Field Concerns

[tinastephenson]

I am not sure if I am posting in the right forum?

Charity i now due in only 2 weeks

Stacy and I are both looking at each other and feeling rather worried (Stacy is due to have her first baby on 13th June) so rather I am feeling concerned.....

I have made a 30 foot by 15 foot stable in lambing shed at farm she is kept at, although Charity does not so far seem to be keen on having feed in there, she likes her stable but it is way too small to foal in!

My other worry is, in her field there is an area which is a total bog!!!! She happily goes knee deep into it because the grass growing is sweet, the shetland which keeps her company never goes neer it, but what will happen when the foal arrives? will charity natuarlly keep foal away from bog or do we need to sort something else out?

I wish we had never put her in foal with not enough land of our own, its a total nightmare to be honest, the farmer is superb and willing to help out however he can but I am total worry pot about this foal, want so so much for it to go ok, and with my daughter so far pregnant as well it comes down to me.....

[harveydales]

I'm sure the experienced breeding people will give you good advice but my feeling is you should fence off the boggy area.

This must be a very stressful time for you with Charity due to foal and Stacey expecting in June. Sending lots of calming vibes for you.

[cadeby]

I would definitely fence off the boggy area, as your mare will not perceive it as dangerous because she is so used to wandering in there for a tasty snack.
Could you rig up some temporary electric fencing for a couple of months?

If you want her to foal in the new stable I would start to put her in there each night from now onwards. That will give her time to adjust to the new surroundings before the birth.

Good luck

[sammy]

Echo the other replies, put Charity in her new stable at night and get her used to it and as heather says to build up an immunity to pass on to the foal.
Boggy area, fence it off, even with posts and wide electric fencing tape, with the tapes close together.
Everything will be fine, read as much as you can about the foaling so you are prepared (if not alreadY)
Good luck, any more questions, ask on here and someone will help I'm sure.

[tinastephenson]

Charity will simply not relax in there!! we have tried so many ways including putting her shetland field companion in there with her... She wont eat or relax, just gets very balshy... walk her round to her normal area with a lot of high foot picking up and snorting and she is calm as can be....
To be honest we are at end of tether... all we seem to be able to do is check on her as often as possible. she seems determined to have foal in field which is ok but we cant possibly see her at night. Just turning into a nightmare to be honest....

[harveydales]

I'm sure she'll be fine foaling outside - that's clearly what she wants to do and the more relaxed she is, the better. The nights are very short now anyway.....

[cadeby]

She should be fine foaling outside but just make sure you have some sort of lighting available. If the vet has to be called-out he will struggle if he can't see what he's doing.

The high-powered battery torches (often called Dragon Lights) are brilliant and would enable you to find her in the field up to 500metres away. Buy one quickly though, so she can get used to you shining the beam on her.

Good luck x

[kizzi]

My girlie foaled outside and she was absolutely fine and happy and produced a beautiful healthy foal. I checked as late as possible just as it was getting dark and first thing in the mornings. I did try to check on her at night with a torch but it just spooked her to be honest.