Should I socialise my mare and foal? Suggestions?

arwenplusone

arwenplusone

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Hi All, just wanted to canvas opinion on a subject -

My mare has a foal of just over three months and she is in foal again, it is a little way til weaning and so far, they have been kept in a field on their own. Thing is I'd like to put them with others before the foal gets weaned but I have never done this before - does anyone else do it and if so, how?

the problem is that I am on a big livery yard. I have another mare (5 yr old, in work) that I could put in with them as i think they might be ok. (she's in the field next door) Geldings are a no as the mare is quite foal proud but do you think a mare would be ok or should I just leave them on their own til october?

Keen to know what all you experienced stud people do?
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Our foal, born in April went back in with part of her mothers herd at 2 days old; 2 mares. When she was about 3 weeks old, the rest of the herd (her father and 3 other geldings) were allowed back in the field with them.

Right now, in the same herd, I have a mare on the brink of foaling and she is likely to foal in the field with them all around if she foals during the day. She is the herd leader though so won't put up with any nonsense from anyone; plus she is a seasoned breeding mare and knows the drill.
 
I would be looking to move the mare and foal pretty soon to an establishment that catered for breeding and youngstock. The set up you are in now sounds far from ideal to be honest.
 
Last year I waited until the foal was 3mths then introduced them 1 by 1 after they had been grazing in the paddock next door. This year the yearling was allowed into the same paddock after about a month. There should not be a problem so long as they have had time to get to know each other, pref over the fence.
 
Mine have only just come back from stud as I was hoping to get the mare in-foal again. The stud puts the mare and foal out into a small paddock on their own for a couple of days after the foal is born and then they go back out with mare and foal herd. Mine are now home on their own but the foal is three and a half months old. I am "borrowing" a weanling New Forest to keep the foal company when she is weaned in a couple of months. IMO AmyMay's suggestion is a good one. A livery yard is not really a good place for a single foal. Foals need foal company.
 
Thanks guys,

AmyMay, you are right - my situation is far from ideal but I am in the best yard I caan be at the moment due to location and cost! Long term I will move them (or perhaps end up having an entire herd of my own so it shouldn't matter too much
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There are three mares in the field next door (including my other) so I think they should be alright together - The mare and foal will be ok - I am just nervous for the other horse as Arwen can be very protective of her foal!
 
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