My mare is at 300 days. Her BFF turn out buddy is leaving tomorrow for training. My other choice for her would be one of our two older geldings (both of whom this mare was raised with and has known since she was born) , my new yearling filly who she is stalled next to but who she has never been out with, or out with all three of the above horses. So, today I put her out with one of those two geldings and she became very agitated. (The mare who is leaving tomorrow was also out with them). I’m not sure I trust prego mare with my new yearling filly. The prego mare is VERY alpha and I’m not sure I want to risk it. The only other option, other than hoping she’ll get used to the gelding again, is to put all three (the two geldings and the filly who are all happily out together) in another paddock which is across the fence from prego mare, but that would leave her out alone. At night she would still be stalled next to the yearling filly. I am very concerned about stressing her out as she is a maiden mare. Suggestions?
just a thought
In the wild mares hang together…for lots of reasons. But, fighting off a rampaging horney stallion is one of them or a group of young stallions who have been known to drive off the old stallion, rape the mares and cause abortions. I think in general they dont trust males as much as females at foaling time and after. BUT, if they are friends with the geldings it is another matter. One of my pregnant mares is stalled next to my stallion and they give massages to each other over the steel panel divider and are quiet as 2 old geldings. I have my stallion next to mares all the time as long as they are not in season. He has been used in pasture breeding and he ‘gets it’ and just wants to have friends. I am drifting… I would try the yearling next to the mare in the stall then turn out if you dont want your mare to be out alone. I have paddocks that are adjoining…I dont know what your set up is. Mine all like to see other horses. The also love routine. Just changing one to a differnet outdoor turn out causes excitement in my herd. But, they adjust. I also have electric wire on top of my tall fences so they stay away from messing around them.
In my experience, mares in late pregnancy don’t mind being alone, at least as long as they can see another horse. After 320 days I don’t leave my mares with other horses in a group situation, although they can be stalled next to a friend at night. My first mare to foal is at 310 days and she could care less about having friends. In any case, I don’t put geldings with a late stage mare. There is something about a new foal that can turn them into lunatics, and I would hate to have a mare foal unexpectedly and have to deal with an aggressive gelding.
If she is ok being by herself, that is what I would do. In a couple of weeks I would be taking my mare from the pasture to her foaling paddock anyway. Good luck 
Put her out alone.
Another vote for solitary turnout with her buddies within sight.
Ditto.
I would put her with the yearling filly. The yearling will respect an alpha mare and if the mare does foal early and unexpectedly in the field I wouldn’t be terrified of a yearling filly hurting the foal. Either that or alone.
Thanks guys- got it covered… she is out alone with the older gelding in an adjoining paddock. She’s happy that he’s there, but safely on the other side of the fence!
