covering

[stormyskies]

I have my mare to cover in 2 weeks. She has a filly foal at foot, which will be 5 weeks when covered.

She covered fine last year but I know with a foal at foot she will resort to her neurotic self!

Is there anything I can give her to take the edge and worry of her to get her covered?

[holiday]

Usually we find once the mare sees the stallion when properly in season she will for those few moments forget the foal especially as she has been covered previously. Even the most foal proud mare seems to be fine.

[owl]

I suggest you stand the foal in front of the mare- most studs know what they are doing and will help

[stormyskies]

thats what we usually do, stand foal in front of mare, but last time she was a cow and alternated between kicking him to death and squirting him to death. so we left her empt as she was a maiden with her first foal at foot. This time she neds to be covered. Out stallion is very good bless him

[kayjayem]

You could maybe give her a bit of sedalin just to take the edge off her. Don't give her too much though yo don't want her unsteady on her legs

[vjc]

I also find if you stand the foal in front of mum where she can see it but obviously not to close, usually all goes well.

[boothsdale]

I would agree with having baby in front of the mare with most but sometimes baby being back in the stable (ideally out of earshot) works better with some mares who are very foal proud.

I'm always really nervous of sedating to cover as I think the mare can panic if she doesn't know whats going on. I would much rather take the twitch and hobbles option.

We generally run ours out and it's fascinating watching how one of the older mares will babysit whilst mum is "busy"

[kayjayem]

I wouldn't suggest sedating heavily enough that they don't know what's going on. Just very lightly to take the edge off.

[stormyskies]

oh lord she would kill us if left baby in stable!!! she is a lovely mare but silly and neurotic over her babies!!! will give it a shot.

was just wanting something to take edge of her. Maybe that oxy-shot might work

[vjc]

I think the answer here is to try and tease her as much as you can for a few hours prior to covering. Ideally put the stallion in a stable opposite or as near as possible without upsetting her. Let her eye-ball him and have time to understand what is happening.
Best of luck.

[stormyskies]

cheers. will put them next to each other so she can chill with the whole idea!!!