Very Evasive New Foal & Very Protective Shire Mare

Question
We have a shire mare who we bred with a paint stud.  Foal was just born (6 days old now).  We were able to handle the foal within hours of birth.  However starting on day 2 mom became VERY evasive and protective and we are lucky if we can get close to the baby twice a day and then just for a quick pet.  This is not how I wanted it.  Currently they are in about 1/2 acre of pasture that has a run in shed (not currently enclosed as a stall -- could be done, but is not currently) we have a 60' round pen with sand in that area as well (we have the door tied open in case the baby were to get in so the mama could as well).  We had the vet out yesterday to check them out.  Took a bit to catch mama but finally did, led them both into the round pen (baby just followed).  We had someone hold mama while we worked with baby; took a bit to catch and then she squealed like a pig the entire time (maybe 4 minutes or so).  Mama kind of grunted, but kept relatively under control until the other horses (in an adjoining pasture) all bolted over to see what we were doing to the baby then mama wanted to kick those guys thru the double fence.  It took 4 of us -- vet assistant holding squealing baby (had never heard one squeal so constantly), vet to do the check and eventually draw blood, one to hold the mama and keep her from hurting everyone else, and one to shoo the other horses away so mama wouldn't get so excited.

So, question:  is this normal?  Normally, if a horse behaved like this I would round pen them until they wanted to stand still and be with me; but that doesn't seem right.  When we try to approach baby she knows to hang out right at mama's rear end (who threatens to kick out but hasn't actually given it a "real" effort).  HELP.

Answer
Hi Connie,
  It sounds like what your mare is doing is normal behaviour for many mares as their instincts are to protect their foals.  She should calm down after a few weeks of handling and as the foal gets faster, stronger and able to defend itself.  This will eventually turn into complete indifference as the foal gets to a few months old.  She may become easier to handle as she has more foals too, but some mares are just naturally over-protective over their newborns and will always be more aggressive in the first month of their motherhood.