Got a bog off on a pony.

[happymummyhen]

Hiya

I've recently brought a beautiful mare from a not very nice chap who I've had endless problems with.

Anyway on the vet coming out to do a general check over the mare is in foal. Our vet is very good and offered tons of help and advice generally being to let nature take its course and not let the mare get fat.

I brought the pony originally for breaking and general riding, I've no idea what she has been covered by but at a wild guess is a little coloured.

The mare has been very badly treated in the past she has sores all round her legs from being tethered and is obviously very sensative around them but getting better.

I'm worried that all the early stress could have done some harm to her and her foal, what signs do I need to be looking for? How best to care for her?

Communication with the previous owner is not an option as I've already got a open police case against him for threatening behaviour, attempted theft and trying to extaught money from us. He really is the scum of the earth.

Thanks for any advice, she really is a beautiful mare who we just want the very best for

[pinetrees]

That's lovely that you want the best for your new mare and foal......I hope someone with experience of this can help you, I'm sorry I can't.......but I wish you the very best of luck and hope to see a pic of the foal on HG when it arrives!

[brt]

To be honest if she still has her foal then i doubt any harm will have been done, mares can abort under duress. Rule of thumb i was taught is the mare looks after herself first whilst in foal, then once the foal is on the ground the foal take priority which is why you see very healthy foals with very poor mums.

[pattendown]

how far along is the mare do you know ,id say she will probably be fine and you will have a lovely healthy foal ,the mare wont need xtra feed untill the last 3 months as thats when the foal does most of its growing but good vitamins early on good luck with her

[zetasmum]

Have you had the foal yet?

Many years ago, a friend who had a pony bought for her as a child was very frustrated because the pony was getting lazier and lazier riding out on the mountain and was not keeping up with the other ponies. The next day there were two ponies in the stable. The foal was perfect, the mother was fine, the birth had gone without a hitch. The foal was coloured and was named Paintbox.

The mare had not had any special care, and had been ridden regularly to the very day of giving birth.

Have faith in your pony - she is female - she is tough and she is lucky enough to have you to give her the best possible attention.

[Deleted]

I would make sure she gets a good stud feed balancer to help her & her foal - it has all the necessary mins & vits. I'm sure she will be fine and very grateful for you looking after her

[happymummyhen]

Not foaled yet.

Thanks for all your help. She was scanned back in June and due march time. She is getting really big and just wants to lie down at the moment.

Going to start on a stud mix in the next few months as we have really good grass here. She has access to loads of fresh water and salt licks but doesn't bother with them much.

Anyone think I should be doing things differently I'm totally new to failing so open to suggestions. She is out 24/7 at the moment as that is where she is happiest

[sarahp]

You don't want to get her too fat - I'm not talking size of her belly but feel over the ribs and the crest. If you have plenty of grass that may be enough, I can't see her of course as you can, but a stud balancer would make sure she gets all essential micronutrients. Personally I prefer not to feed sugar or starch and mixes are usually full of both!

[Deleted]

Oct 3, 2013 10:47:33 GMT happymummyhen said:

Not foaled yet.

Thanks for all your help. She was scanned back in June and due march time. She is getting really big and just wants to lie down at the moment.

Going to start on a stud mix in the next few months as we have really good grass here. She has access to loads of fresh water and salt licks but doesn't bother with them much.

Anyone think I should be doing things differently I'm totally new to failing so open to suggestions. She is out 24/7 at the moment as that is where she is happiest

After having problems with my foal I would stay well clear of stud mix as I completely believe that was to much. I didn't feel my last mare it and just fed balancer and had no problems.

If you have good grass I'd just stick with balancer and the grass. I've completely gone off stud mix. My mare looked super off the balancer all through the last stages of pregnancy and throughout. But I think combines with grass and hay the mix have her too much good milk and caused growth problems in my foal.

Just my opinion though. And it was fed to the correct amounts.

Good luck

[prinnypony]

Similar thing happened to me. Bought a pony she looked pregnant so got her tested which came back negative- 1st of May (bank holiday) phone call off YO- there was a little surprise in the stable! Mare had been on a crash diet and exercise regime for months! Mum and foal were both 100% healthy though. They are more resilient than you think! xx

[wilbs]

Definitely keep her underweight rather than over - makes foaling easier for them. You can always up the stud nuts after. Hope mare is coming along well and that a safe delivery is soon. keep us informed.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't give her any extra other than a handful of balancer - until after she has foaled pm if you wish I have bred horses/ponies all my life