Foal Concerns?

Question

I think I am going to wait until the end of august to breed. Well my first foal so if any other advice please tell.. I am just concerned. The one foal was taken away at 2 months old because of stupid owner. The lady just wanted rid of the foal. I think my mare trust me 100%.. But how do I know if she will let me near the foal let alone the barn staff. She is weary of new people to being with so will having a foal make her difficult? Also When can I start riding my mare again and what should be done with foal? I have an indoor with round pen in center was thinking once the foal is born I would put the baby in the round pen while I ride my mare in the arena around it?? Also when should I start like working with baby as far as haltering? I have heard put halter on day after birth. I have heard wait till its a couple weeks old. I am buying a book by John Lyons Brining up Baby. I am at a Training barn with an amazing John Lyons Certified Trainer so he will help but still need help..

Answer 1

You don't know if the mare will let you near the foal.  I've seen VERY gentle mares turn into 'demon spawn' and attack their human owners.  You need to be experienced in 'reading' the mare before you ever enter the stall.  If you don't know...do not do it by yourself.  Have someone else there with you.  That way...if she becomes aggressive and over protective...you will have help.  Some mares don't care at all.  Take your time and don't get hurt.  Every mare is different.

I get back on my mare...ONLY to move her from pasture to pasture...bareback with a halter...after the foal is about a month old.  Separating momma and foal is not a good idea.  Foal will yell and could hurt itself trying to get back to momma.  Momma IS NOT going to be listening to you because of foal.  If you want to 'work' with mom...I've waited until the foal was about 4 months old.  Then it is strong enough to keep up and follow us around the fields or arenas.  But this is ONLY for walking and trotting.  I don't lope when I have a baby following.  And I don't 'pony' or lead the foal.  I leave it free.  Once the foal follows...AND IT IS HALTER BROKE TO LEAD...I will gradually introduce 'ponying.'

Many won't work or ride the mare at all until the foal is weaned.  You'll get many different opinions about this.  This happens to be what I do.

I like to put the halter on the day after birthing.  I don't do anything with it...no pulling or pressure or nothing.  Just let them wear it around for awhile...like 10 minutes the first time.  Then remove it.  I may do this everytime I go to see the new foal.  Just to get them used to being haltered.  This IS NOT the time to try and 'lead' them.  I start that when they are about 2 weeks old with a buttrope for pressure...not pulling on the face of the foal.

I like John Lyons....

Answer 2

I just wouldnt breed her. Then all your problems will be answered. Breeding is best let up to professionals with truely amazing horses.

John Lyons always stuck me as kinda strange but whatever....

Answer 3

Why do you want to breed her if you still want to ride her?

Just curious.

Answer 4

Ugh.  I'm sorry, but if you don't know these basic things, you shouldn't be breeding.  Simple as that.  YES I know that everyone has to start somewhere, even the bigtime breeders, but most of those people researched many years before getting into anything.  Read some books, spend time with other babies if you can.  They are a LOT of work.  Not that it isn't satisfying to work with them, but...you'll be doing more harm than good if you don't even know the basics.

Answer 5

I would give the foal a few days to get to know her mother, then just come in and start petting the mother, the foal will get very curious=) Another approch is to tie the mare up in her stall, and just rub the baby gently(dont slap her) all over. We halter break our hroses as soon as the lwet us touch them. John Lyons is an excellent trainer!!

Answer 6

with the experience I have had with babies, i have a couple things that will help you.

i have worked with two babies, both colts, one i bought at 3 months with his mother, and the other was born on my farm.

the one that we had 3 months after he was born was hard to handle from day one, he did not want to have a halter put on or lead.  As he got older he became more and more of a pain to work with, he didn't want to listen very well, and did not respect any handler at all.

the 2nd baby, and the one I still have, is just turning a year old in august, i handled him from day one, putting a halter on him, leading him, and even letting him come in the arena while i exercise his mother.  to this day her is wonderful to work around, and even easier now that i just got him gelded, we have been able to lead him with a saddle just sitting on his back (no weight, just for the experience for training when he is big enough.)  he lunges, self-loads on the trailer, and comes running out of the herd when we call him.  i think handling atleast 3+ times a week really helps the baby, and it should be done from day one.

as for the mother, my paint was the same way, and really only liked when i worked with her, but she was a great mother, and she allowed even my little cousins to pet her and her baby, i think she turned out a lot calmer after she had her baby, and turned into a lot better horse.  i even ponied him on trail rides with her, and de-spooked him at 3 months old.

i hope this helps you.