Hello
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When my mare Dazzler foaled in August of this year, we had some issues with her being very agressive with us and not wanting to let us handle her foal. Thankfully we have overcome that, and things are going really well now. She still doesn't like other horses going near him, but I think she is slowly getting over it as he gets older.
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I was talking to someone recently about our experience with Dazzler and she told me that the mare was "Foal Proud". Our conversation was distracted, and I forgot to ask what that means and what people do to work with mares that are "Foal Proud".
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So, I was wondering if someone could tell me what "Foal Proud" means and what people do to work with mares that are "Foal Proud"?
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Thanks for your time, and I look forward to hearing from someone soon.
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Kind regards,
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Gen
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Horse Behavior and Training
What does Foal Proud mean?
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Hi Gen,
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You pretty much have the answer in what you've described of your mare's behavior after foaling. :)
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Most mares will be careful with their babies and not let other living beings near them. This is a good thing, since it stops the risk of infections spreading, or other - not so friendly creatures - from harming it.
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When the mare gets (overly) aggressive about it - esp. to people she normally trusts - and it doesn't pass within a day or two, that's when you could say it moves from normal behavior to "foal proud".
I wouldn't say it is unnatural behavior, but rather an extreme expression of the natural maternal instincts. Possibly due to too much hormones. (I believe it is more common in mares with difficult heat periods, so that would be logical.)
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I'm so glad that things have worked out with Dazzler.
Don't worry about her not letting other horses near him! That is perfectly OK at this time. She's just being a good mom, and once he is big enough, he will take care of that part himself. (Or when she starts to get tired of him!) ;)
Hi Gen and Kicki,
I guess one could say, that the mare waits until the foals gives clear signals he's ready to get in touch with the other horses, being curious enough to leave his Mom's side and explore the world on his own. For some months he'll be able to come back to her, when he needs her protecion. Until this moment she'll not let any horse come near him. This is like the extension of the birthprocess, the foal takes the initiative, the mare reacts to it's signals.
Ofcourse there are hormones involved, so " teaching" a mare to let other horses near her foal is not a very good idea. She'll get over it and the foal will get more curious day by day.
Enjoy every minute of it!
Miriam
Hi GEn,
Very interesting situation you have there.
My daughter has a mare and son.
The mare is 8 yrs old and her boy is 5 yrs now. They have never been apart and he is some nice boy, so freindly and kind, great horses.
When she put them in the barn the other night, super bad weather,they were put in stalls that were two between them and they called out to each other, answered each other and were fine, cool, the connection they have.
Enjoy watching them grow up is such a pleasure.
The best to you,
Ronda
Hi Kicki, Miriam and Ronda
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Thanks so much for getting back to me. The insights you guys provide are excellent :-)
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Dazzler has been a great teacher to me with her foal. Even though we have had some issues, the learning and opportunity to observe their behaviour has been great.
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The little colt (Chicka) will be 12 weeks old this coming Saturday and it is amazing how much he has stepped out from Dazzler over the last week. He is starting to seek out the other horses over the fence, and at first, Dazzler was not happy about it at all. But she is settling down a bit now, and I have seen Chicka standing with Ranger and Renacer at the fence together a few times now with Dazzler grazing near by.
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So from what you guys say, and from what I see, everything must be progressing in the right direction.
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Yep, this has been a very interesting situation for us; but we are really enjoying the experience :-)
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Thanks again for getting back to me.
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Kind regards,
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Gen
So pleased to know that you have now been able to enjoy the experience of your foal. Well done to you and Dazzler! Continue to have fun on this breeding, raring journey you have embarked on. All the best with it and keep us up dated! It is hard to express how much joy Tricka has given me over the now 6 years since her birth.
I envy you guys like crazy!
I wish I have had the priveledge of having a colt or filly from birth, that would be great.
Can you imagine how great the horse would be if we have a youngster and train it Mony's way from the beginning, wow!
With all natural horsemanship training all of you guy's horses have had, they must be amazing.
I have never had a horse or pony from it's birth, they have all been a little older.
Just great to hear these stories,
Ronda
Hi Maggie and Ronda
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Thanks to the encouragement and advice I have recieved in this forum, we have definately come a long way!
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It is my goal to raise my babies without violence or roughness of any kind. Chicka and the foal that is due on Boxing Day are the first horses of my own that I have ever had from birth, and I am really looking forward to showing them at halter and eventually riding them :-) will keep you all updated.
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You would be great with a foal Ronda, hope you do get the opportunity to have one of your own one day.
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Kind regards,
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Gen
I think it means that the mare is very proud of her foal and her motherly instincts were taking over when she was aggressive towards you. That's my guess.
Thanks Gen so much, it would be a dream.
I can only imagine what a beautiful baby STAR would have.
Maybe when she's older.
I guess I care too much for her and am frightend to have her covered after all the horrors I have seen and read about, I'm not that brave.
She's such a tiny thing and delicate and if anything happened to her I would be heartbroken and feel so responsible.
Not much of a farmer, am I. I get too attached to my animals, my family always said.
We had ducks, chickens..etc, but then a fox came around and soon most were gone. It upset me so much I just cried. I have pictures of me holding, Dutchus (my white duck) and others, Rusty and Shingles,The Mofia,Mochca, they were all beautiful.
I sent the surviving ones to my daughter's farm, she has a mule and nothing comes around her place.
Maybe one day, when STAR is older and I am assured by her vet that it would be safe I'd allow it.
I heard it makes them better horses?
Have a sunny day everyone,
Ronda
Hi Gen,
I was just cruising for horse items on the internet and I went to Breyer official website and saw something I think you would love to buy.
It is a necklace of a mare and her foal inside a heart, it's beautiful and not too expensive.
Take a look and see if you like it.
Ronda
Hi Ronda
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Thanks for the tip :-) I love the Breyer website. They have so many beautiful things on there. I found the necklace you were talking about and its beautiful.
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You sound a bit like me with your animals. I get very attached and upset when anything happens to them. STAR will definately have a beautiful baby when the time is right :-)
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Thanks again,
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Kind regards,
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Gen