Upset foal refuses to eat

[mady]

My foal was weaned September was eating really well. At weaning put her with another foal she was quite happy and eating well with him. Unfortunately she really doesn't like being stabled so decided to get her in a routine and bring her in every night which seemed to work then went away for a few days so they had to live out again; she was fine until we came back and won't settle in the stable she gets really upset.

She won't eat her feed in a morning and gets stressed until she goes out with her friend.

She is losing weight. Just wanted to ask if anyone had the same/similar issues. Suppose we'll just grin and bear it in a hope she will settle

[larkhaven]

Personally I would either put the 2 foals together to feed or leave her out if she's happier.she is very young to insist that she is stabled alone, unless you can arrange stables so she can se and preferably touch another pony.I would also be worried about weight loss in one so young. Weanlings go downhill so fast, and don't have the self presevation instinct of an older pony.

[richvale]

We have a foal exactly like yours.  She is okay out during the day with 2 mares and one foal but when we fetch her in at night she stresses when separated.  Just hope she will eventually settle.  She does eat her feed eventually.  We feed slobber mash, stud mix and foal creep pellets.  Hope this helps.

[mady]

I can't put her with the other foal as he is a big boy so no room in the inn.

She isn't too bad at night as quite hungry as not much grass now but in the morning she just won't eat.

She's on hifi, D&H youngstock mix, calm n cond & stud balancer and usually gobbles it all

Suppose it's just time getting her back in a routine

[sarahp]

My weanlings live out in the day, in at night too. They come into individual boxes in my big barn at night so they can see each other, and their 2yo gelding "nanny" - really there for his sake now as going showing next year, all being well. They are normally very keen to come in for their supper, and like yours are fed in the morning before being turned out again. None go out until all have finished eating. I have got one bought in one who is having a fit of the Kevin's and sometimes won't be caught in the evening so stays out for a cold night on his own with no feed, usually will be caught OK in the morning though as very keen for his breakfast! He has to learn that I'm herd leader and he has to work my way, including being caught when required!

[mady]

Well we had a result this morning she ate half a feed so I am a very happy mum today :-)

She loves her friend but I think getting back in a routine is the answer

[sarahp]

Hurrah! Maybe she just has to remember that she DOES go out with him after breakfast, he hasn't gone for good!

[mady]

Aw thanks sarahp

I have decided I am not breeding anymore haha. I don't know how everyone copes it's too stressful

[gillwales]

I am glad to hear that things are beginning to level out for you. Breeding can be stressful, and I think it is easier to have more than one, but there needs to be more than one of you. Personally I do not think it works unless you have your own place so you do not have any restrictions on you. Breeding can be very rewarding, although not really financially these days, but unless you have the facilities and man-power it can be very stressful.

good luck with your filly

[mady]

thanks gillwales.. I am very lucky as we do have our own place so they can be turned out no matter what the weather brings. I just dont like seeing her upset it was worrying enough when she was born she had a difficult time then.

[sarahp]

I think one gets more relaxed with time and more foals when breeding; when it's all new to you it's much worse. We have our own place but I've always been a one woman band gillwales, although in an emergency I can draft in definitely non-horsey husband to hold a good pony or shut a gate! Mine are natives out 24/7 all year round though unless weanlings, going showing or too fat! Now that I'm old and arthritic I do have a girl who will come and help at times, eg farrier and vet visits, but I always used to do it all on my own.

[gillwales]

sarahp, there are always exceptions to every rule, however you ar right in saying that you get more relaxed, much the same as other things. What I said was a general guide and something that I do believe in. I could still breed by myself, however I cannot produce the foals to the standard I could when there was my daughter to help

[caspa]

Just wondering why you have your youngster on calm & condition and a balancer & mare & young stock, seems an awful lot for a youngster to be having?

Is she happy with the mix? Just a thought.. Hope you sort her out, I know how worrying it is, our 13 week old filly is still on mum, sadly mum is an eating machine, so we bought a foal feeder, only thing is little one doesn't like it and mum keeps getting her head stuck in it :-0
So we are feeding together like before we got the foal feeder, I'm just hoping my little one is getting enough before mummy comes along and nicks all little ones tea!..

[mady]

Hi caspa - the other foal was on it when he came and as they were in a field together she ended up sharing his field.

- I have bred horses on and off for the past don't like admitting it but 30yrs oops. Low key I must say and had some odd ones but this little filly is our last as I
Can't see breeding unless keeping them we decided not to again, never say never though.

She had a bad start so was really worried about her she is quite special

[caspa]

Aww, good luck.. Hope everything goes well for you..

[sarahp]

Sorry mady, I assumed you hadn't had many foals. It wasn't the question you asked but her diet wouldn't be my choice either.

gillwales, I did quite well enough on my own, more a question of how many than how well.

[mady]

It's ok sarahp you wouldn't know

I am open to any suggestions regarding feed she is a little skinny. She isn't a native she is going to be a large hack and the other a large riding horse. I've always fed D&H youngstock mix and bailey stud balancer and they have alway been ok but alway open to any alternatives esp if it reduces my feed bill :-)

[shetlandgirl]

Maybe try her with smaller feeds, i dont know how big the feeds she is getting are but there seems to be a fair bit in them and it may be that she simply isnt hungry if she gets a big feed at night and a fair amount of hay. (even if she was eating it all before). Can you try giving her a smaller one in the morning but then try and give her a bit of lunch also, that might work
Hope she turns out a stunning filly which im sure she will x

[gillwales]

one little trick I used to get a pony to eat was to feed everything else first, maybe add a bit of sugar beet or try boiled barley. Very good quality hayledge