Vets coming out :(

Oh I'm mega excited for you although I know you are so shocked! This is going to be a really, really exciting journey and I'm quite jealous!

Your foal will be sellable because unlike a lot of others, it will have handling and love and care and life experiences, and I just know you are going to set it up for a lovely life :-)
 
I'm sorry it's such a shock:(

Look, it's happened, she's a lovely girl and she may have a lovely foal, but you don't HAVE to love it. It's changed all your plans and I can understand your feelings of resentment.

There are still plans that you can make. She's been ridden up until recently, in this country we are very precious about our mares but in other places mares are back in work pretty much as soon as foal will reliably jog alongside. I'm not knowledgeable on this but as she has been kept going she's in a better place to start riding sooner than a mare who hasn't been ridden for half a year or more already. Talk to your vet about keeping her in trim after she's foaled and when her tendons and ligaments will have firmed up again from the hormones that soften them during pregnancy/birth.

As for selling, don't panic. Provided you can put some time into getting foal to understand that it likes people you will always be able to sell, you just need to emphasise the mare's lovely calm nature and good attitude.

Don't panic. Take some time to get over the shock and remember, you REALLY don't have to love it. My daughter didn't want to love our mares foal and was quite blunt about it - and she got some flack for it - but actually they do tend to grow on you and the best of it is that baby animals are cute and even if you don't love it someone will fall in love with it very easily.

Good luck for a quiet easy foaling.
 
Ahhhh how exciting! I know you may not be but I am soo happy...sorry that's not much use!

Right, I'll make a deal with you! You keep little foaly for 3-4yrs, bring them on and turn them into a lovely horse...I'll keep going with my riding lessons and by the time she's ready to go, I'll be ready to have my own. Sorted!! Nevermind that I'll have never owned a horse before, let alone a youngster, or that you don't want to keep it for 4 years...these are just technicalities...it will all be fine!! Problem solved :D

Seriously though, good luck, we're all rooting for you! X
 
tessybear said:
Feel like crying.. not because I am happy either :o

Feel like such a cow for feeling angry at this but it's not something we ever , ever wanted :(
Click to expand...

It is still a shock for you and all your family. You still have a lovely mare, we bred from my pony when I was young, she did it all herself and was lovely to watch the way she protected the foal as it grew.

Perhaps you can find someone who would like an excerciser/rider for a horse for the summer so you do not miss out on your riding.

You may also be able to find some in hand classes at shows you go to this summer.
 
Awww wow congrats u will soon warm to the idea of foalie and once he/she is out u will not be able to think of anything else! :)
If u did decide to keep foalie in a few years time or so u would have 2 to ride! :)
 
Oh bless you.... you have all the pressure from everyone here to be thrilled with the news and I can tell that it has knocked the wind out of your sails! Take a breath and give yourself some time to get used to the idea. I had my first experience of a foal last year and it was great - in hindsight! At the time I was a nervous wreck! :p OK, so you can't ride your mare for a few months but you should make a few £££s selling off her offspring and think of the experience in the meantime....
 
Don't be too upset OP. I know its ruined your summer plans, but think of it as a positive experience. You have plenty more summers to enjoy Tess.

Take a deep breath and look into what you need to do next. 2 weeks isn't very long and I imagine she could foal any day really.

I don't think you will have any trouble selling her if she is like her mum. Keep smiling and know you have a ton of support and help on here at any time of the day or night xx

EDIT: Just noticed I put sell "her" That's my bet, a filly :p xx
 
Congratulations and don't worry, I'm sure everything will work out for the best. As to not being able to ride, of course you will be able to, just not for the first couple of months. We started to ride our mare a couple of months after she foaled and slowly built her fitness up again. In the beginning the foal was held at the side of the arena and halfway through riding was allowed to drink. We even took him to a dressage clinic with mum. He was better behaved then some of the horses being ridden!
Eventually he was left in the stable alone for short periods which were gradually increased. As long as there was a horse in the box next to him or he could see others, he was calm. We even took him out on small hacks either being led next to mum or tied to mum. Was very good for his education! Was also very very easier to wean. No stress whatsoever on either side. He is 3 this year and uncut and is so laidback and very very good natured. He is no cob or native but a Dutch Warm Blood!
You may be in shock now but just wait till you see foalie for the first time. I bet it will be love at first sight. I hope you also get to see the birth.
 
Congratulations to the mum to be!

It must be a huge shock but I am sure once you look into those little gorgeous foal's eyes you will be utterly smitten.
 
Congratulations! :)

Don't worry about missing out on summer riding, there's not going to be a summer at this rate!!!!! :D
 
Ideas for names, Jiva nor a colt, means living, signify the resurrection of the lofe of christ being easter time and for a filly Aviva means spring, flowering of buds, it is Hebrew origin. Lovely news you will cope, give her lots of hay cos she will be anxious when foally comes.
 
