Loading mare and foal

mynutmeg

mynutmeg

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As title - whats the simplest and safest way to load a mare and foal? Mare usually loads well, foal is leading, have lots and lots of people about. We're loading into a two horse trailer with the partition removed.
Any other advice for travelling them?
We're at our first show on Saturday :D:D
 
Two people for the foal and one for the mare. Take both to the ramp, allow the foal to look and then handlers standing by foals shoulders either link hands behind foal's rump or if a big foal use a soft rope or cloth and lift foal on. Let the mare follow by the foals side if she wants.

It is always best to load a foal first as if it dives around the side the mare may well panic, come out and refuse to load again.
 
Exactly as above ,remember to tape over all rough edges in the tailer check the front carefully where manufacturer don't expect horses to be .
 
Have enough people so 1 can lead foal, 1 can lead mare, the 3rd push the foal from behind and to close ramp, this would be ideal if you can. Take foal in ahead of mare but almost together so the mare can encourage the foal in, her handler can push from behind if required so not too many people are trying to get into the trailer with them. If she is a good loader it should be fairly easy as long as you get organised and helpers know what to do, as soon as they are in person 3 shuts ramp, others get out carefully through grooms door.

As foal is loose make sure grooms door is lockable or really secure.
 
we do either foal in first with a person each side to help with the steering and mum half a length behind or foal close beside mum with a person on one side so that foal gets their confidence from mum and the person just keeps them straight. whichever way the people with the foal must make sure its easy for it to walk forwards and in a relaxed unhurried way. good luck at the show :)
 
Thanks everyone. Sounds about what I was thinking. Have a total of at least 5 people around for loading etc so not short of help :-)
 
You may need to check the rules on the minimum age for the foal. You may find it's a minimum of 5 weeks.
 
You will be able to force him on just now, but why make travel a negative life experience for him. Personally I'd have wanted to have him loading happily weeks and weeks (minimum) before going to a show.
 
Minimum age is 3 weeks - I've discussed it with the vet and they're happy for him to go. My yard is a busy competitive yard so he's already exposed to lots.

I have no intention of forcing him to do anything, stressing him out or giving him a negative experience - hence asking for the best way to load them. If he starts to show any signs of stress then we will stop, either not go or come straight home.
 
The owners of the stallion who fathered a foal of mine were insistent that he and his mum should be shown in the "mare with foal at foot" class.

I couldn't care less about showing and agreed but only if they did the showing! Well, it was the best thing possible and gave the foal a great start in life. He grew up with a reputation of being bomb proof.

Lots of good advice above on loading.

The "exposure to infection" argument wouldn't put me off either as I'd expect an unweaned foal to acquire immunity from it's mother. It might even kick start it's immune system!

As a means of selecting suitable breeding stock, shows are crap. As a means of demonstrating what animals should look like to the general public, shows are crap. As a means of socialising youngsters, they are difficult to beat! Just the opinion of an old cynic.
 
Could you take them both to the futurity instead ? Its a great experience for young ones, plus you have the arena to yourself and its much quieter than an inhand show ( sorry assumed thats what you have arranged)

I have taken all 3 of mine although they where 3-5 months old. Loading at home is the easiest part, dont forget you have to reload at the other end. Plus they tend to have stables to hire at the centres, so after travelling mare and foal can have a bit of down time before they go into the arena. Much less stressful for first time out regardless of age. Its also less stressful for you:D
 
mynutmeg said:
Minimum age is 3 weeks - I've discussed it with the vet and they're happy for him to go. My yard is a busy competitive yard so he's already exposed to lots.

I have no intention of forcing him to do anything, stressing him out or giving him a negative experience - hence asking for the best way to load them. If he starts to show any signs of stress then we will stop, either not go or come straight home.
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This is Wednesday and the show is Saturday? I don't understand why you wouldn't want to practice well in advance so there is no stress and you don't need to stop.
 
