Very strict mare with Foal

S

StaceyTanglewood

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 December 2006
Messages
4,904
Visit site
My mare has had her second foal who is now 1 month old !!

But she is being very strict with her and bossing her about a lot - she wasnt like this with the first one !! she gets very funny when she is eating and doesnt like her to try and suckle which i kind of understand !!

IS this normal ???
 
I would say yes. I used to breed Welsh Cobs and I can remember a foal running around the field like a mad thing eventually falling over. She'd failed to return to mother when called several times. Once foal fell over mother booted her shouted some more and foal laid down at her feet!!! Many of the mares didn't want foals suckling whilst feeding. You will also notice that foal cannot suckle until he/she has walked across mother's chest first. If you ever get to watch a herd of 30 or more mares and foals in action its a very very interesting experience.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would say yes. I used to breed Welsh Cobs and I can remember a foal running around the field like a mad thing eventually falling over. She'd failed to return to mother when called several times. Once foal fell over mother booted her shouted some more and foal laid down at her feet!!! Many of the mares didn't want foals suckling whilst feeding. You will also notice that foal cannot suckle until he/she has walked across mother's chest first. If you ever get to watch a herd of 30 or more mares and foals in action its a very very interesting experience.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok so im panicking for nothing as my little foal looks scared to move when ,mummy is eating !! i just guess they are taching her good manners - she doesnt mind her eating her food though its only when she goes by her back legs !!
 
Fleur with her first made him stand in the corner with his head facing the wall. He was not allow out or to watch her eating, and if he did was firmly put back there.

Now on the third, she is more relaxed, they don't have to face the corner now, but are not allowed to feed when she is.

Her mum was the same - maybe this is where they get it from - a line of strict mums.

Funny thing is, in the field she would share hay from the same pile with her field companion.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Fleur with her first made him stand in the corner with his head facing the wall. He was not allow out or to watch her eating, and if he did was firmly put back there.

Now on the third, she is more relaxed, they don't have to face the corner now, but are not allowed to feed when she is.

Her mum was the same - maybe this is where they get it from - a line of strict mums.

Funny thing is, in the field she would share hay from the same pile with her field companion.

[/ QUOTE ]

See my mare is a wimp when out with others and will never kick or anything - its so strange and she wasnt like this the first time !!

she is worse in the field than in her stable - but will let the foal eat out of her feedbucket !! strange
 
Hannah is like this with Troy... she won't let him feed when she is eating, being groomed or just doesn't feel like it
laugh.gif
She has been quite strict with him, although he still tries to rear up on her
blush.gif


At first she would tolerate him jumping on her, now she spins around and clobbers him
laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hannah is like this with Troy... she won't let him feed when she is eating, being groomed or just doesn't feel like it
laugh.gif
She has been quite strict with him, although he still tries to rear up on her
blush.gif


At first she would tolerate him jumping on her, now she spins around and clobbers him
laugh.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

its only the feeding but im just worried she will kick her and damage her she isnt little but is so dainty !!

here is a picture of her at 12 hours old
nibsfield.jpg
 
I wish one of mine were more like this..
The mare is quite old and is an absolute cow to her foal, the poor thing is now being supplemented by bottled milk and she walks straight over it frequently sending the foal flying.
We are feeding it ourselves but it rarely gets much opportunity to eat as she just walks off and leaves it.
Some mares are like this, and I think they must have different opinions of their babies. The mare I mentioned loved her other foals but has disliked this one from day one.. It has failed to thrive and we have had the vet out a few times, done blood tests etc, but really it comes down to lack of care from it's Mum..
We are trying to address the problem but it is so sad, the poor foal stands by the gate and the mare is away across the paddock.
I think I may attempt to remove it for a few minutes to see if I can get any maternal instincts to kick in..
I wouldn't worry too much about yours, perhaps she percieves it as a naughty foal!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top