New Foal Questions

[clpclop]

Thanks for all the info on new foals. I have other questions that might help other newbies.....My mare is generous and not overly protective of her filly around people or my dogs. What about another mare due very soon. They are stable mates and Tacoma, my mare who foaled on Thursday, has anxiety when she can't see my other mare Hopi. Would it be okay to introduce the foal to Hopi in the same stall or in the turnout area? Hopi has been in the next stall the entire time and has sniffed the foal with no incident. Only curiosity.

Also...is it normal for the foal to usually run away from us? Sometimes we will stand there and she will approach us. What is the best way to get the foal to accept us. I don't want to create a scardy-cat, just a loving baby.

Thanks for everyones help here. It's truly appreciated!!!

Karen

 

[Buckskin gal]

I have never had a problem of introducing a new foal to other mares. I have found they do not do any harm at all. As for the baby running away from you....it just isn't sure of you yet but it will approach you saying I am interested in you. Give it a couple days of accepting and it will be in your lap. Mary

Thanks for all the info on new foals. I have other questions that might help other newbies.....My mare is generous and not overly protective of her filly around people or my dogs. What about another mare due very soon. They are stable mates and Tacoma, my mare who foaled on Thursday, has anxiety when she can't see my other mare Hopi. Would it be okay to introduce the foal to Hopi in the same stall or in the turnout area? Hopi has been in the next stall the entire time and has sniffed the foal with no incident. Only curiosity.

Also...is it normal for the foal to usually run away from us? Sometimes we will stand there and she will approach us. What is the best way to get the foal to accept us. I don't want to create a scardy-cat, just a loving baby.

Thanks for everyones help here. It's truly appreciated!!!

Karen

 

[minih]

We have never had a problem introducing a new baby that has it's legs under them good, back in with the rest of the pregger mares. The turnout area would be better, give them plenty of room to stay away from each other if wanted and you do not want the baby to get in a small area when the a scuffle should happen between the two mares. The new mom may be acceptable to you and your dogs, but when it comes to another mare her protective instincts will kick in and she will let the other mare know she is in charge of the little one.

I would let the foal come up to you and gradually put more hands on it until it is running up asking for pets. The more you chase one around the only thing they learn is to run away.

 

[Mona]

I would NEVER put the mare and foal in with another mare! It would be OK in a pen, but the dam WILL be protective, and friends or not, she will likely go after her a few times just to set the boundary lines and show her not to mess with her new baby.

 

[Relic]

l guess our mares are weird but they go out alone with the foal for the first few days l'm always worried a foal can get kicked if in the wrong place. After all the other mares have sniffed and looked over the foal through the fence for a few days it's not a big deal to them anymore. Our foals also get shy after about a week they start to hide around and behind mom so you can't get close enough to touch anymore but after a while they come around again and you have to pretty well shake them of your leg to get rid of them. :lol:

 

[Anne ABC]

We have never had a problem returning a mare and foal to the pasture and herd she was with prior to foaling. In fact most of the time after a week or so it appears some of the other mares sort of have babysitting duty at times. I will look out in the pasture and 2 or 3 foals will be under the watchful eye of one mare and the Mothers are off at a distance grazing in another area. If you watch for a while the Mothers will eventually go and collect their foals or the foal will finally go running and return to Mom. I really enjoy watching them this time of the year. The babies do all kinds of cute tricks.

 

[Sunraye Miniatures]

We avoid putting mommas and babies out together with other horses, but will put them together with other mommas and babies. They need to know their herding instincts and they can't learn that with just momma by themselves. Other mommas together can teach them that. Never had a problem.

As for the foal not trusting you thats perfectly normal for a baby. I just put a halter on the little sucker and just rub all over it until they stop pulling on the lead and learns its ok. Usually takes 5 min. and I just let them go. Also same thing when taking off the halter. Once the release the pressure from unbuckling the halter take the halter off. It learns to accept the halter at an early age. No leading but just accept the halter pressure of it.

 

[clpclop]

Thanks for all the opinions and suggestions. You all are great. I did go ahead and let mommy & baby in the turn-out with my other pregnant mare and all was fine. There were a few confusing moments when baby thought Hopi was her mommy and wanted to nurse. Hopi just lifted her leg and pushed her away gently. I took your suggestion regarding just letting her come to me and it worked! I just sat there and she came to me sniffing me all over and trying to suck on my elbow. I feel much better now. Gosh...I'm so in love with this little girl!!

: Do you all just fall in love???

 

[minih]

Do you all just fall in love???

Everytime

: :bgrin