Unfortunately theres no futurieties anywhere near me. Im up in the north so am limitd in whats around. Over the summer theres a grand total of 3 shows close enough (im limiting how long we travel for)
Id love to pracyice but normally have me and my disabled sister normally so dnt have the option. Plus its a borrowed trailer so cant mess about to much with taking partition in and out. Have organised lota of friends and lots of time for saturday morning. I dont see it beig a problem as hes a bold confident thing.
 
Be aware that you may also have difficulty unloading - it can be more difficult and dangerous than loading. Make sure that you have the same number of people available to help at the other end. I hope all goes well.

I agree with Asha that Futurity is a better first outing than a show. There are a fair few, so unless you're right up in the north of Scotland it shouldn't be too much trouble finding one?

The foal would, however, have to be by a graded stallion and be bred for dressage, SJ, eventing or endurance - don't know who your foal is by...?
 
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There are a couple near us but i believe foal can only be entered from min of 6 weeks ? Not that we could go as we dont have a box :D:o


Perhaps practicse loading in the week we are staring to practice with a friends box just so she has been there done it kind of thing in a weeks time :)
 
Foal is by tb called mount holly. Dont think hes graded and mare isnt. Yup will have lots of people at both ends as I believe theres a risk of foal 'sticking' then launching off the ramp. I was planning to use the back ramp to unload as its wider and no car right next to it. I was planning on two people with hands linked at chest and butt to guide and control foal when going in and out. He responds really well to a ligt touch on his rump ti go forward

Am in cumbria and havent been able to find one. Prob looking in wrong places foe furturities. Bred mainly for a rc type and went with a stallion that best complemented the mare. Hes turned out a really nice type that I reckon would be well suites to eventing or similar
 
mynutmeg said:
Foal is by tb called mount holly. Dont think hes graded and mare isnt. Yup will have lots of people at both ends as I believe theres a risk of foal 'sticking' then launching off the ramp. I was planning to use the back ramp to unload as its wider and no car right next to it. I was planning on two people with hands linked at chest and butt to guide and control foal when going in and out. He responds really well to a ligt touch on his rump ti go forward
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Sounds perfect.

Good luck at the show!:D:D
 
Showing is the best bombproofing a foal can get if his mum is confident and happy in the surroundings. Futurity is good too but not as good as showing where there are far more things to see and accept as long as he is leading well and is happy with his leader and mum isnt stressed you are doing the very best thing you can for him.
I once arrived at a show to be handed a foal who had only had a foal slip on in the trailer half an hour before he went on to be show champion although it was a bit dodgy to start with as he didnt have a clue how to lead but not a method I would recommend but not much I could do about it as he was there and his owner insisted at least he had kind handling and not bullied by me
 
Hes had a headcollar on since about day 3 (took that long to get hold of one small enough for him) and happily stands there to have it one amd off so am travelling naked and will put his filly slip on before opening any ramps or anything.

Mare is confident and happy and he leds nicely.
 
In which case go enjoy yourself and give your baby the best education he will ever get. Just dont get bitten by the bug and over do the show numbers two or three are more than enough for a foal to travel to. I usually do one or two as a foal two or three as a yearling four as a two year old and a proper season as a three yearold before backing and riding away at 4 and a half or older when they mostly dont go showing as four is a funny age not old/mature enough for adult classes and too old for youngstock
Have backed my youngster slightly early at 4+ as she really should be sold and no one wanted her unbacked she was second on sunday at her first ridden show a few weeks after being backed and because of her in hand showing career was a super star not fazed by anything
 
There are only 3 within about a half hour drive. Everything else we wpuld be talking at least an hour and a half minimum travel which is too far. The three we're doing are nicely spaced once a month or so
 
FfionWinnie said:
You will be able to force him on just now, but why make travel a negative life experience for him. Personally I'd have wanted to have him loading happily weeks and weeks (minimum) before going to a show.
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The best thing is to get them on board with mum - I have masses of straw down - when they are so young its easy to put them on and with no terrifying force.

I always put baby on board first followed by mum - mum is more likely to follow the foal than the other way around!

Make sure you shut up the back above the ramp or put a rail across to prevent foal from trying to climb out.

