RE: conditioning mares with foals

[Karen Sullivan <greymare@jps.net>]

-----Original Message-----
From:	Paula C Gentry [SMTP:pgentry@U.Arizona.EDU]
Hi all--

a question. I have a running QH-type mare that I'm conditioning to start
doing LD. My question is not so much about what she can handle, but what
the foal by her side can handle. She has an 8-week old filly by her side
 I pony the baby until we're away from the barn then let her run
loose. Where I ride is rough and has a lot of deep sand. I've been going
out for maybe 45-60 minutes at a time, ~3 days a week.

----------------------
Paula C Gentry, PhD
pgentry@U.Arizona.EDU

[Karen Sullivan]  I asked the same thing of my vet-how much to do with a 5 month-old filly, running loose on the trail. She said she should be able to walk an hour, so I reduced the initial trail rides to 1/2 that at first, since there were some hills.  My vet seemed to think that most folks under-exercise babies; that they can take, and need plenty of running and exercise.

My baby had run with other foals in a pasture, but at first, at my place; was in a large paddock.  She either had pasture turnout every day, or                                                 
a short trail ride. I varied it from short rides with hills and rougher terrain and puddles, to road walking, where she would occasionally trot or canter to catch up.

Don't know about an 8 week one, though.....would watch her carefully and if she seems depressed or tired then you know you are doing too much.  I am as much concerned with feeding, and not to overfeed-don't want to stuff her gullet with high-protein and high carb feed and contribute to epiphysitis (sp.).  She is on a variety of hay (alfalfa, oat and grass), some grazing, and 1/2 the bag-reccomended amount of foal pellets.

No problems to far.....It's a GREAT way to get your foal trail-smart, surefooted and balanced before you get on it's back! 

Mine is getting hauled out 2 to 3 times a week, already she ties and hauls confidently and this is also invaluable!

Since so many foals seem to just sit around the first 3 years of their life, you are on the right track, just sounds a tad hard to me, if the going is rough.


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