One more question, can anyone help?

[vick]

Following on from last nights dilema...I know its best when weaning a foal if they have company, but if the little guy had companions next door that already live next door to him(seperated by an electric fence) Would that be ok, if there's not really any other option?

 

[NeedNewHorse]

I would say it was very important they had company personally. I mean this is a very important time in their life to live and learn everything and without company, to socialise with, mental stimulation, learn all they need to they will be very deprived and it will have a negative impact on their upbringing and personality and well as wellbeing.

I have not had a foal nor have I looked after youngsters so please keep that it mind, but it seems common sense that it will negative for the foal growing without the importance others bring.xxx

 

[Katie__Connie]

ditto... i would have thought it wouldn't learn to interact with others properly.... or something :S

 

[Rudey]

Afriend at my yard bred her own foal. Had mare and foal in the herd making a total of 8 horses. She left the foal in with the herd and moved her mare to another field.

When I bought my youngster, he was 10 month old unhandled colt still on his mummy. We herded him into my trailer, travelled really well and he was put into the isolation paddock. At our yard we have a strict isolation rule of 5days, worming and ensuring jabs and insurance are up to date before horses are allowed into the herd. The paddock is electric fencing within the field with the herd he was joining. He was fine, he was able to interact with the horses over the fence and he wasn't stessed at all. Perhaps not an ideal way of weaning, if I bred my own I would have done what my friend did BUT... it worked out well for my situation xx

 

[Echo Bravo]

When I weaned Willow, I put her in stable next to her mum(grill in between) on turn out during the day she was in paddock on her own but next to her mum and the others but I do have wooden fencing and she was fine. The only time she paniced or made a ruckus was when her mum was ridden out.So then we stabled her put up planks across stable door as she reared up trying to follow, only lasted 4 days as she realised mum came back after that no problem and she didn't miss her mum when the mare went else where. My advice is play by ear, some good days some bad.