| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Red Rum |
Posted - 04 Sep 2011 : 7:51:00 PM
Quick question - Do you leave this years foals (April/May born) with coats and good shelter out in the paddocks
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| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Red Rum |
Posted - 05 Sep 2011 : 10:43:59 PM
Many thanks for your replies |
| Mrs Vlacq |
Posted - 05 Sep 2011 : 3:53:44 PM
Our foals in winter as it gets cold and windy in these ere Welsh hills. I also believe that they need their feed to grow and develop as well as keeping warm and they just don't manage to get so much bulk down as adults. ours have a' play time' each day, sometimes short and sweet if its really bad weather, they are rugged and fed ad lib haylage and two small concentrate and sugar beet feeds each day. They sleep a lot too and appreciate a warm bed. The growing stage of foals to yearlings is so important and can never be 'caught up' on. Their second winter they are out, rugged, fed and have ad lib haylage. To date this system has acheived well grown healthy youngsters that reach their height potential and have good constitutions. |
| Vik1 |
Posted - 05 Sep 2011 : 3:23:41 PM
The foals on my yard come in for the 1st winter. One last year did stay out as she was still with mum and mum wont stable. She was a welsh a and grew a mammoth coat so she was fine. Storm was stabled his first winter and last year. This will be his first winter out as a 2yo. Not sure how hel do, he loves his home comforts. I plan to bring him in tho about new year after Ive finished uni and get him ready for the spring shows. Hes already looking not too happy so fingers crossed I can keep him out til then. He's still naked atm but he will be getting rugged so hopefully thatl help. |
| Zarena |
Posted - 05 Sep 2011 : 1:12:11 PM
Mine are out day and night at the moment but come in twice a day with their dams for a feed. They all stay in the odd night if it is very wet. They don't mind cold; it's wet that upsets them. After weaning they will be in at night for the winter. |
| barbara.gregory |
Posted - 05 Sep 2011 : 10:38:26 AM
Mine are always in at night but out during the day unless they are late foals or the weather is really bad. I don't wean them so they have a nice warm drink from mum every hour or so and are rugged.
Barbara |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 05 Sep 2011 : 08:35:17 AM
Regardless of the welfare reasons for bringing foals in at night for the winter I like mine to come in. The reason is that they benefit from establishing a routine, extra handling and learning to be inside. It is important to get them out as early in the morning as you can and keep them out as late as you can.
I appreciate that the handling will get done wether in or out. |
| sab2 |
Posted - 04 Sep 2011 : 9:02:57 PM
I normally have the foals in at night for the first winter then leave them out the following winter , they are all rugged and they also have a large shed to go in which is bedded down with straw, ad lib haylage and fed twice a day, i was wondering about leaving this years foal out this year , i suppose it will depend on the weather, but according to the long term forecast its going to be nasty  |
| delly-b |
Posted - 04 Sep 2011 : 8:46:47 PM
Mine will be staying out rugged, but we do have 2 shelters, one which is huge and bedded down with shavings. If it gets really bad I'll think about bringing her in then. My four live in a herd together so they are happy together. |
| complete novice |
Posted - 04 Sep 2011 : 8:28:39 PM
Though I don't have any foals, my baby is 14, I have been following this thread on another forum, I don't know if it will be of any interest.
http://ihdg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=gh11&action=display&thread=117293 |
| Kharidian |
Posted - 04 Sep 2011 : 8:19:23 PM
Do you mean leaving them out 24/7 now, or over winter?
I like foals and yearlings to come in at night over winter, when it's too cold/wet for them to lay down in the paddocks. This time of year I'd have them out 24/7 and, assuming you'll wean in October/November(?) start having them in overnight from then until spring.
Caryn |
