Putting another mare in with mare and foal

[Skyebald]

I have two mares, one with 4 week old foal and would like to get them all together if possible. They have been in paddocks next to each other since the foal was born, in fact the mare gave birth by the gate seperating the paddocks.
The mares were together before foal and were great, The mare without foal is the leader though.

What age is usually safe to introduce them? and any tips on the best way and how long would it take to settle ?

There have been no issues over the fence between them even if I feed them close to the gate .

 

[riverdance]

I put another mare in with my mare and foal when foal was about 2 months old. The mother was the dominant mare though. They took turns watching over foal and the second mare adored it also. I was able to wean foal off with the other mare with hardly any fuss at all. Not sure if dominant mare would take foal away, leave that one to the more experienced breeders.

 

[Skyebald]

The mares have been grooming over the gate, so they seem quite chilled with each other just no idea what the reaction will be when in together with a foal in the mix

 

[Enfys]

I would expect them to be fine together if they are used to each other.

I turn them out together in the morning, preferably when they are hungry and more interested in grass, just give yourself time when you have a good while to just be around to keep an eye on them.

I have a very settled mare herd with mares of all ages, as the mares had their foals I simply put them back in with the herd after a day or two. Sometimes a mare will get too close for comfort and the dam will make it quite clear how close is too close. (The chestnut was pushing her luck a bit, the palomino had been allowed instant access as she was the 'best friend')

 

[Skyebald]

Thanks Enfys ... great pic

I think I'll give them a try this weekend when I can be around for most of the time .My other mare is off to pastures new tonight so it'll be nice for her to have the company if they settle, if not she'll be in her own paddock next door again

 

[Holly831]

Hi,

This is the first year I have ended up with just one foal (other was stillborn ),usually I would turn mares & foals back out with the 'herd' when the youngest foal was around 4 weeks old. This time I introduced a 3 year old filly in with my very foal proud mare & colt. They had been fine over the fence but the mare would not let her colt near the other horses.

Mare promptly chased the filly out of the field! Brought them all in and stabled them next to each other overnight and tried again the next morning (when they were keen to eat the grass) and apart from some face pulling from the mare they have settled beautifully with the mare now more than happy to leave her colt to play with my filly.

I felt it was important the colt had interaction with other horses as his mum is a real wimp with him and allows him to do what he likes The filly on the other hand, stands no nonsense from him (when he tries to kick/mount her) and he has now learnt to 'read' her and it's lovely to see them playing.

Good Luck and photos?

 

[Skyebald]

Sorry you had a still born, can't imagine what that would be like
I have posted some pics previously in NL and the foal pic sticky thread but this is my fav

 

[pintoarabian]

My foal this year is in with her dam and her dam's best friend. The foal spends more time hanging around the other mare and visitors assume she is the dam. The dam is very relaxed about it all and doesn't mind where the foal is. The foal, a pure bred Arab, is totally laid-back, well-adjusted and well-socialised to the point of being the friendliest I think I have ever bred.

 

[Skyebald]

I put them together today with no problem at all, although foalie got a bit upset when he realised his new play mate was stricter than his mum

Had a major downpour and they all happily shared the field shelter too, which is good news

 

[Dry Rot]

One of my Highland mares foaled the other day. She is in with two other in-foal mares, two 2yo's and two yearlings. Of course, I kept an eye on them in case of problems but everything was fine. A yearling filly thought it might be fun to make friends with the foal but got a mock double barrel for her trouble (missed by a mile!). After that, she was a bit more cautious.

My biggest worry was with putting the mare back with the stallion for a foal heat covering. There is always a fair bit of action and I worried the foal might be kicked or go through a fence. But I need not have worried as everything went fine. The stallion is a gentleman anyway.

I always think what would happen if they were a wild herd? Surely mares with young foals mix in with the herd without problems? Just need to keep an eye on them in case a rescue is needed! I'm sure it must be good for the foal to mix as much as possible?