Riding mare with foal at foot - controversial?

arwenplusone

arwenplusone

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Rode my broodmare today
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with Mouse at foot. Caused a bit of controversy with a few on my yard - now, I didn't leave the field and they both were happy, can't see the problem myself?

Anyway, here she is , and Mouse.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3394063/Main/3394063/#Post3394063

Do you think Mouse is looking too well in those last two pictures? I am so paraniod about it!
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thanks
 
Don't worry about other liveries, I've been lunging Holz and some have had strong opinons - Callie sunbathes on the bark surface while I lunge Holz!!

They look really lovely.
 
lol- thanks
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Plan is to find a nanny horse to go in with them so I can start bringing Arwen out on her own for short periods. I'm thinking Mouse will need to be weaned quite early...
 
We have started seperating ours for short periods now - not sure about getting back on yet, I have a feeling she will ditch me after 9 months off!
 
My daughter rode our mare when her foal was about 5 months old, started off in the school, and then starting walking work round the farm - foal on a long (draw rein length) lead rein. It meant the mare got her shape back much quicker and the foal was used to being handled and therefore was brilliant when it came to being shown as a yearling, etc. Go for it - don't do too much but it won't do the mare (or foal) any harm in my opinion.
 
here's what my filly's dam was doing whilst she (the foal) was around 3 months old. i would walk Kao around the same paddock as her dam whilst she was being ridden. Kao got used to wandering around with me from when she was just over 6 weeks old. so she now follows me anywhere
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(she was jumping over 1m20 courses with only about 7 weeks till foaling so she never really got unfit as such, dealer didn't know she was in foal when she was shipped over from holland)

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not sure about the rights and wrongs with it with regards to riding with foal at foot, but they were in a rush to cash in on their investment on the mare, so they needed her ridden and sold by weaning time.
and my filly doesn't appeared scarred by her experience of it
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I had Toffees back checked this week and my chiropractor wants me to start doing some light work with her to help get some muscle back on her. Intend to start lunging this week with intention of riding in ten days or so. Can't wait. Don't think you're doi anything wrong.
Lovin pics of (Mighty) Mouse LOL!
 
Ach! Ignore the ignoramouses!
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Well done you! Bet your mare loved it! And no Mouse looks fantastic - looking nicely covered and healthy.
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I'm going to start riding the ginger one round the field today. He's only 5 weeks but i'm only staying in the field. She's looking too well on just grass and a tiny hard feed once a day so I think she needs the excercise!

We've always ridden with the foal at foot with ours.

Am very tempted to try to get to our dressage series and take him with us, then just nip in, ride the test and they are back together... hmmmm think I will! Doesn't start til October!

I don't think you are doing anything wrong, ignore the others and carry on!
 
Mouse looks great! Well done I think you are doing the right thing.

Mouse looks huge, I thought Weasel was big but not as big as Mouse. I also was thinking last night that Weasel was looking rather too "well" although the grass isn't brilliant. I dont think that Mouse looks too well though, just right.
 
I saw a pic of a driving team, all mares, with the foals tied at their side. Didn't do them any harm.

Both your girls look well!
 
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Ach! Ignore the ignoramouses!
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Well done you! Bet your mare loved it! And no Mouse looks fantastic - looking nicely covered and healthy.
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[/ QUOTE ]

Lol Tia! Only just noticed the 'ignoramouse'
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Thanks everyone for your nice comments
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I'm glad you asked this question as I intend to ride PF with foal at foot and in fact would like to know how long after foaling I should wait.
I'm still riding her at the mo and she's nearly 6mths gone but perfectly happy
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Mouse and mare look very well indeed
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