Spring has finally arrived and so have many newborns. It's nice to see animal babies and in particular foals.  I love to watch them follow mum around the field and see them play, too. It's important to make sure your foal gets enough handling so that they are easy to handle for the farrier, vet, and yourself!  Just lifting their feet up and giving then a quick brush over will get them use to you. Foals are cute like any young animal but remember they do grow, so if you are thinking about putting your mare in foal, make sure you know the responsibilities you are taking on for in no time at all you will have two horses to look after and pay for. If you think you might sell the foal then make sure you have a market for the breed you have.  If you buy a foal, remember it is still a commitment and they will need as much if not more attention.  

 After about six months, a foal will loose its foal fur. A female foal is called a filly and a male foal is called a colt. If you choose to have your male colt fixed (gelded) then you need to do this before they get too hard to handle.  Depending on the foal's confirmation I like to leave my foals until either a year or 18 months to be gelded so they gain more topline on their necks, but it is up to you when you choose to have your colt gelded.  If you are not sure then the best advice to get would be from your vet.  

 Once a foal reaches a year old we refer to them as yearlings, at two,  a two year old,  at three, a three year old, and then when four a horse!  If you decide keep your male colt entire (to be a stallion) make sure you are doing it for the right reason and that you have the experience to handle one. In the meantime those of you that don't have foals and have horses can admire the foals out in the fields whilst you drive around Tioga County.  If you drive down Glenmary Drive I bet you will be able to see a few foals out playing in the sunshine.