Pregnant mares, foals and rugs

[Pollyfilla]

Lately we have had unseasonably mild weather, with temperatures not dropping below five most days. My pregnant mare has not needed a rug, which is great as is she is due any day now. (Unplanned)

However, if it eventually turns cold I’d prefer to rug, but having a foal due I am wary. She lives out although we have a field shelter. She hasn’t got a thick enough coat if we get very cold wet weather - we live in the north Scottish highlands.

Foal will also need protection from the damp and cold. Our fields are very wet. The mare is not good being confined, so I’m hopeful everything can be outdoors as much as possible.

Does anyone else have experience with winter foals?

 

[ihatework]

A winter foal in Scotland with the mud doesn’t sound like an appealing prospect, rug or no rug.

If you are going to rug the mare then take the fillet/leg straps off and do the belly straps tight.

But I’d really urge you to find some temporary accommodation until spring for the mare & foal. Anyone with a spare bit of barn they can rent you or similar?

 

[Pollyfilla]

Like hens teeth up here, sadly. Farmers aren’t keen on renting to horse owners, and livery yards are few and far between. We have to do our best with what we have.

 

[AmyMay]

You’ll need to provide some really good shelter for the mare and foal, and preferably not rug the mare. Assuming she’s not a native breed I can understand your concerns. But if you provide adequate shelter and plenty of forage you may get away with it. I’m assuming you’re on foal watch now, and have got her in a smaller area of the field so that you can monitor. But the real concern would be ensuring you can get mare and foal under cover immediately post foaling and in poor weather. The foal would be my main priority. Cold and wet = pneumonia

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Can you get hold of a few big straw bales? Even old ones?
You could make a temp pen or windbreak with them and sling a tarp over the top if necessary.

 

[Five&Two]

In the breeding section you mention you new finished field shelter, can you start getting mare used to being in their before the foal arrives

 

[twiggy2]

Give ad lib hay in the shelter, soaked grass nuts and a supplement if she needs condition.
Weather is set to stay warm for now, I personally would not rug I would rather fed more than have a foal hung up in a rug.

 

[Bs_mum]

Ad-lib hay, extra feed, don’t rug her, and if you can, keep her shut in the field shelter when weather is bad. Wet cold foals are a recipe for disaster!