How NOT to Act When Your Mare Foals

[funnybunny]

I did not see that on MareStare - thank goodness. Deplorable behavior especially the smoking in the barn!!!

Painscape Farm comes up on my browser and there is a My Space link, a Guestbook on the main website. More importantly, there is a message board on Mare Stare where you can leave a message to these people letting them know of the danger of FIRE if nothing else.

Poor mare must be worn out. One camera was on this morning and the foal was asleep and the mare looked very tired indeed.

Think we all should leave messages to this woman? Would that be rude or would that be educational to the farm owner?

 

[Indy's mom]

I did not see that on MareStare - thank goodness. Deplorable behavior especially the smoking in the barn!!!
Painscape Farm comes up on my browser and there is a My Space link, a Guestbook on the main website. More importantly, there is a message board on Mare Stare where you can leave a message to these people letting them know of the danger of FIRE if nothing else.

Poor mare must be worn out. One camera was on this morning and the foal was asleep and the mare looked very tired indeed.

Think we all should leave messages to this woman? Would that be rude or would that be educational to the farm owner?

I was thinking the same thing! Leaving messages about the smoking at least!

~Tammy

 

[Maple Hollow Farm]

This is truly dispicable but I would suggest to not attack a message board just have a few people state some general advice in a more kind fashion. They will be more likely to listen if you put it in a way that doesnt sound too...mean I guess is a word that would work. Just say that you think they should be aware of the health hazards to the mare and foal and even to themselves if they were close to starting a fire.

 

[LittleRibbie]

I didnt see the "show" but I think writing a note and congratulating them on their new arrival and mentioning the dangers of smoking in or around any barn is dangerous, would in no way, be out of line. Were there adults in the stall or were these young kids w/no parent supervision......maybe Mom would like to know what her kids are up to when no one is around. They may have not even been aware there was a camera in there.

 

[CyndiD]

I was up late last night, so watched some of it and then after that, I couldn`t sleep at all!!

I do think a little education is in order...

I do know they were well aware they were on camera..waving at it now and then and holding up signs...I really felt bad for that little mare and her baby...

 

[Indy's mom]

This is truly dispicable but I would suggest to not attack a message board just have a few people state some general advice in a more kind fashion. They will be more likely to listen if you put it in a way that doesnt sound too...mean I guess is a word that would work. Just say that you think they should be aware of the health hazards to the mare and foal and even to themselves if they were close to starting a fire.

I agree 100%! As much as I would like to "go off" on them, I know that would be the wrong way to try to get them to listen! (BUT, I do not feel they will anyway!

) Worth a try though for the mare and foals sake!

~Tammy

 

[Indy's mom]

God no, LittleRibbie, they were all ADULTS!!!! The kids didn't come in until around 1:30 am and then they too all took turns tormenting the mare and foal! I can't believe no one got kicked or bitten! The mare was so stressed, she would pin her ears and spin around to kick and they would all laugh, I mean fall on the floor rolling and laughing! Yup, adults!

About 2 hours into me watching (yes, I have no life while I'm here watching my own foal cam! lol) it must have dawned on someone that the foal hadn't nursed so one of them swept up the filly, with ONE arm, and tried stuffing her under the mare, the "attendant" had a lit ciggarette in the hand that was cradling the foals face!!!!

~Tammy

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Definitely NOT what we'd do here, that's for sure. I'm not making an excuse for people acting like idiots that kind of way, but I do have to admit that one reason I haven't jumped into making my cameras public is I don't want people to make judgements on my horsemanship (which I'm proud of, not trying to "hide" anything) and I also don't really want people seeing how I go out in the stalls in my PJ's or hearing me talk silly or whatever to the horses OR to hear H and I bickering if something gets stressful (23 years and love each other so much, but boy can we fuss and then be fine 5 minutes later!)...

Oi, Jill, I am just DYING to see you being silly all over the mare and foal.

Especially in your PJs.

Oh, come on, you old spoilsport, give us a peak at the sekrit life of Jill!!!

