New foal

[RichZ]

Well, we finally got our new foal. She's a PMU foal, most of you know about PMU foals from my earlier post. She's a full blooded Belgian, and she's beautiful. She's 4 months old, we named her Rosie. Within her first 20 minutes with us, she climbed out of the window of her box stall, into the paddock!! Luckily we had the paddock locked, and the other horses out in the pasture. She calmed down right away. Karen had a halter on her the first day, even though she's never had any training at all. We're working on her halter training, and she's learning fast! We had her out of the barn and walking around in 4 days. I think that's pretty good for a foal who never had any training, and two neophyte owners.

I do have a question about feeding. I've been told to give her 2 flakes of hay three times a day. We're also giving her "Beginings" feed for foals. We're starting her slowly on that, because she's never had any feed other than what she found on the pasture she was born in. Is this the right way to start with feeding? Our vet will be checking her out tomorrow, and give her shots and worming.

Thanks!!

Rich

 

[cowboydoc]

Rich,

First congrats. on the foal.

With regards to feeding: Get a weight tape and weigh her. Saying to give a horse two flakes or hay is pretty loose info. It all depends on whether or not it is alfalfa, grass, etc. You have to be very careful with alfalfa and grain becuase if you give too much then they can develop epiphisytis, joint derangement condition. If you're feeding alfalfa then a good solid rule of thumb is to give her 2% of her body weight in hay and about .5% in grain. For example if you have a 500 lb. foal then you would want to feed 10lbs. of hay and 2.5lbs of grain per day. To figure 10 lbs. weigh your bale and feed that much per day. It is best to feed horses three times per day. Most of us, myself included, don't have that much time so 2x per day is ok. If you're feeding grass hay then you can feed all you want as it doesn't have the protein like alfalfa does. Make sure there is plenty of water as well.

Now on a side note with a horse that large it's going to benefit you to get some good advice on raising a foal. Reason being is that most people think that it's ok to let a horse nuzzle you and push you with their head and nip, etc. With horses they will develop a hierarchy system and will place you somewhere in it. It's important that you establish yourself at the top of that right away. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't be kind and loving with your horse. What it means is that it needs to be your idea. For example if your horse comes over and starts to push at you with her head to be petted or get a halter off, etc. that's bad. If you approach your horse and pet her, etc. then that's ok. You have to establish that though. Otherwise when your foal gets older she won't respect you and will run all over you and someone could get hurt. A good one to learn about this from is John Lyons. He's got some excellent books and videos out that you can learn from. He's at www.johnlyons.com.

 

[jims5acr]

Congrats on the foal. My Wife will be getting her's soon. She is getting a Saddle Bred Draft Cross. Did you get yours from Foal Quest? Can't add any input to your question but the vet should have some good information for you when he comes out. Congrats again.

 

[RichZ]

Jim, I got my foal from Spring Hill Horse Rescue in Brandon Vermont. As you said, the vet gave me good info. Our baby is just barely 4 months old and weighs 459 pounds. She has a slight respiratory infection, and conjuctivitus, but that's to be expected after all the stress she's been in the past few weeks. Basically she's in good health, that will improve with some antibiotics. Our vet gave us good feeding info, and some suggestions that I never thought of, such as a breakaway halter. She continues to do very well on her halter training, and has become extremely friendly and affectionate.

Good luck with your new foal! What kind are you getting? Maybe we can compare experiences!

Rich

 

[RichZ]

Thanks, Richard! Good advice as usual! I'll check out the John Lyons website, and get the books and video. I also find alot of good info in Western Horseman, which you recommended. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions for you as Rosie progresses!

Rich