Seperating yearlings who have been together since birth?

[TheTrotter.]

Hiya.
In need of some advice. I own a yearling filly and gelding, who are half siblings, they have been together since birth and have never been seperated.
In my current circumstance (Which if you look into my threads you will understand..) I will need to seperate the filly from her gelding brother next springtime..

How do I go about this without causing too much stress on either animal?

Thankyou.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Do you have other horses that can be used to nanny each youngster.

 

[TheTrotter.]

I have a older one, who can go with the gelding, but not with the filly.. :/

 

[Spring Feather]

As above. Find a friend for each of them, put all into the same field and then separate as and when it's required.

 

[HBM1]

I don't know your situation sorry, but if you could afford to, could you send them to a stud or somewhere with other youngsters so they can make more friends before being separated?

 

[AdorableAlice]

Are you facilities set up for grazing side by side but not in same paddocks.

 

[AmyMay]

As above. Find a friend for each of them, put all into the same field and then separate as and when it's required.

The perfect way to do things.

 

[TheTrotter.]

There are no studs nearby, and I can't afford to send them there..

 

[TheTrotter.]

They are currently in a large field, which could be split up with electric fencing, but I don't know how great the risk of them getting tangled up in it would be..

 

[TheTrotter.]

The perfect way to do things.

And if I could afford another one, then it would be a brilliant way

 

[Spring Feather]

They are currently in a large field, which could be split up with electric fencing, but I don't know how great the risk of them getting tangled up in it would be..

Huge, I suspect. Plenty people on this forum use electric with their youngsters but it's not something I would ever do and I certainly wouldn't have one youngster alone on one side of an electric fence separating it from the other youngster and a companion.

 

[AmyMay]

They are currently in a large field, which could be split up with electric fencing, but I don't know how great the risk of them getting tangled up in it would be..

Think of it as a bit like weaning - out of sight and out of sound. I would risk electric fencing and both certainly will need company.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Huge, I suspect. Plenty people on this forum use electric with their youngsters but it's not something I would ever do and I certainly wouldn't have one youngster alone on one side of an electric fence separating it from the other youngster and a companion.

Neither would I.

I have a 2 year old on it's own in a small paddock, with adult horses on each side of him, but it is all post and rail.

 

[AmyMay]

I would NOT risk electric fencing. Missed the NOT out.

 

[texas]

Could you loan another companion on a temporary basis when the time comes, so they each have a new companion? Do you have stables? Even if not, start by separating one off in a small taped off area while they both receive a feed either side of the fence. You stand right next to them while they eat so there should not be any chaos. Then start taking one outside the paddock, starting by just outside the gate for a fuss and some carrots, leaving the other with the companion and dinner, gradually getting futher away. This works for me. Time and patience is key, don't rush it.

 

[AdorableAlice]

I would NOT risk electric fencing. Missed the NOT out.

I was surprised !

We have not answered the OP's problem of 2 youngsters, 1 adult horse and a huge field. Op, would anyone you know have an elderly companion pony you could borrow for a while.

 

[madlady]

Is the yearling filly the one that is in foal from your previous thread?

Assuming that it is then.

Ideally she needs to be with other mares and foals - the mares will help her and it will help if the foal has others to play with.

I'm not sure where in the country you are but I know of at least 2 studs in my area who would offer you grass livery for mare and foal for between £5 and £10 pw. If you could find somewhere like that then you could put the gelding with the older horse. You would have to come up with an arrangement at weaning time still.

 

[TheTrotter.]

Is the yearling filly the one that is in foal from your previous thread?

Assuming that it is then.

Ideally she needs to be with other mares and foals - the mares will help her and it will help if the foal has others to play with.

It is her, going to stud is not an option.

 

[Alexart]

I wouldn't split up and have one on its own either - you'll cause far more stress and the chance of injury is far higher if you do, has she not had a jab to try and stop the pregnancy? - sorry haven't read your other post so don't know how far along this poor yearling is. Electric tape is not an option I would use either as that's just asking for injuries! I'd keep her with the others and when she's nearer foaling get her into a routine of coming in at night and being stabled on her own but next to the others, which you'll need to do anyway as it'll be too risky foaling such a young horse outside incase of emergencies, plus giving her the extra feed she'll certainly need. Then when she does foal you can just keep her in a separate paddock and as she'll be so preoccupied with the foal she won't notice the absence of the others hopefully, and when the foal is a week or 2 old and they can go back out with the others.
If you don't have the option of any of the above then I'd definitely find a stud livery - yes it will cost extra but then the chance of injury being high could cost you a fortune too or the risk of loosing filly and foal, the safety of them should be top of the list really, she'd only need to be away for a couple of months until she's foaled and it's old enough to travel.

 

[TheTrotter.]

I wouldn't split up and have one on its own either - you'll cause far more stress and the chance of injury is far higher if you do, has she not had a jab to try and stop the pregnancy? - sorry haven't read your other post so don't know how far along this poor yearling is. Electric tape is not an option I would use either as that's just asking for injuries! I'd keep her with the others and when she's nearer foaling get her into a routine of coming in at night and being stabled on her own but next to the others, which you'll need to do anyway as it'll be too risky foaling such a young horse outside incase of emergencies, plus giving her the extra feed she'll certainly need. Then when she does foal you can just keep her in a separate paddock and as she'll be so preoccupied with the foal she won't notice the absence of the others hopefully, and when the foal is a week or 2 old and they can go back out with the others.
If you don't have the option of any of the above then I'd definitely find a stud livery - yes it will cost extra but then the chance of injury being high could cost you a fortune too or the risk of loosing filly and foal, the safety of them should be top of the list really, she'd only need to be away for a couple of months until she's foaled and it's old enough to travel.

We do have a stable, and also a barn which would be available, so this seems like the simplest option with the least amount of stress..

Jabbing is not an option, as she is not my horse, and so it is out of my hands.. (Long story..)

Thankyou for all the advice everyone, its really helpful to hear diffrent options!

 

[tessybear]

not the same but kind of ? With dolly we are carting her off up the road to a livery yard where she will stay with a nanny boyfriend horse out of sight, out of ear shot ... will be traumatic but better in the long run. Could you stick them at a livery yard that's local ?