 

[minimomNC]

My suggestion is if any of you want to post some helpful tips for these people about their actions, only the people that actually saw what happened should do that. If you didn't see it, how do you know what really happened since your only hearing about it second hand. I don't agree with what happened but how do I know what to say to them since I didn't see it myself. There seems to be enough people that did see all of it to be able to offer help. Just my opinion. Seems that sometimes to many posts drive people away rather than help them. Plus no matter how wrong you feel they were, its their barn and they can do as they please. So mild suggestions might work better than an over load of being told you did it all wrong.

And Jill, same reason I don't have cameras in my barn LOL. Although my mare is on MareStare, she is at another farm.

 

[~Lisa~]

Definitely NOT what we'd do here, that's for sure. I'm not making an excuse for people acting like idiots that kind of way, but I do have to admit that one reason I haven't jumped into making my cameras public is I don't want people to make judgements on my horsemanship (which I'm proud of, not trying to "hide" anything) and I also don't really want people seeing how I go out in the stalls in my PJ's or hearing me talk silly or whatever to the horses OR to hear H and I bickering if something gets stressful (23 years and love each other so much, but boy can we fuss and then be fine 5 minutes later!)...

I am very against smoking in a barn as a child I saw a barn burn down and will never forget the screams of the horses the fire dept could not get out

I totally agree. I would not want to be seen in my frenzy to run out the barn could be quite scary for those watching LOL

These cameras are a great marketing tool making many feel connected to your foals before they are even born but they do come with the reality of a lot of judgements from those watching.

 

[dreaminmini]

I had to check the baby this morning. Still wobbly, not sure if she is nursing properly, doesn't seem to do it for any length of time. (I'm not sure as I am not a breeder or have a lot of experience with foals.) Hopefully someone can put my mind at ease. Did the little one ever poop? I had to go to bed at 4am, my eyes were going funky.

 

[Joanne]

We tell anyone lucky enough to be here at a birth to act as if they are in a library and talk softly and quiently, not to get excited as the mare will pick up on that.

During foaling season guests are given a run down on what to expect if they see a foaling and what we expect of them.

Our barn, our rules. Everyone has been great at complying. Even the kids. You know how excited they can be, but they seem ready to obey in order to see the miracle of a birth.

Smoking on our ranch has never been an option.

Perhaps in this case it is a good thing they have mare stare and if they get some bad press they will change their ways for the benefit of the horses. If the people that saw this can give them some constructive feedback they may save the owners burning down their barn and all the horses dying. I think you should see this as an opportunity to do some good.

 

[tagalong]

I would not try to "educate" them in any way. They knew the camera was on. This is what they do for foaling. The website says they are specialized. You telling them it is wrong will only make them defensive - no matter how idiotic they looked. The worst thing I saw was suddenly the person in charge (I only figured that out from the website) decided she had to do something to the foal - but I did not see her treat a navel or anything - just chase the foal down in the stall while everyone carried on, grab it out of camera range, carry it back to the crowd, lay it down in the straw and maybe do some kind of rudimentary imprinting - which lasted about 2 minutes. All this time the mare was frantic and spinning, ears pinned.

To be fair - you could not tell if that foal had pooped or not on that camera - they don't all adopt an exaggerated pose and then puuuuush. I saw the foal nursing when I first tuned in - about 12:45 their time.

It reminds me of another mini foaling I attended - not on purpose - the foal arrived while I was visiting. As soon as the foal arrived, he was dragged out of the small stall into the aisle to get his navel done and pose for pictures while the poor mare struggled to her feet, wobbly and exhausted and calling for her baby. It was a 3 ring circus complete with kids running around and loud voices. Complete bedlam. And very stressful for the mare and foal.

I like my nice quiet foaling stall, thanks.

 

[Basketmiss]

All I can say is I am glad I didnt see any of this ...

I dont know if I could have held my tongue!

I realize it is their horses, their barn, and all BUT that is freaking ridiculous.