First time I have managed to get on my comptuer today as been so busy & oh my god how exciting although it may not feel like it now :D
 
Polos Mum said:
By far the majority of people will be looking at how s/he is handled and cared for rather than pedegree. Leading nicely, groomable, feet trimmed, wormed etc. you'll find them a nice home no problem.

It's the ones that you can't get a headcollar on or touch, who look wormy from over the fence and have random breeding that struggle.
Click to expand...

Ah congratulations I wouldnt have a clue either but I would be most willing to learn and in some ways what a fantastic horse experience! I would not know if to laugh or cry if it was me but make the best of it now. Too late, thats life.
I agree with all the answers posted etc and I do agree the necessity of knowing a sire is piddly squat to someone like me that would be after something well handled and sane in the brain rather than pedigree. So I wouldnt worry about that, I dont care if they have two heads as long as they are friendly type. You have a lovely cob and they will still be a lovely cob in a few months. Anyway you may decide to keep it. Lots going on so I suppose first thing is to start planning, where! How etc. But mother nature seems to have taken over really. Really sending good vibes and I think its very exciting. Cant wait for the next bit now....x
 
Oh be happy, I know you miss this summer but think of the amazing invaluable experience you will have. And i'm sure Tessy will be a fab mum, two weeks is such a short time though I understand it must be so daunting :eek:

Give her huge hugs!!

Are you considering the stud for her?

As for selling baby, cross that bridge when you come to it. I'm sure HE ;) will be a lovely well brought up baby with plenty going for him. so don't worry.

xxxxxx
 
Oh bless you! No you dont have to be happy at the news - it is a huge shock and as you say not what you were planning at all.

Maybe a way to look at it is that of all the things that might be 'wrong' with your mare and need the vet to come out this is not the very worst news it could be.

Have you thought maybe about posting on your local horsey facebook group to see if there is anyone on there with experience of breeding horses who would actually come out and visit you and provide a bit of practical advice / support?

If she is insured, might this cover unsuspected pregnancy? (dont know as never thought about it before).

Very best wishes to you and Tess, hope in the end everything goes smoothly for you both.
 
WELL DONE TESSY !!! :D

It's come as a huge shock to all of us, hasn't it !! But the least of your worries will be rehoming the foal - with so many HHO aunties gawping at all your updates, and with us all knowing her mum, I think you'd be inundated with offers ;)

I guess having two is a financial worry too. But look at it this way - I would give my wisdom teeth (if I had them) for the opportunity to have a foal from Day Zero. I would simply love it, but it won't happen to Shy, pretty sure of that ..

((((((((((HUGS))))))
 
I'm a breeder (I *plan* my breedings) but I would be just as peed off as you are OP if I bought a mare on the understanding she was not pregnant and then months later it turned out that she was. Being pragmatic about it, there's nothing you can do. It is what it is but I do understand your shock and upset about this. First thing I'd be doing is contacting the previous owners and asking them for more information on the colt/stallion that the mare was with. And if you're in any doubt about being able to sell the foal, just take a look around at what some people are buying! This type of foal appears to be all the rage in England from what I'm seeing so I don't think you'll have any problems selling.
 
tessybear said:
I'm terrified have never delt with a foal do not have a clue where to start and it's still not sunk in :o
summer worth of riding gone but im sure i will warm to it soon :D
Click to expand...

Congratulations sooooooo exciting! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

You will coo a lot - have many cooing visitors and will be a great mum! If you can manage it stay up to watch the birth - It's awesome.

Camera with plenty of batteries and we will be pacing our living rooms for the announcement.

Lots of people ride their mares with a foal at foot - she'll need some time to recover from foaling but after about 6 weeks you can keep on with her schooling work, foal will join in.
 
Tessy, this will be testing and having another horse around, even though a baby, is still trying.

You will have much support here and no doubt a home for the baby once that time comes.

But, don't be surprised if you're bursting into tears of joy when the baby is born. And relief that both are ok. I know the first thing I do is hug my mare and cry like an idiot telling her how wonderful she is. But then you'll get to know the little one. And then little one tests you. Sometimes that little one will make you think you have no business being around horses at all. The first month is tough making sure all is ok. Then summer comes and all is usually pretty wonderful. Come weaning time you might think, thank goodness it's all over. But that baby will be in your heart. You will have given them a good start.

My last foal was born 3 years ago. I loved each and every moment, but I do not miss it. I can't stand selling because of the above. I worry about when they leave. So between Tessy and next year's Dee baby, I have plenty to look forward too.

We're all behind you!

Terri (((FF)))
 
I LOVE the fact that this thread about Tess is being followed all over the world - how cool is that ? Makes me proud to be a HHO member.

I know we will all help in any way we can. Perhaps ask your parents to have a look at this thread ? x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top