Weaning question!

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JennyB

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We have always weaned at 4-6 months depending on the size of the foal, how well they were doing and if the mare was loosing weight or not. I don't know if any others had read a recent Eqqus article about waiting to wean until at least a year?

They had taken some wild horses and had put them in the same stressful situations that domestic horses where used to. It seems that the wild horses didn't develop many bad behavior habits that domestic horses developed. They feel that this may be because wild horses are of course not weaned from their dams until the next foal is born. We of course for many different reasons can't do this, but it was suggested to try(if possible) to wean as old as possible. Then when you do wean, take baby away-next to the mare for only an hour a day. Keeping the mare close to the foal during the whole process. Weaning early doesn't allow a foal to get complete behavior abilities for LIFE from dam and or others. This places the foals under stress and they can develop bad behavior habits such as; cribbing, pacing, kicking walls, biting themselves, meaness towards other foals, etc. Could this also cause ulcers, colic, more general illness too?

What are your feelings about this topic?

I am going to leave my April colt with his dam all winter and see what he is like as he matures after I wean him the following spring. I will be gelding him very soon.

Thanks,

Jenny

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Nope...not me. Do they go on to say how easy the foals are to actually socialise at this age?? They are obnoxious brats when weaned at a year- they think they are God's gift- in fact I think half the trouble with kids today is that they are allowed to hang around at home too long
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My foals come off, nice and gentle, no "cold turkey" here, between 4-5months max. This has always suited the mares (in fact I have had mares whose foals I have not intended weaning just yet come up and hand theirs in voluntarily!!) and it seems to suit the foals. What, for example, happens if the mare has another foal?? Foal loses the colostrum and dies, that's what. Also, wild mares have a high reabsorbtion rate due to the "old" foal still nursing, so go every other year. I've looked at this one from every angle and I've come to the conclusion that there is nothing natural about weaning- in the wild foals stay on the mare till they lose interest and wander off. Then, if they are colts they are driven out under extreme circumstances by the stallion. A lot die at this time. If they are fillies, depending on which of the five behaviour groups the horse belongs to, they are either driven out too, or they are mated. OK- so we do not wean our foals and we breed our yearlings- sound acceptable?? Can't have it both ways!! Weaning "cold trurkey" is, IMO what does the psychological damage, when damage is done. If you do not do this, you do not get damage. My foals do not go back with their Mamas at all, once separation is complete, and they grow into healthy normal, well disciplined little thugs!! I'm sure many people will defend "cold turkey" I do not do to my foals what I would not wish to be done to me, that's just me.
 
We generally wean in September/October as all our foals are at least four-six months by then, and the worst summer heat is passed. This year we had a couple of thin mares and sold foals so weaned many at four months.

We have left foals and let the mare wean, this usually happens between January-February, so two to three months before the next foal is born. I'm a believer in later versus earlier as the foals mostly nurse for comfort/security as they age.

We've also had foals that at two-three months have nothing more to do with their dams, so have effectively weaned themselves, even though they're in with their dam still.

So, many of our weanings occur on an individual basis - health of the mare, mentality/attitude of the foal, etc. Although they're never weaned alone!
 
I wean in groups, about 4 or 5 months of age. I go by the moon phase which starts again this coming Sat and my last 8 will come out, 2 will stay in the big herd because one is very young and one is sold, along with the dam and the new owner wants them to stay together and it's good as it'll give the late foal a playmate. I don't know about leaving them all winter with the dam, I've never tried it, I just don't think I would unless there was a specific reason of none that I can think of. But I don't think theirs a wrong or right way either. Mares are different, peoples set ups are different and so many different situations too. I think whatever works for each person is ok, just do it and don't worry what others think.
 
Hi Jenny, I also read the Equus article and felt it made a lot of sense...We try to wait as long as possible to wean our foals and find that they practically wean themselves and when we do ultimately totally wean them there is very little whining that goes on.. The very earliest that we wean is 6 months and that is only if the foal is sold and the owner wants them that soon. Jane is right about some of the mares will take a year off from having another foal..however I don't think this is a bad thing...it really serves my breeding program well since I have enough mares that it is nice to have the mares take a year off...Some don't take the time off and will breed and not absorb the pregnancy (if that is what happens) and goes on to carry a live foal.. She will wean the foal at her side in plenty of time not to effect milk production for the new one..I haven't noticed that the ones that are left on their dams are any brattier than those that are weaned earlier...I find that personalities tend to be more genetic...I will add that with my colts they will be totally weaned no later than 8 months for fertility safety sakes..
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Of course this is just my opinion and works for me..
 
Hi Jenny!
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We wean in pairs or groups too. So, to make sure they all have a buddy, some may be four months and some may be five months at weaning time.

MA
 

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