Yes when you act ignorantly you WILL be judged. The unsafety of that situation is DEPLORABLE!!!!!.

So what if the whole world got to see their barn burn , horses die, people die, would that have been better? Not in my opinion- You know the saying "You cant fix stupid" !!

 

[shelly]

All I can say is I am glad I didnt see any of this ...

I dont know if I could have held my tongue!

I realize it is their horses, their barn, and all BUT that is freaking ridiculous.

Yes when you act ignorantly you WILL be judged. The unsafety of that situation is DEPLORABLE!!!!!.

So what if the whole world got to see their barn burn , horses die, people die, would that have been better? Not in my opinion- You know the saying "You cant fix stupid" !!

MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY!!!!!!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE THE STUPIDITY OF SOME PEOPLE

I really hope the little foal is doing ok and the mare has been able to bond and relax!!!!

 

[REO]

I was the first one to see this post. And I did not go and look because it would have made me TOO ANGRY. I'm glad now I didn't see it because I'm shaking mad just reading about it!

We don't leave foals alone until I KNOW that they are pooping and can get up and nurse on their own time after time. I watch them like a hawk to make sure they're ok. My mares don't mind at all. I sit and watch and only help if they need it. They love and trust me.

They stand still while Karrel sits there helpling the baby latch on to nurse. I'm not sure he wants to be on camera in his jammies (or lack of them) LOL

 

[backwoodsnanny]

I did watch until I couldnt anymore and there was no lack of attendees at least 3 to 9 for at least 2 hours after baby came but as another poster said the emphasis was on getting pictures NOT on making sure baby nursed or pooped nor did I see the naval dipped but probably it was. The smoking in the stall was alarming at best.

 

[Little Indian Acres]

Definitely NOT what we'd do here, that's for sure. I'm not making an excuse for people acting like idiots that kind of way, but I do have to admit that one reason I haven't jumped into making my cameras public is I don't want people to make judgements on my horsemanship (which I'm proud of, not trying to "hide" anything) and I also don't really want people seeing how I go out in the stalls in my PJ's or hearing me talk silly or whatever to the horses OR to hear H and I bickering if something gets stressful (23 years and love each other so much, but boy can we fuss and then be fine 5 minutes later!)...

I am with you on this one, Jill. It is bad enough that all the Amish around here have seen me out feeding in my PJs when they show up at random to help out, but I don't need it out there for the whole world to see. Already having to buy a little less obvious pajama pants sets since the farm is now split onto two sides of the road.

I did not see this video and am not saying it was a good idea to have so much going on around the foal. And I am definitely again smoking in a barn, then again I have 26 acres and no one better smoke anywhere on it. But, if a person wanted to they could probably find "something" wrong with almost every camera going. Mare not groomed the way they prefer, different bedding than they suggest, stall walls not high enough, stall walls too high and obstructing view, water bucket too small, water buck too big (foal might get in it), hay does not look great, too much hay, it goes on. Anyway, the point I am making is that people really should just enjoy the marestare and make phone calls when needed etc. rather than posting negativity on here. I think it will make farms more likely to use the system.

 

[Relic]

Well l didn't see any of it so really shouldn't say anything but SMOKING in a stall with a brand new foal is a GREAT BIG NO NO...

 

[shadowpaints]

yes it was a horrible sight to see... too many people.. definatly not a thing that would happen here! when i have a mare due.. i pourposly tell everyone i know to please not come over till the foal is a week old.. although i do make it a point to call grama, and my mom! LOL i try to have one other person on hand JUST incase . and i like to have ONE young 4h-er that has never seen a foaling.. BUT UGH i was upset.. but i just sat and watched... SIGH.

And as a smoker myself, i was incredibly upset with the smoking in the STALL! we are building a barn this year and NO ONE is gonna be allowed to smoke any where near it!! the thought flashed through my mind that maybe they didnt know any better.. but come on!!

the sad thing is, its their barn their rulse and most likely, if anyone says anything it will tick them off.. UGH

but there is my 2 cents!

im done now! LOL