Mona
Well-Known Member
I just hate weaning time...not so much because of the screaming babies, because they get over that fast enough, but for me, weaning time is the period that turns my sweet, friendly foals into scared little rabbits!
I am sure it is because it is at weaning time they are already stressed enough, and then on top of that, they get their shots, and also that is the time I spend more time tieing and leading. They have had halters on, been lead small amounts, and been tied, just so they know what it is basically, but then I really do not fuss much with anything like that until they are weaned.
I go out several times a day just to "love" on them, but I don't really ask a whole lot of them until they are weaned, as I want them to just enjoy being babies. Then they are weaned, and they get taken away from their mom's, moved from pen/pasture to pen/pasture, jabbed with umpteen needles, and forced to be caught, haltered, walked etc.
This turns my people lovin' little sweethearts into scared little things that run the other way from you, instead of the usual running up to you. It is always hard for me to get pics of the foals, as they follow me around so close when I am with them. Then after weaning, I cannot even look at them! Makes me feel so bad. I think the worst part is the needles....vaccinations, blood drawn for coggins etc.
Does anyone else ever face these things at weaning time?? Makes me sooo sad to see them this way.
Once I give them some time, and just slowly make them reallize the halter is not a weapon, and I am not going to hurt them everytime I carry it, it goes alright, and they once again learn to trust, BUT, it will soon be time for their 2nd round of vaccinations, and it will start all over again.

I am sure it is because it is at weaning time they are already stressed enough, and then on top of that, they get their shots, and also that is the time I spend more time tieing and leading. They have had halters on, been lead small amounts, and been tied, just so they know what it is basically, but then I really do not fuss much with anything like that until they are weaned.
I go out several times a day just to "love" on them, but I don't really ask a whole lot of them until they are weaned, as I want them to just enjoy being babies. Then they are weaned, and they get taken away from their mom's, moved from pen/pasture to pen/pasture, jabbed with umpteen needles, and forced to be caught, haltered, walked etc.
This turns my people lovin' little sweethearts into scared little things that run the other way from you, instead of the usual running up to you. It is always hard for me to get pics of the foals, as they follow me around so close when I am with them. Then after weaning, I cannot even look at them! Makes me feel so bad. I think the worst part is the needles....vaccinations, blood drawn for coggins etc.
Does anyone else ever face these things at weaning time?? Makes me sooo sad to see them this way.

Once I give them some time, and just slowly make them reallize the halter is not a weapon, and I am not going to hurt them everytime I carry it, it goes alright, and they once again learn to trust, BUT, it will soon be time for their 2nd round of vaccinations, and it will start all over again.

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