Foal Turn Out Overnight???

[MaddieBlack]

Can anybody give me any advice on when it would be suitable to turn a foal out 24/7 with Mum.(Mum has lived out for 1 1/2yrs 24/7, she is a miniature sheltand, hence Millie tiny!!!)

Millie was born on Monday night and has been turned out during the day since Wednesday as Mum gets fed up inside and sometimes does not let Millie suckle. The vet advised to make sure Millie has a good suckle before I go to bed and when I get up, then turn them out as Mum lets her suckle fine in the field.

I plan to re introduce to my Section A Mare this week sometime and I would then like to move the three of them to another field up the lane. As it is not going to be practical to keep bringing in Mum&foal each night I would like some idea of when a foal would be strong enough to live out 24/7 in our unpredictable weather conditions? The field has plenty of natural shelter (Gorse bush) but no man made shelter. She is growing but still tiny!!!!

Any advice appreciated as novice foal owner.

Vicky

[blackhorses]

Mine go out the day they are born and stay out if the weather is nice like we have now - they are much healthier and happier out - foals are hardier than they look and have a thick coat, if your mare will only let the foal suckle outside then she is getting nothing all night to keep her warm anyway so leave out! Natives are particualy hardy and should be fine, as long as it isn't raining and blowing a gale and the foal is healthy, they can cope just fine with cold dry weather. My first one this year was born 26/3/07 and has been out from day one and is fit as anything! Plus mum will be eating good spring grass so plenty of good milk for baby!

[Skyhuntress]

Usually we keep them in for a week (only during the nights) but I mean, you could quite easily turn mom and baby out immediately if everything went well with the foaling and they were either by themselves in a small pen or with a mare/gelding who is ok with babies and especially make sure they aren't in with a mare who tries to steal babies (you wouldn't believe what a problem that is)

[mayoguinness]

Any foals on the yard are born outside and never come in!! Very healthy and they never have a problem with them!!

[puzzles]

ditto mayoguiness - especially a shettie! it was humans who invented stables may i remind peeps...