|
|
  
| This will be my first, and also the mares first. Iām so very excited, but also very nervous.
Any and all recommendations or advice is appreciated! I want to be sure to have as much knowledge, and be as ready/set up as possible. Obviously I have a while, but never too early to start!
Thanks!
Edited by Rustynailfl 2015-03-17 9:14 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
Location: Missouri | I am right there with you!! I would love to know more information!! What's the best feed/supplements for bred mares? |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
Location: Missouri | I am right there with you!! I would love to know more information!! What's the best feed/supplements for bred mares? |
|
| |
|
 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
 
| Platinum Performance is excellent. My mare will not eat it so I keep LOOSE minerals out for her. I use a horse mineral not a stock mineral. Grostrong minerals are excellent but I can't get them around here. I think the ones I buy are from Martindale Feed Mill in north TX. Equipride is a good choice too. My mare doesn't like that either. Have to give her what she likes. |
|
| |
|
| As of right now I just have her on a mare and foal pellet, which she has been doing great on. Beat pulp and hay.
A couple of questions maybe some can answer..
1. When she's ready to foal, what type of stall shavings, etc. do you use? I seen that a lot of people lay hay out but I am a bit worried with her because she is one that will literally eat herself to death. If there is hay, she is going to eat it.
2. What is your recommended stall size?
3. When do you normally start the weaning process?
4. What happens when you start to wean? When do you start to feed grain, etc?
|
|
| |
|
 Toastest with the Mostest
Posts: 5712
Location: That part of Texas | Best recommendation that I can give is to try and find someone in your area that breeds and raises horses that might act as a possible mentor for you during the process. I had access to two local gals who raise their own (both have their own studs and mares) and it was awesome to get to spend time at their barns, help them do some chores and see how each handles the process from how they set things up, feed they give and when they adjust according to how close the due date is and how to handle the baby when it finally gets here. I learned more than I ever could have from reading books or looking at posts online. I think they also enjoyed having someone around to talk to about the process and to have an extra hand or two at feeding/breeding time to help them get everything taken care of sooner and to clean out stalls. I basically "worked for free" in that regard but the education I got was priceless.
Edited by Red Raider 2015-03-17 3:39 PM
|
|
| |
|
Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| I prefer for my horses to foal in the pasture but the dog problem around here is ridiculous. I open up two stalls to make a 12 x 24 stall. I put the mare in it the day before she foals and leave her alone. Make sure she has feed hay and clean water. I give the foal a tetanus shot shortly after birth. I wean at six months and feed in a half barrel on the ground to encourage the foal to eat ASAP. I try to halter break as soon as possible to eliminate problems if you have to go to the vet etc. My foals don't seem to be as cooperative as other peoples'. Hope that helps. You need to have very safe facilities because babies can find a way to get hurt on anything.
|
|
| |
|
| Thanks for all the info!
I definitely have some work to do to make a place as safe as possible. My plan is for her to have a total covered stall area of 20x20, my stalls have open runs attached so she would also have about a 20x20 uncovered run area. making a total area of about 40x40.
The problem I run into is that my pasture is barb wire. So I plan on using round pen panels to make a large safe turn out area for them. Thoughts on this? Thanks! :) |
|
| |
|
Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| Rustynailfl - 2015-03-18 8:00 AM
Thanks for all the info!
I definitely have some work to do to make a place as safe as possible. My plan is for her to have a total covered stall area of 20x20, my stalls have open runs attached so she would also have about a 20x20 uncovered run area. making a total area of about 40x40.
The problem I run into is that my pasture is barb wire. So I plan on using round pen panels to make a large safe turn out area for them. Thoughts on this? Thanks! :)
I have barb wire all the way around my place and yes sometimes they get into it. Really don't have a huge problem. I had one get a bad cut on her foot from a panel! They can kill themselves in a padded stall. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Excellent online mini course.
http://www.horses-and-horse-information.com/horsebreeding.shtml |
|
| |
Folks on-line