Moving mare and foal back to friends

Question
My maiden mare is about to foal any day now so I have moved her to a small paddock by herself but she is miserable there even though her friends are just over the fence. How soon after foaling can I move her and her foal back into the field with the others? Her friends consist of an older quite dominant mare, a very curious yearling filly and two quiet geldings.

Answer
Once the new foal knows its dam, and will obey her, it will be easier to put her back with her friends. Your mare will show you.  After foaling she should pin her ears and warm the other horses to stay away.  As her protective behavior lessens, it will become safer.  You may wish to separate the filly and geldings and first have her with the older mare.  Once they are ok together, then the geldings, one at a time and lastly the filly.  Good luck. If you worm your mare with Ivermectin the day she foals, it will help prevent foal heat scours with your new foal.