Troy's first day out... and a little advice too

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Hannah and Troy went out today for the first time... and it did not go according to plan
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Tried to take Hannah out first with hubby getting foal under his bottom and a towel around his neck, but Hannah went absolutely mental when she couldn't see him because of the way the stable door opens. So, plan B was to lead Troy out and let Hannah follow...

Got Troy out, but as soon as he stepped out all the horses started shouting. Hannah had a huge panic attack, spun around, jumped on my foot and started losing the plot. As soon as we got them out of the yard where all the horses are it was much easier and they enjoyed a good three hours out.

Then bringing in, all went well to start with. I put Hannah on the Richard Maxwell head collar for a bit more control, got them out of the field and round the corner fine, but again the same thing happened. As soon as all the horses started neighing Hannah got really stressed out and panicked. Finally got her near the stable (Troy was just being an absolute sweetheart and doing as he was told) and as we got Troy in the stable Hannah totally lost the plot, lost her footing and fell on her side. Got her up, tried to calm her down and let her run into the stable. She was really stressed out in the stable whenever she heard the others shouting, but seemed to settle quite quickly.

Any advice as she is obviously very foal proud and worried and vulnerable when the others neigh???

Going to try again tomorrow but not looking forwards to it and neither is my very black foot
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Oooo... what's all this green stuff Mum?
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Me and my two Mummys
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How cute am I in my little leather headcollar?
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All this excitement has made me hungry!
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Awwww he is adorable!

sorry it didn't go to plan this time, I'm sure it will get easier as time goes by [I hope for your sake!]
 
Okay so I am sitting at my desk blubbing, he is so so so beautiful!!! I think I am in the foal broody group - but not just yet!!

Sorry not sure what to tell you except I am sure each day she will become a little bit more confident
 
Sorry to hear it did'nt go to plan but I am sure it will get easier as the days go by. Congratulations by the way- he is absolutely stunning and he looks very strong and healthy. I rekon he is going to be a big boy!!!
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1. he's gorg all the sleepless nite worth it.
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2. what a lovely green field.
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3. what a lovely green field lol
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dont have any advice for you haha my mares like that on a daily basis and in the 2 years ive had her has been no different of well i must of failed.
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He looks fantastic! What a handsome chap. Hannah looks in wonderful condition. Hope it gets easier - it has to!
 
Thanks guys... he is a real heart stopper because he just looks at you and blinks and it is love there and then! I always think foals are quite ugly looking (I know, I know), but I think because he is quite big and LATE
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he is a bit more foalie looking if you know what I mean (and I suppose I am very biased)
 
Aww he is beautiful - I adore his fluffy ears!

As to leading; well I don't touch the foal, I only ever lead the mother and the foal will follow along behind. First day and all, yes she is going to be concerned but I wouldn't let it put you off. She will settle into the fact that he IS coming behind her. Just walk her very slowly and make sure that the foal is behind/in front/with you at all times. Even if you have to keep stopping for him to catch up.

In a couple of days he will know the routine and she will hopefully be a bit calmer. Don't worry, it always comes right.
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Aw isn't he just adorable. Looks so strong and healthy.

The person I would ask about the leading/moving issue is Pat. she was fab when baby d woujldn't go anywhere.

As for leading I would practise moving Troy round the stable. Also Baby D went everywere infront of Josie for the first few weeks, she had wobbles too if she couldn't see him.

Def a controller headcollar for Hannah, and if they are going out every day then the nosey horses on the yard should quieten down, i know ours did.

Not much use I'm afraid, as I say a pm to Pat might be worth a bash? She's fab xxx
 
Tia, the problem is that Troy wanted to go in the opposite direction at one point, and unless hubby had him he would have disappeared behind a trailer and we would have had real issues then
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I can't risk not keeping hold of him, cars fly up and down the drive (YO's husband has a car business at the bottom you see) so need to have him under some sort of control.
 
Ahh yes I can see what a dilemma it is then. Sorry hadn't realised there were vehicles and suchlike around. Just practice leading Troy around while he is next to Mum and I am sure he will soon get the idea. Enjoy him.
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Thanks for keeping the updates going, I really do enjoy them and it is almost like having my own foal.

Pat is the one to contact, she has helped me with various youngster questions I have had with Stinker.

Both look very well and Troy is adorable. Shame they grow up so fast - it seems only yesterday for me that Stinker was a little fluffy yearling and now he is becoming a big strapping lad who will be 3 in June.
 
Firstly congrats to you all, he is wonderful. I think, carry on with what you are doing and a routine will quickly be established. Hannah may panic but these will get less and less.
 
Well before I go to my main yard I muck out 20 boxes at a TB stud in the village for two hours, I don't handle the mares and foals but observing the owners putting them out they lead the mare and foal together (one person leading both) the foals are kept quite short and as close to the mare as possible and the mares are all lead on chiffneys (yard practise, all their horses are lead with them or a bridle) But most of these mares are seasoned pros and I expect that makes a big difference.
Sorry tht is probably no help at all!
Love the photos, its lovely seeing the babies out in the field when the weather is like this
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Cannot offer any advice but just wanted to say

"Aaawwwwwww"

And I cannot believe how well Hannah is looking - she is soo shiney.
 
Noooo... she is so dirty
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Planning on giving her a tidy up this weekend when she has settled a bit (she still has blood on her bottom from giving birth
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I had similar issues when my mare had a foal a couple of years ago. "Logan" decided he didnt need to stay near Mom and she thought that was the end of the world.

Here are some things I did. We turned them out first, before the other horses had a chance to get racing around after turn out. We also gave hay to the outdoor horse to help occupy them while we lead the pair out.

We always lead both mare and foal. We would always lead the foal on the mares left side because she would want to turn and look at him and that way we had better control rather than her turning her bum into us to see her baby on the right side.

Go slow, try and keep the baby as close to her shoulder as possible, I know its not easy. However, it gets better. I found after about a week we could lead and everyone was ok with it. The other horses lost interest in them as well which reduced the mares, "Hussey's", stress level. The foal never cares, it is the mare that worries.

For bringing in try and stagger the times. If the other horses come in first and the mom and baby are ok with that then there will be less calling, hence less stress. If it is outdoor horses that are bothering her you can try some feed to distract them for the first couple of days but the real stress reducer will be keeping Troy to her left at about shoulder pt.

I always let Hussey stop and nose him or check on him for the first while. I had to put a chain over her nose for the first few days, other wise I would lose her during transport.

She was bad but after a week we got a routine and she felt more comfortable and all was well.

Good luck!
 
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I missed your last few posts, so I'll put it here:

A HUGE well done to you and Hannah! And the little foalie!
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Troy's a gorgeous name! And bay too!!!!!!!
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Not to mention that the nail test worked! x)
 
He looks so grown up doesn't he? I thought yesterday when he was born he looks like he has been here ages!
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What a beautiful boy. I am sure Hannah will settle soon.......until then may I suggest Steel toe caps
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