Why is it not ok for them to do this, but then you tell them to do that?

Question

Ok, usally when someone wants to have there mare have a baby for whatever reason. Instead of telling them just to not do it overall, they tell them to adopt a foal. And that they can get one up to a day to a week old.

If they cant handle a pregnant mare, then how are they going to handle a newborn foal, without a mom?

Yes i think its great that people adopt a foal. But for most people they should either not breed and skip the idea completly. Or adopt a yearling.

Foals are diffucult, and people are saying or dont breed just adopt a new born foal.

To me that doesnt make much sense.

So if someone could tell me why people are saying that they should adopt a new born foal, instead of a yearling, that would be awesome.

Answer 1

I'm with Lusi on this - it's not the care of a pregnant mare and all that is involved it's more a matter of - look there are all these unwanted foals -why not give one of those a home instead ?

Personally I wouldn't want either, foals are cute and all that but they are a pain in the butt in so many ways. I'll leave foal care to people who have more knowledge, time and money than I do.

Answer 2

I think they only say adopt is so not another faol is here, when theres some out there that need adopting.

Answer 3

a yearling in a rescue has had bad experience with humans, and remembers it.

a foal who is only a week or so doesnt remember being mistreated, and you can raise it to have a better life and like humans.

only experienced horse people should work with a yearling.

the reason people say to adopt and not breed is because if you breed, your adding to the over populated horse population. by adopting, you are limiting the horse population in shelters.  

Answer 4

alot of people realize that there are alot of foals without a place to be loved... get them set before you add more to the world.

also.. i wouldnt adopt a yearling over a weanling or younger, they are young still, but they may have already had some bad training, and i would rather put the ground work down myself so i know they have a solid base to build off.

Answer 5

Just to venture a guess, here goes.   It is probably not about adopting "either - or" that is the point.  There are so many "thrown away" horses in recent times that it is beyond sad and unforgivable.  If you can save a horse, whether it is a foal or a yearling is really irrelevant - just do what you can.  While it would be more difficult to hand raise a baby, some people want to influence their horse at as early an age as possible, and I totally understand that.  Even yearlings can have negative baggage, unfortunately.  I agree with you that there is too much backyard breeding and breeding in general.  It is reprehensible to destroy a horse because it is the wrong color or some other senseless reason.  

Answer 6

Never heard of anyone adopting a newborn without the mom unless it is an orphan even then chances are a rescue would keep it until it is eating strictly solids.  But, ya, I too think people say stuff like that because of an overpopulation issue.  But my mare just had a colt this spring and I would not trade him for thw world!

Answer 7

I agree in that a person who is unable to handle a mare in foal is probably going to be even less able to handle a foal.  I think that generally when a person advises another to "adopt a foal, don't breed one!" what they are trying to say is that there are plenty of foals out there already that need homes.

I think this is more of an "overpopulation is a problem" thing than "not enough people know how to properly take care of mares and foals" thing.  Just my perception of it.

Answer 8

its not the fact they cant raise it

Answer 9

I agree with you - from the standpoint that if a person is not ready for a young foal, it makes no difference whether they adopt or foal one of their own.

However, people might be of the mind that there are many foals out there in need of good homes.  If one is prepared to raise a foal, it's maybe better to adopt one already in need of saving vs. foaling another.

It's like obtaining a dog.  Many people say rather than to purchase a high-cost purebred dog to adopt one from a shelter.  The reason is that many shelter dogs are the result of indiscrimminate breeding - high volume of animals to achieve a select few of quality - the remainder of less desirable animals ends up in a shelter.

So if you can help out a foal, why not find one truly in need of help or saving due to neglect or abuse and save it from an awful fate?  With the ability to breed to horses with good bloodlines due to AI and such, chances are higher now than ever that such a foal may have some pretty great bloodlines and be of good quality but have been born into a poor situation.

This is why I think people would suggest adopting rather than foaling.