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Discussion on New Foal Turn Out and Boarding in DC Area Question
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Member:
aannk
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 9, 2008 - 10:47 am:
I have my baby Dillon and mommy in a repro farm in Amissville. They don't turn out the babies and mothers with other babies and mothers for liability reasons. I don't think that is healthy for my baby's mental development. I understand why they do it, but I want a happy healthy foal. They also have only been turning him out for an hour a day, and his rear pasterns have not relaxed as much as his front yet. He is only 2 weeks old, and the weather has been pretty bad, but I feel they should be out more than in.
Anyway, that is how they run things, and I am not sure I want to keep baby there until weaning. So, I am looking for a place that will handle baby on a daily basis, allow safe group turnout, have a vet on call, and help with manners and eventual weaning.
Any suggestions? I live about 20 miles south of Annapolis on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. I do NOT have room at my place.
A few places I already have e mails sent to are Fresh Meadows and At Last Farm. As cloose as possible is the best so I can see him more often. My other horse is in Davidsonville, but where he is is NOT appropriate for a developing baby.
The mare is leased from the repro place (embryo transfer recipient), so she would be going back at weaning. I will want the baby to stay where he is until the Dutch keuring in September, then he will be going to a "manners class" (initial ground training with a trainer I highly respect) then will go to his new home, which I also need to pick out.
Also, I wonder in general how much he should be out and when he could go on full time turn out. Also, when should he be introduced to a herd?
I had my last foal turned out just with mommy until he was gelded at 3 months, then they went out with a small group.
TIA,
Alicia
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Member:
aannk
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Posted on Monday, Apr 14, 2008 - 1:37 pm:
Bouncing this to bring it back up in case folks missed it!
Alicia
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Apr 14, 2008 - 5:58 pm:
Hi Alicia all my foals were born in the pasture with their "herd" so they were out 24/7 from day one.
As far as your baby is concerned I think I would see if he could be turned out next to the herd he will be with (of course the fencing must be safe). I'm a big believer in the more turnout the better for the foals.....mentally and physically. I would then add a horse to the foal and mothers pen one by one and see how it goes. Mares are pretty good at protecting their foals and I have never seen a horse go meanly at a foal....but I'm sure there are exceptions! Adding the herd one by one will let you know if there is going to be a problem.
Good Luck
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 17, 2008 - 8:02 am:
Hi Alicia, I'm sorry I don't have any farm suggestions for you. I'm not familiar with the area.
I did want to say that I would be very careful turning mare and foal out in any herd--even one that they used to be in. My mare went after her gelding pasturemate, big time, when I turned them out after foaling. I really thought she would kill him before we could get them separated.
I'd also worry about how other horses will react to your foal.
I think at weaning there is still plenty of time to learn to be a horse. I do agree that if your weather is decent, they should be out as much as possible.
Good luck, I remember seeing his picture and he is a beauty.
Erika
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Member:
aannk
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Posted on Friday, Apr 18, 2008 - 7:55 pm:
Erika,
The place I have chosen raises TB babies and mothers. They have several hundred acres and have been doing this for over 30 years. They keep stallions on the premisis and are known for breaking TBs to be easy to handle for the track. I am confident they know what they are doing.
Thanks for the concern, however 
Alicia
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Member:
aannk
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Posted on Friday, Apr 18, 2008 - 7:56 pm:
Diane,
Sorry, forgot to respond to you! Yes, that is what they plan on doing.
Thanks!
Alicia
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