Potential goal adoption

[bertie123]

Hi all.

We are looking for a companion with potential for our veteran mare who’s late 20’s. We’ve been offered an 8 month filly foal viewing by a local charity who think this foal would benefit from an older horse companion. So, my question is have you had foals with older horses? Does it work? What pitfalls could I potentially be looking at?? She’s halter trained, leading etc already. Thanks x

 

[FieldOrnaments]

Foals of that age can benefit from having a steady older horse around, however, they also need same or similar aged playmates: an animal in its twenties is not going to want to play as hard (or rough probably) as a youngster. It's a bit surprising the charity is offering the filly to you unless you do have other foals.

 

[bertie123]

Foals of that age can benefit from having a steady older horse around, however, they also need same or similar aged playmates: an animal in its twenties is not going to want to play as hard (or rough probably) as a youngster. It's a bit surprising the charity is offering the filly to you unless you do have other foals.

That’s kind of what I was thinking. They said this foal is struggling a little either rough play , and retreats to be by herself in the field. That makes me question it a bit really, as to why she’s like that. I don’t think we will pursue it as my mate is very calm and happy with her own personal space after a bit and I’m worried it may end badly. Pics I’ve been sent are incredibly sweet, but I think head needs to rule here

 

[bertie123]

Sorry , my spelling is awful!!! I’ve headed it goal adoption!

 

[Suechoccy]

I've had two foals with older horses and no regrets.

The first when my riding horse was 17. He was delighted to have a new companion after my Shetland had died. He took the foal under his wing, was a proper grand-daddy to him. That foal is now my gorgeous 15 year old riding horse. The old horse is still here, amazingly, now aged 31, well beyond his sellby date, now fully retired and showing his age.

About 5 years ago the old horse didn't look to be enjoying the summer very much so I bought another foal, intending to let the new foal settle in with them both for a couple of weeks or so, and then euthanise my oldest horse.
However life didn't work out that way. Instead my 15 year old (then 10) bullied the foal, and my old horse (then 27) took the new foal under his wing and was a grand-daddy and protector to him. Having to move more than he'd been moving, he got a whole new lease of life.

Roll onto 2025, the 2nd foal is now a 6 year old and in ridden work, the grumpy one aged 15 now likes him and gets on well with him. They play together (all 3 are geldings). the old boy likes both of them, and they both still defer to the old boy who, rising 32, is still herd leader. He is finally showing his advanced years now and sadly this may be his last summer but at the moment he can still eat, canter, roll, lay down, get up, groom and graze.

 

[DressageCob]

Older horses are great at raising foals. I have two >25yos out with my two youngsters. They've been great at teaching boundaries, but I'm glad the youngsters have each other to play with as well. It's given the oldies a new lease on life; they are quite lively in the field now compared with how they were before they became parents.

 

[Plattersby]

I’ve had an older horse take a weanling under his wing really successfully. Just the two of them.

 

[bertie123]

I’ve had an older horse take a weanling under his wing really successfully. Just the two of them.

How old was your older horse Plattersby?

 

[Plattersby]

He was fifteen at the time. So he was younger than your mare is now. Age is just one consideration. The temperament of the mare and foal is important too. I mean, if the foal is quiet, it may be a perfect match.
Would the charity support you and take the foal back if your mare found it too much?
Honestly my older gelding took such good care of this rascally weanling it was heartwarming.

 

[Equi]

My first foal was born and spent the first year of life with the herd (ranging from 6-18yos) playing mostly with the 6yo
Gelding.

Her brother was born a year later and she didn’t really give a hoot about him. He too spent the first months with the herd then just him and now 7yo gelding friend. When gelded at 4 he moved to the herd. Both are confident, pleasant and easy to work with. They don’t care if they are alone/left behind. I don’t think their upbringing had any detriment to them.

 

[I'm Dun]

Unless you take 2 foals dont do it. An old mare is going to be less than ideal. I've had my 2yr old out with a teenage gelding which worked well but he was only cut at 10yrs and was a playful idiot so revelled in having a young horse to play with. I split them up in the end as I was worried he was going to hurt himself.

 

[bertie123]

He was fifteen at the time. So he was younger than your mare is now. Age is just one consideration. The temperament of the mare and foal is important too. I mean, if the foal is quiet, it may be a perfect match.
Would the charity support you and take the foal back if your mare found it too much?
Honestly my older gelding took such good care of this rascally weanling it was heartwarming.

Yes , they would, but I hate the thought of returning. Mare is ex riding school so used to living in a herd. Now currently alone bless her but has horses on each side of her in neighbouring fields at the livery yard. Never seen her be aggressive as such but did kick out at her old home if horses pestered her too much. I think we will meet her and go from there.

Unless you take 2 foals dont do it. An old mare is going to be less than ideal. I've had my 2yr old out with a teenage gelding which worked well but he was only cut at 10yrs and was a playful idiot so revelled in having a young horse to play with. I split them up in the end as I was worried he was going to hurt himself.

Unless you take 2 foals dont do it. An old mare is going to be less than ideal. I've had my 2yr old out with a teenage gelding which worked well but he was only cut at 10yrs and was a playful idiot so revelled in having a young horse to play with. I split them up in the end as I was worried he was going to hurt himself.

Thanks I'm Dun, I appreciate the advice. I thinks I'm going to go with my head on this one, and get an older companion. Appreciate everyone's replies

 

[Palindrome]

I think it could work if the filly is calm and not dominant. I have one that has never really done rough play, she is a bit timid and sensitive and was left apart from the other foals at the breeder's. I got her at one and a half and she is now 5.