What to do when I bring Asti back from stud... advice please...

[Gingernags]

She should be going today or tomorrow if the vets get a shift on, and she should be in season now and til about Saturday but she's very quiet in season so either she will show and we'll get her straight away, or she'll be there as long as it takes.

Now when she comes back I have a bit of a problem. We only have the 3 mares at the yard. Byter is the boss of the field, Ivy is getting a bit out of hand as Byter won't correct her (mum) though they were weaned properly, and as Asti is submissive to Byter, she daren't sort Ivy out, though she tries.

Well the other two can bully Asti quite a bit. I think as I've been down more than G lately and Asti has been getting most attention as she's still ridden etc, the other two tend to rubbish her a bit when she gets put back in the field. Ivy in particular seems to chase her about a bit - sort of "where've you been eh? Eh???" and harasses her. Byter just ignores her until Asti is where she wants to be and will bite her bum or dive at her to shift her. And thats just when I've been out for a couple of hours riding!

So if she's gone anywhere from 2 weeks - if she takes straight away and is scanned OK at 14 days - to a month or more, when I bring her back do you think I'll be best off having them next to each other but keep Asti in her own paddock until she's past a certain date and I know everything is safer?

There is a time isn't there, like pregnant women, that once you are past that date, you are less likely to lose a baby etc? I think she'll be more settled that way and not be getting chased just because the other two feel like picking on her.

Thoughts?

 

[Maesfen]

If that's the case, how about separating them now, before she goes so everyone is used to her being a solo, so that when she comes back, it won't be such a big deal that she still goes in her separate paddock for a while; then when you think she's ready to be part of the gang in a couple of months, put her back in when the grumpy one has been taken out for a ride, so she gets used to them again one at a time. Does that make sense?
I'm all for keeping things smooth and gentle when you're trying to get mares in foal and during pregnancy so anything that helps keep that calm I'm all for.

Some mares can be hard as nails, work all through and not take harm; others only have to be upset once and it's all gone pear shaped and they lose it; so to play safe, I'm a safe and calm type, others just go on regardless without thinking and then wonder why it's gone wrong - mind you, it didn't help with Twiggy last year did it?! You pay enough in stud and keep fees, let alone the vet too, why make it more difficult for yourself when a bit of thought might make all the difference?

Good luck anyway, is she going to the Arab or did you change your mind?

 

[Gingernags]

No, not the arab now, she's going to a British Appaloosa, 16hh. He's lovely, fab nature, all rounder (has BD points and now eventing) and I've seen his youngstock and they are brilliant and friendly and its all so exciting, just waiting for this bl**dy swab to be cleared and she'll go - I was hoping last night, but certainly tonight, but heard nothing from the vets.

Frustrating as she is, I think, in season now! And its only half an hour away...

If she doesn't go today, I may try seperating them tonight...

 

[Tia]

Yes I always find this tricky too, not only with pregnant mares but any horse who has been away for a little while seems to have a bit of a rough time from the others on its return.

When Cloud was pregnant, she and my daughter went to stay with some friends of ours, he is an AI vet and he scanned her for us whilst she was there which was nice

, anyway they were only gone for a week and when Cloud came back we put her back in her field. The others in her herd, including Daddy of foal, were very "offy" with her for that day but then they were fine the next day. Their field is 10 acres though and only 4 of them in it so she was able to go off on her own.

Having said that, Cloud does not normally get bossed around so it didn't take her long to get back up to where she usually is in the herd.

I agree with MFH that it might be a good idea to separate them if Asti is being picked on, although sometimes you do these things to be kind to them and then you find out that they are unhappy on their own

. Just see how it goes is what I say, and good luck at the stud; hope all goes well.

When did she start to show in-season?

 

[Gingernags]

Oh the advantage of huge fields to hide in!!! Asti is prone to being on the round side so I need her in smaller areas to control her grass, and Ivy is VERY clingy to her. Usually to be found no more than 3 or 4 strides away and screams when you take Asti out, then as I say, has a go when she comes back!!!

I think it might do Ivy good for Asti to be away a while too.

The problem with Asti is she doesn't show in season... however she did back on 19 May - when we went to meet GG to ride out, Asti was all flirty and squirty with GG's mare (first time ever!) So going on that, I worked out dates for if that was her first day in season or her last day in season and got an idea of when she'd be back in season - which is anywhere from Mon/Tue (4/5 June) to tomorrow as her start of being in season.

She was swabbed on 25 but lab didn't get it in time, so she was redone on 29 May and results were due in yesterday if we are saying 7 days.

Why can't things go according to my grand and detailed plan??? I have it all diarised!!!!

 

[amandaco2]

i would pop her in a field next door with electric and ge ther used to it before she goes so its all settled.
i would sait until 40 days scan to bring her home as the embyo will be embedded then.
she only has a small chance of loosing the foal after 150days positive scan.(although if she did it would cause alot more problems for her as the fetus would be sizable and sudden abortion would cause her damage(as she wouldnt 'let down' like she would for normal foaling)
before 100days you are unlikely to be able to tell if shes slipped the foal.
i would try to keep as settled as poss the whole pregnancy but definately until 150day positive scan.

 

[Gingernags]

Well she went to stud the night I posted this, so didn't get chance to seperate them beforehand but... arrived at the stud - she's out with a complete stranger in a strange paddock and... doesn't give a stuff!!! Bless, I have never known a horse settle so quick!

Honestly, in paddock, headcollar off, looks at other mare and head down to graze!!!

Went to see her yesterday and she's totally laid back. I *think* she has been covered but haven't spoken to them yet. But she seems totally unfazed by any of it. Had some apples and a brush off, and cuddles, and seemed pleased to see me but not in a desperate get me out of here way.

Will set up a seperate paddock next to the other two for when she gets back, judging by how she is at the minute, I think she'll be fine with that, and she can go back in with the others after the 150 days then.

I am "quietly" excited at the moment...