#872114 - 03/05/13 04:34 PM
Re: .EDIT... Added first day out in field
[Re: Winfrey]
|
Hints & Glitches forum Moderator
Adept Boomer
Registered: 06/03/05
Posts: 13110
Loc: In Missouri near St. Louis
|
That must have been quite an experience that first night! We also do not help the foals up or to find how to get milk - they do that all by themselves. It takes a little longer than WE would like, that's for sure. I always watched from another corner of the barn and it was so hard not to interfere! We definitely touch them or allow them to sniff us so we are familiar to them, but we keep the human interaction to a minimum for at least a couple of weeks. We don't even allow other mares with foals to be turned out together as the mares sometimes will nip at foals that are not theirs. It was usually at about 4 weeks old that I started turning out mares and foals together and that was after allowing them to be out at the same time with a paddock fence between them for a day or two.
Everyone has a different way of doing things. It won't be long before he will be stretching those long legs and tearing around like mad. I always was amazed at how they never got all those legs tangled up!
_________________________
In my PC corner for the winter, gaming, knitting and reading.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#872191 - 03/06/13 05:11 AM
Re: .EDIT... Added first day out in field
[Re: Winfrey]
|
True Blue Boomer
Registered: 11/21/04
Posts: 22653
Loc: Marlborough USA
|
Pictures were perfect the 2nd time around Winfrey!
_________________________
Gerry
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#872229 - 03/06/13 09:24 AM
Re: .EDIT... Added first day out in field
[Re: Winfrey]
|
Hints & Glitches forum Moderator
Adept Boomer
Registered: 06/03/05
Posts: 13110
Loc: In Missouri near St. Louis
|
Now that I'm home on my computer, they are perfect for me too! I don't know why they wouldn't work on my mom's computer. I love the half-moon mark on his forehead.
_________________________
In my PC corner for the winter, gaming, knitting and reading.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#872337 - 03/06/13 09:50 PM
Re: .EDIT... Added first day out in field
[Re: Winfrey]
|
Addicted Boomer
Registered: 03/12/06
Posts: 3281
Loc: Oregon
|
There are many different ways of training and this sounds like they are "imprinting" the foal. Some of his very first memories will be with him the longest...makes sense, actually. I am not judging either way. I always did a little of both. It Is very important for baby and Mum to bond but it doesn't hurt to play with the little one soon...also can depend on the Mum. One of my mares who really taught me so much made sure I didn't intervene with the filly until she was on her feet. She then had to find the milk bar on her own. After that Mum didn't mind how much I interacted with her baby and the baby knew and loved both me and her Mum. She never really knew she was a horse...always thought she was a big, red dog... Those were some good times. Thanks again Winfrey.
_________________________
Lotus Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#872349 - 03/06/13 11:11 PM
Re: .EDIT... Added first day out in field
[Re: Winfrey]
|
Hints & Glitches forum Moderator
Adept Boomer
Registered: 06/03/05
Posts: 13110
Loc: In Missouri near St. Louis
|
I agree there is no one right way and everyone has their own way of doing things. The one time I had to interfere was when one of my mares rejected the foal. It's very rare, but it does happen. I was totally hands on when I had to force the mare to nurse the filly for 48 hours for the colostrum. Then I became "mom!" It isn't something I would ever care to do again, but it sure was interesting!
_________________________
In my PC corner for the winter, gaming, knitting and reading.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#872409 - 03/07/13 08:20 AM
Re: .EDIT... Added first day out in field
[Re: Winfrey]
|
BAAG Specialist
Registered: 04/11/06
Posts: 5794
Loc: The Country
|
Yes Lotus777, we were doing what they call foal imprinting. His mom is very good with it. But he does spend most of his Time with her alone in the other barn where they have an inside arena, he is so cute.. he follows mom around like glue! Becky walked him out to the outside arena and they put holters on three of the others and walked them up to the arena fence. Boy were they interested! The male Able was extremely interested. After the foal left the arena we put the horses in....Able went racing to the other side...bucking... almost thought he was going to jump the fence.......this sure has been one FANTASTIC experience!!!!
Edited by Winfrey (03/07/13 08:25 AM)
_________________________
Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody Gibran
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#872434 - 03/07/13 10:09 AM
Re: .EDIT... Added first day out in field
[Re: Winfrey]
|
Hints & Glitches forum Moderator
Adept Boomer
Registered: 06/03/05
Posts: 13110
Loc: In Missouri near St. Louis
|
And it never gets old, Winfrey! One spring I had 4 foals - I was exhausted! But hubby and I would take a couple of lawn chairs out to the pasture fence in the evenings and just watch them tear around and play. Better than any TV. It will be so fun to watch him when he's turned out with mom alone and starts to explore away from her side. I remember one little guy checking out a bee on a piece of clover. When it flew up, he tore back to mom's side for safety!
_________________________
In my PC corner for the winter, gaming, knitting and reading.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#872462 - 03/07/13 12:08 PM
Re: .EDIT... Added first day out in field
[Re: Winfrey]
|
BAAG Specialist
Registered: 04/11/06
Posts: 5794
Loc: The Country
|
4 foals.. wow... yea, can't wait til he starts exploring on his own. He doesn't go far from his mom's side right now.
_________________________
Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody Gibran
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#872468 - 03/07/13 12:16 PM
Re: .EDIT... Added first day out in field
[Re: Winfrey]
|
Hints & Glitches forum Moderator
Adept Boomer
Registered: 06/03/05
Posts: 13110
Loc: In Missouri near St. Louis
|
It almost looks like there is an invisible elastic band only about 2 feet long between them, doesn't it!
_________________________
In my PC corner for the winter, gaming, knitting and reading.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#872473 - 03/07/13 12:29 PM
Re: .EDIT... Added first day out in field
[Re: Winfrey]
|
Addicted Boomer
Registered: 03/12/06
Posts: 3281
Loc: Oregon
|
Like synchronized bird flight!!! I was always amazed at how they learned this so fast. That same mare I mentioned retained a placenta when she foaled once and it took a few days and lots of drugs to make it come out. She definitely didn't feel well and I will never forget her lying on her side to rest and lifting her hind leg so baby could nurse. So incredible. I swear she used to speak to me in my head. I called it her dark, brown voice. Maye that was how baby learned??? Now you will think I am seriously wacko, lol!!!
_________________________
Lotus Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|