know anything about rugging a cob
 
I think you'll find she will be fine. Ensure that she has either a stud balancer or stud mix (which ever you think is best for your particular horse, although I've gone for balancer as Amy tends to lean towards being fat).

You should also ensure that she is getting qood quality hay / haylage at least at night if you are not able to give it in the day as well.

As she has previously been stabled and rugged, you could also consider putting vaseline down her spine. This will help prevent weather beat occuring.
 
if it were me i'd rug her at night at least, the last stage of prgnancy is the most demanding for the dams body so she will need more resources to keep warm, perhaps get a rain sheet to keep off the wind and rain that might be ok, if she's due in may then chances are the worst weather will be over so she won't need a rug near her due date. other wise talk to a local stud and/or vet that deals with pregnant mares and ask their advice i'm sure they'll be happy to help. Plus you might make useful connections should you need help at the birth etc!!
 
She was only ever rugged in the stable when the temperature was to drop below freezing. I put hay out with her every evening and she gets mare and foal mix aswell. I still take her for a walk in hand as she can be quiet lazy lol.

I will do that with the vaseline, thank you xx
 
Why can't she still be stabled at night if that is what she is used to? I think if you are inexperienced, you are taking on a lot with a pregnant mare - I hope you have someone who is experienced who can help you.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I will do that with the vaseline, thank you xx

[/ QUOTE ]

I did that at the start of winter with Amy - looks an awful mess, but does help the water run off.

Will you have access to a foaling box nearer her due date, or is she expected to go au natural???
 
All the brood mares at our yard are out without rugs and some of them are 7/8 TB. They do have a shelter if they wish to use it but don't seem to bother.
Keep an eye on her condition, continue with supplementing her feed and you should be fine!
How exciting!
 
My mare is in foal and wears a rain sheet to keep the rain off. The weather is so mild at the moment that she doesn't need anything else. My mare is TB type which traditionally don't like the rain. It will be coming off as soon as there is a break in the rain...

If I were you I would leave a rug off unless she shows signs of losing weight. With a native type they really don't need it. Wearing a rug gives more oppertunity for problems, they can get ripped, tangled up slip round etc. Your mare will be more comfortable without one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top