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Ellas room maid
Bronze Member
 England
85 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Aug 2010 : 09:29:27 AM
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My hand reared foal - 13 weeks old loves people but is afraid of other horses. I've tried introducing a quiet mare in the menage, first of all with the mare on a line but all she does is tank off in the opposite direction! Another friend loaned me a miniature spotted yearling - much smaller than Lexi, all went well and they even shared a stable for a week but the yearling started guarding the hay and attacking the foal with teeth out so he had to go back. I don't have access to a small paddock, the field is huge and as it's a livery yard there are 17 horses in it.
I'm at a loss what to do next - any advice would be gratefully accepted as I know the longer it goes on the harder it gets. I've been trying for the last 8 weeks.
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Angie
West Yorkshire |
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georgiauk
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2605 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2010 : 09:45:06 AM
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| What about contacting some of the larger studs who may have a few foals of a similar age, perhaps she could live with them for a while and re-learn horse language 8) |
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BabsR
Platinum Member
England
2790 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2010 : 09:58:05 AM
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You may be better off with an old welsh A or shetland mare who has retired from breeding. They usually make very good foster Nannies.
Introduced carefully together, feel sure the old mare would not guard the food. If you feed in the menage...putting equal amounts of food in each manger, then if the mare sees off the foal, foal will quickly learn to go to the other manger
Obviously, if YO would allow you to electric fence off a small grass paddock, then it may be easier to get foal and companion joined up when just on grass. You could then bring the foal out for feeding, before returning it back into the paddock. Time and patience are the key but feel sure you would be able to get loan of an older welsh or shetland nanny to look after your foal.
Your livery situation is far from ideal and you certainly cannot introduce an orphan foal in a field of 17 horses, probably most of which are shod...an accident waiting to happen!!
Probably your best bet would be to move your foal to a stud, where there will be other foals to play with. We have an old Welsh Mare who`s job it is to look after the weaned foals and she is worth her weight in gold. May well be the cheaper option in the long run, and I would recommend you take that course of action for your foal`s sake and your peace of mind.
Good luck
Babs
www.SunrayAngloArabianStud.co.uk |
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Edited by - BabsR on 29 Aug 2010 10:11:01 AM |
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ella
Gold Member
United Kingdom
786 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2010 : 6:04:12 PM
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Where would she be turned out if still with mum?
If there's only 1 field on your yard you'll surely have to find somewhere else for her to live? She needs to be out running & playing for hours each day to form healthy, strong joints & feet, but no way I'd want her in with 17 mixed liveries.
If you can pair her up with another weaned foal or an older mare that's raised a few foals herself they should get along fine. It can be easier in a field with plenty of grass so there's no competition for resources. Bear in mind though, if you foal didn't learn any horse manners from her mum, you WILL see her get bitten a good few times as the other horse teaches her herd rules. Taking the 2 for long, in-hand walks together will also help them to bond in safety.
Didn't Lexi seem to miss the mini when he left?
Best of luck, hope you can sort something out very soon. |
   
"If an 'alternative treatment' has reliable effect it becomes classified simply as MEDICINE" D.B. |
Edited by - ella on 29 Aug 2010 6:07:34 PM |
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linda
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1772 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2010 : 9:44:21 PM
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Hi Angie,
If you want you can bring your filly to me, she can go out with Willow (our nanny mare) she also looked after Ella when she was a weaned foal, she is so sweet with them and teaches them manners and how to groom etc, she is looking after two other foals too at the moment,
All I ask, is that you pay for her hard feed & shavings!
Lx |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2010 : 10:35:16 PM
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| Donkeys can be really helpful at a time like this as they are less reactive and more tolerant. I have a yearling who might be a good companion, or a foal I am about to wean. let me know if I can help. |
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Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2010 : 09:18:36 AM
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What a wonderful offer from Linda . The perfect solution. Looking forward to hearing this foal is happy with her pals soon. As Ella says, there is no way she could stay at your current yard anyway, with only one shared field for turnout. |
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mogwai
Platinum Member
England
2717 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2010 : 09:21:25 AM
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| What a fantastic offer! Sounds like the perfect solution! |
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Ellas room maid
Bronze Member
England
85 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2010 : 09:50:56 AM
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Hi Linda just read your post, bowled over by your very kind offer. I would just like to say arabian horse owners and breeders have hearts of gold once again highlighting the fact that when you buy one of their babies their support and interest never fades.
Well done Linda for you help - you are a DIAMOND. |
Angie
West Yorkshire |
Edited by - Ellas room maid on 30 Aug 2010 09:54:38 AM |
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carole ferguson
Silver Member
United Kingdom
457 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2010 : 10:08:12 AM
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Perfect solution from Linda.
I have an ancient welsh mare (the grey in my sig pics) - who always takes on the weaned foals. She is usually turned out with the mare and foal a few weeks before I start to wean as all my girls adore her - then the foal knows her before she is fully weaned.She also is our travelling companion with youngsters - and she went along to Bicton with my arab mare Isharaa this year - as it was the first time Ishy had been anywhere. |
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BabsR
Platinum Member
England
2790 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2010 : 11:32:41 AM
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Fantastic.....the perfect solution. Peace of mind for you knowing your little lady now has a chance to learn to be a horse, with horsey friends who will educate her in horsey ways. Wonderful offer  Happy Ella and Happy Ella`s Room Maid
The future now is bright....good luck and enjoy watching your baby`s progress at equine school...no longer a lonely little orphan girl.
Fun and games all the way, I do so love happy endings
Babs
www.SunrayAngloArabianStud.co.uk |
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Edited by - BabsR on 30 Aug 2010 11:35:19 AM |
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linda
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1772 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2010 : 4:44:19 PM
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You are welcome Angie, you just might not get her back though!
Just call me when your a ready to bring her,
Lx |
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JESSIEMAE
Gold Member
England
872 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2010 : 5:01:28 PM
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What a generous, helpful offer from Linda, looking forward to seeing pictures when she is settled
Liza |
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LadyLuck1
Gold Member
England
730 Posts |
Posted - 30 Aug 2010 : 6:33:57 PM
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I think its great that Arab owners are there to help and support each other when its needed.
Mary
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Advice Needed
