Re: RC: Re: RE: RE: "In foal" and competing

[Thiessej@aol.com]

Last Sept my wife competed in a 25 mile Ld and came in 4th on a mare that was 
bred in August. We are anxiously waiting for the foal, but have month to go. 
The mare did well in the race and in the pregnancy as well. Horses in the 
wild have to flee from predators no matter what point they are in their 
pregnancy. I think that in some ways we as endurance riders over work our 
horses and in some ways we baby them to much. A mare can work hard during all 
phases of their pregnancy, however if it is over done it will certainly have 
it's affect as will locking a mare up in a pen and without being able to get 
enough exercise.

My father talked about working mares in the field the day after they had a 
foal. I think this was cruel but they did it out of necessity. Farming in the 
depression did not give them any extras such as a spare horse.

I believe they can be worked as long as we use common sense and give them 
time before and after foaling.


Jerald

Sandhaven Saddlebreds 


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