turning foals out ???turning a foal out??

[shell81]

hi all ive just bought a 6 month old section a colt foal ive had him for 2 weeks now had to keep him in for a while as he wasnt handled much so had to win him round to get a head collar on and off ive been putting him in the paddock on his own but he goes mad i have to go in with him he gets a bit excited bucking and rearing and running into me sure he thinks im his mum lol but not good when u have a colt running at you and playing nearly been kicked a couple of times how do you all introduce ur foals to other horses i have a section a he is going to be going out with im just a bit nervy incase he hurts him self any suggestions on how to introduce him would be greatly appreciated

[barnfield]

It will probably be a none event, we worry about introductions and especially with a youngster, but most adult horses will make allowance for a youngster, will put him in his place, which is not a bad thing, I would just turn them out together, the foal will open and close his mouth a few times to say I am a baby and that will be it,

[shell81]

thanks barn field im feared of putting him out incase he hurts him self allsorts going threwv my mind wht if he runs threw fence or gets kicked hes my baby but think it has to be done will trythem tomorrow thanks for ur advice x

[Cockers Cats and Cuddly Ponies]

I was in the same situation a few weeks ago with a very wild section d. When I put him in the field he would go loopy an escape to one if my others. I thought sod it. He instantly was taken, my older boy had a bit of a squeal but nothing major. If anything it has helped the baby, I now sneak my other out if the field for half an hour each day increasing as weeks go on as don't want him dependant if having to be our with others. Bite the bullet the older ones know how to behave with the baby's an exactly how to put them in their place if needs be, only advice is do it a day where you have a few hours spare just to keep an eye on them. Good luck cx

[brt]

Your other section A will know he is a baby, he will get put in his place but usually the older pony will only threaten or give him a nudge with his leg.
Mine all go out with Spongebob, he is the boss and they learn very quickly!! He normally gives them a nip but your colt will mouth at your other to let him know he's a baby.
It is always worrying, but they have to learn so just leave them to get on with it xx

[delbel]

can you try him in an arena/small paddock first together so that you can intervene if need be? we tend to do that with ours, so that they are not galloping round a strange fileld, I'm a panicker too and its true more likely it will be ok than not, but it does amaze me how many people don't even think about what can go wrong!

[sarahp]

I prefer to turn out in a large field with plenty of space if I think there might be fireworks - more space for the underdog to get away into as opposed to being possibly trapped in a corner.

[gillwales]

Nov 18, 2012 21:50:48 GMT delbel said:

can you try him in an arena/small paddock first together so that you can intervene if need be? we tend to do that with ours, so that they are not galloping round a strange fileld, I'm a panicker too and its true more likely it will be ok than not, but it does amaze me how many people don't even think about what can go wrong!

no offence Delbel but I would not advise in trying to intervene, you wont be much help if you get hurt, let the pony you are turning foal out with chat over the stable door, Im sure it will go ok, most adults are tolerant of babies, dont forget they are herd animals, I also think a big field is safer than a small area, and it will not be a bad think for your foal to be taught herd etiquette.

good luck

[sarahp]

I'd be more concerned about two adults that don't know each other than a foal - as said above adults are very tolerant of babies, they will teach them manners but not hurt them. And I agree about not intervening, at the end of the day people matter more than ponies.

[pattendown]

its better to turn him out with a friend as hes more likely to hurt himself being on his own as hes just a baby and a baby on its own in a herd wouldnt last very long so the get very frightened and an older male will help keep his hormones in check

[sarahp]

Your foal will be much happier and calmer with another pony, good explanation from pattendown.

Just another thing - you must remain his "herd leader" in that you must not let him run at you even if he does only want to play (another reason for needing a friend!), it could become dangerous especially with a colt, they must learn not to take liberties. If one of mine does, I jump up and down and wave my arms and growl at them, only a human version of what an older mare higher in the hierachy would do in the herd to teach respect and manners. Only you will know how forceful you will need to be as you know your foal. Try to stand your ground and expect him to swerve around you if you can, not to the point of being injured of course.

[shell81]

thanks for all your advice i turned jack out with my other gelding in field for a couple of hours dont no what i was worried about they got on great jack loved it thanks all

[sarahp]

There you go, we all thought he'd be fine!

[barnfield]

So pleased, it is as I said usually a non event, but its good you care about him and asked for advice,

[delbel]

what i meant by intervene was take the adult horse out, I have turned foals out before with the herd and they have panicked and ended up in separate fields and panicked even more! its not so bad if you have a good field but our winter fields are sloped and next to a road so to many possible hazzards should they panick! it all depends on your set up and we chose to turn them in the arena and meet the adults that way!