All mine are great travellers have no problem getting them in trailers or trucks.

I've shown foals as young as three weeks - they are fine.

Serenade at his first show just 4 weeks old - we wheel barrowed him on - one led two linked arms behind and shoved him in! I didn't own a trailer so couldn't practise - He now self loads
cambridgeAP017.jpg
 
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Lovely pic. No straw left and havent been able to get any more thats decent so theyre on hemp now. Was planning to put down a nice deep bed of that in the trailer for them tho. its an ifor so can close all the back doors etc.
Whats the best way to manage mare and foal at the show if we have any hanging round to do? If they win jnto the parade we may have several hours to wait. I was thinking reload and almost use the trailer as a stable (obviously they will not be left alone at all)
 
mynutmeg said:
Lovely pic. No straw left and havent been able to get any more thats decent so theyre on hemp now. Was planning to put down a nice deep bed of that in the trailer for them tho. its an ifor so can close all the back doors etc.
Whats the best way to manage mare and foal at the show if we have any hanging round to do? If they win jnto the parade we may have several hours to wait. I was thinking reload and almost use the trailer as a stable (obviously they will not be left alone at all)
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I left mine inside the trailer in a shady place until just before the class started - baby lay down and had a snooze - mum had a haynet. Once out we held them near the class so baby could have a good look around

Serenade - just chilling while mum caught up with some grazing
WishawSerenade11252006CambridgeAampP004-1.jpg
 
mynutmeg said:
Whats the best way to manage mare and foal at the show if we have any hanging round to do? If they win jnto the parade we may have several hours to wait. I was thinking reload and almost use the trailer as a stable (obviously they will not be left alone at all)
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So long as the mother has hay and water they'll be fine. The foal will just lie down and go to sleep. My little ones are quite used to travelling about in trailers. One is actually going today on a long jaunt to one of the repro clinics I use which is 3 hours drive each way. They will stay overnight tonight and then come home again tomorrow all going well. We have big stock trailers over here so travel mares and foals loose and it's easy peasy to get the foals in. I have a rampless trailer so I just park up on our loading bank, lead the mother around to the back of the trailer and keep walking. The foals just wander alongside their mother and then we shut the big metal gate and then we're on our way.

Good luck at the show!
 
amymay said:
Sounds perfect.

Good luck at the show!:D:D
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Thanks :D

Tnavas said:
I left mine inside the trailer in a shady place until just before the class started - baby lay down and had a snooze - mum had a haynet. Once out we held them near the class so baby could have a good look around

Serenade - just chilling while mum caught up with some grazing
WishawSerenade11252006CambridgeAampP004-1.jpg
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Gorgeous.

Spring Feather said:
So long as the mother has hay and water they'll be fine. The foal will just lie down and go to sleep. My little ones are quite used to travelling about in trailers. One is actually going today on a long jaunt to one of the repro clinics I use which is 3 hours drive each way. They will stay overnight tonight and then come home again tomorrow all going well. We have big stock trailers over here so travel mares and foals loose and it's easy peasy to get the foals in. I have a rampless trailer so I just park up on our loading bank, lead the mother around to the back of the trailer and keep walking. The foals just wander alongside their mother and then we shut the big metal gate and then we're on our way.

Good luck at the show!
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Foally going to sleep while mom does what she does best (stuff her face on haylage) is what I'm planning / hoping for.

I've seen those big trailers, they look ace. It's an ifor I'm borrowing so was going to travel mare cross tied and foal loose (and go super, super slow - I think I'm going to cause a big tail back :p:p:eek::eek:)
 
I agree showing mare and foal is a brilliant way of introducing foaly to the ways of the world with a confident mum - you'll reap the benefits later when foaly is being ridden.

We did this with our first home bred, three shows with her mum, then a break until she was 3 and then in hand classes (about 3 of them) and at the last one she had just been backed so took the opportunity to have her ridden round the lorry park. She's absolutely brilliant now - takes all the shenanigans of a busy agricultural show in her stride.

As long as the mare and foal are healthy there's no reason not to show them.
 
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