Maiden Breeder Questions

[Zipperoo]

So I've been trying for two years and it has FINALLY been confirmed that Maven is in foal to As Always (the stallion Peter Pletcher shows). We're very excited but I need some advice here.....

She's due late Feb/early March. My plan is to take her to Florida where I have a farm and ample space for her to foal. I've been told she needs to travel (box stall obv) 60 days out. We're leaving Dec 1 so that's not an issue as far as I can tell.

My main concerns are 1) she will not be around any other foaling mares in the barn. Someone freaked me out by saying this is a terrible idea while others have said it's not a problem. Thoughts?

My secondary concern is when can I ship them back together up north (straight from FL to NY, no layover in a box stall). They'll both go to a farm with other mares and youngsters. I just really don't want her to foal in NY a) because of the very likely possibility it will be freezing and b) selfishly, I want to be there.

Any help or advice anyone can give would be hugely helpful. Thanks!

[Juniberry]

I have a firend who bred two foals from his mare both on their own the first was just fine and is great now the second was visably really down. He wanted to play and learn but had no foals with him or other youngstock. This is only really relevant at about month old onwards. Even having had it go well once my firend now won't foal one mare on their own.
I knwo having your mare with you to foal is great but would it be better to keep her where she is if she is going back there anyway?
How old will the foal be when you plan to kove them back?

[eggbutt]

We've never had a problem with a single mare foaling out, but we do use a repro vet for foaling. Being a "single" mom before birth was not an issue whatsoever. I definitely believe in moms and foals being put together as soon as feasible so the mares are happier and the foals learn to be horses and how to play. As far as when she can transport with the foal that far without a layover, that is a question I'd ask your attending vet after foaling. I would think 7 - 10 days would be a good time, but for sure I'd be relying on my vet's advice for that distance.

Good Luck!!

[Zipperoo]

Thanks so much for the advice. I really don't want her to foal in the cold more than anything and the foal will be around 45-60 days old during shipping. I was just wondering if that was too early. Am also working witih repro specialists both in NY and FL so that isn't a concern. Next to check off of my box is finding someone in Wellington for foal watch with lots of experience. I'll be online watching the cameras too but want an experienced person there at the farm waiting and waiting. And waiting! Thanks again.