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Post by specialsparkle3 on Jan 1, 2012 12:37:53 GMT 1
Well I used to have TB foals born in early March which can be really cold ( especially when I lived up north )but I never rugged them. Having said that, they lived in at night in deep straw, were never allowed to get wet.and they were turned out for increasing periods ( according to the weather ) for the first two weeks of their life ------------foals are not waterproof until they are a least two weeks, and even then, should not be subjected to rain and cold weather for too long. So really it depends on how your foal will be kept. Personally, unless a foal was ill, I would avoid rugging if possible ( one more thing for a foal to damage itself with : but having said that, if it could not be kept as I was able to do, I suppose I would think about it although to be truthful, I would not sleep comfortably if I had a rugged foal out at night, but then I would not sleep if I had to keep a foal out at night in it's first couple of months anyway.
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Post by marianne on Jan 1, 2012 14:57:47 GMT 1
Thank you Julia - though my horses are generally out 24/7 I've been bringing in 4 overnight - including the pregnant mare - just to establish an overnight routine for when foalie arrives
I hope to keep the youngster out as much as possible, mostly because I'm a fervent barefoot and believe early days are crucial here too - but will do my darndest to try and keep it dry too (rug or otherwise)
More updates as and when ;D
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Post by kizi on Jan 1, 2012 17:04:03 GMT 1
Ooh you mean a proper winter baby!!! Gosh then I too would be very tempted to rug too, but I think would be prepared for it but avoid it unless necessary, but I am spoilt as I have a large loose barn where they could live! Best of luck with her I hope it all goes smoothly!
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Post by happysnail on Jan 1, 2012 17:09:21 GMT 1
We were caught out by artificial photoperiod caused by lights next to field and first foal of the year arrived 28th January (in the Highlands). He lived in with supervised turn out for the first couple of weeks. We tried a rug just as an experiment but he sweated up so much we felt the risks far out weighed the benefits. He's grown up - enormous compared to other foals this year and very healthy. The latest foal was born in autumn and she's lived out the whole time (but with barn) and would have been in if there was any weather early on. They all have gorgeous, thick winter coats. My filly and the other colt have never worn rugs and I don't think we will unless there's a reason to rug.
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