TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
A large-ish, stable herd (horses that all know each other and there is little movement in and out), in a large area, with an established routine and social heirachy, where there is no competition for resources, is simply not the same as a few horses in a livery situation where not only do you not have any control over the other horses, you don't have any control over the other people involved.
I'm sure vicijp's situation works in part because she is obviously a good horseman who "manages" the situation, perhaps without even knowing she's doing it, as it's so second nature. Also, a large group in a large area naturally splits up into small pairings or sub-herds, which provides a much less socially tense situation than a few horses thrown together because it's convenient to the people involved.
The OPs situation seems totally different, which is what's worrying people. It's fairly obvious the people she's with have little or no idea what a foal needs or what might constitute a "danger sign". As such, the risk of disaster is high and with a foal especially, it can only take a second to have it all go very wrong.
BEST for the foal is to be with other mares and foals/young horses and perhaps a few reliable older horses in a suitable setting. The most "natural" way. I'm not usually a huge fan of "natural" at all costs but we are not talking about keeping a competition horse here, we are talking about social development and safety for a foal. Of course, many people do it differently, especially with AI now the defacto breeding method, but it's my personal experience, having dealt with many horses from different backgrounds, that this is the situation most likely to yield a mentally and physically optimum foal.
It would also, for the OP, provied peace of mind. It doesn't sound like the situation is going to get easier as the foal grows.
I'm sure vicijp's situation works in part because she is obviously a good horseman who "manages" the situation, perhaps without even knowing she's doing it, as it's so second nature. Also, a large group in a large area naturally splits up into small pairings or sub-herds, which provides a much less socially tense situation than a few horses thrown together because it's convenient to the people involved.
The OPs situation seems totally different, which is what's worrying people. It's fairly obvious the people she's with have little or no idea what a foal needs or what might constitute a "danger sign". As such, the risk of disaster is high and with a foal especially, it can only take a second to have it all go very wrong.
BEST for the foal is to be with other mares and foals/young horses and perhaps a few reliable older horses in a suitable setting. The most "natural" way. I'm not usually a huge fan of "natural" at all costs but we are not talking about keeping a competition horse here, we are talking about social development and safety for a foal. Of course, many people do it differently, especially with AI now the defacto breeding method, but it's my personal experience, having dealt with many horses from different backgrounds, that this is the situation most likely to yield a mentally and physically optimum foal.
It would also, for the OP, provied peace of mind. It doesn't sound like the situation is going to get easier as the foal grows.