When is a foal weaned

If allowing the foal to simply eat with the mare, it is important to ensure its nutrient needs are being met. Finally, creep feeders can be built in the environment that allow access to only the foal.

Creep feeders should be designed to allow for easy, safe entry and exit of foals while restricting access of mares to the creep feed. The height and width around 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide for most light horse breeds of the opening must restrict the entrance of mares to the feed source.

Mares may spend large amounts of time trying to enter creep feeders, so sturdiness of construction is important. Some mares may be quite determined to reach the feed, and will even crawl through an opening, requiring manual extraction.

The mare should not be able to reach feed by protruding their head and neck over or through openings, thus defeating the purpose of a creep feeder. As foals characteristically will eat together, feeders must be large enough to accommodate several foals at one time. A foot X foot area should be sufficient for one or two foals; however, it might be too small for a larger number foals. Foals must be able to turn around easily while inside the feeder.

Feeders that are too confining may increase foal stress and injury. Restricting visual contact to mares while the foals are inside the feeder may restrict feeder usage and increase foal injury. Also, multiple entry and exit points will reduce the chance that foals will become panicky because they did not have quick access to an exit. Feeders must be cleaned routinely and soundness of construction checked. Many types of creep feeders are available and the choice will depend on facility design, number of horses etc.

Stall feeders for foals are designed so that only the foals nose fits between the spacing bars, not the mares. Spaces between bars can typically be adjusted. This is especially important in large pastures. At first, foals may need to be shown how to enter a feeder. One method for teaching foals is to place two or three inside for a few minutes and show them the feed. Usually, once foals identify the feed source with the creep feeder, they readily enter and exit without problems.

Foals generally eat small amounts very frequently. Intake of creep feed varies greatly between foals, and from one day to the next with the same foal. Foals may consume 1 pound to 5 pounds of creep feed per day.

Providing smaller allotments during the day, such as when mares are fed, is more desirable than supplying large single feedings. Even though the capacity and appetite of foals of this age guards against overfeeding, large amounts left in creep feeders increase the chance of spoilage and desire of mares to gain access. Feed should be checked at least once daily and any wet or moldy feed should be replaced.

Creep feeds must contain a balanced amount of energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. Many commercially developed rations designed for weanlings will contain appropriate nutrient densities to be used also as a creep feed. A typical creep feed will supply approximately 1. Commercially developed mixes will also contain additional minerals and vitamins. The feed should be highly palatable and coarsely processed to enhance digestion; e.

Pelleted and extruded creep feeds have the advantage of reducing the amount of sorting of individual ingredients. Following separation, the foal usually enters into increased contact with human handlers, with an increased need for behaviors that promote safety for the foal and human. The foal should be taught to accept basic handling and be comfortable and relaxed around humans before weaning.

Haltering, brushing and leading the foal while still on the side of the mare will be helpful for later training. Because weaning can be very stressful, the foal should be in good health before being separated from its dam. Several vaccinations are recommended to begin between 3 months to 6 months of age. For specific needs to be met, vaccination and deworming schedules need the supervision of a veterinarian that is familiar with your farm practices and location.

The choice of age for weaning foals depends on factors such as the health status of the mare and foal, temperament of the mare, the environment into which the foal will be weaned, maturity of the foal at a given age and the level of management on a given farm.

If necessary, foals can be weaned as early as a few days post birth; however, the usual age for weaning is between 4 months and 6 months. Newborn foals rely on the mare for nutrition, protection and security. As such, foals weaned at extremely young ages require intense nutritional and behavioral management, and may not develop some of the natural behaviors associated with horses. By 4 months of age, however, the foal should be eating freely and becoming less dependent on its dam for protection and emotional sup-port.

Weaning before this age may increase weaning stress, especially if environmental conditions are harsh, the foal is not eating grain or the foal is heavily dependent on the mare. Prolonging weaning until 6 months may result in a more robust foal with less social disturbance than foals weaned at an earlier age.

Many breeders prefer to separate a mare with adverse disposition or vices from her foal as soon as advisable. Behavioral tendencies in mares often are repeated in their offspring, however it is difficult to interpret whether this is a result of shared genetics or the environment the mare created for the foal.

Conversely, calm mares that interact readily with humans tend to create foals with similar behavior patterns in their offspring. There are a variety of weaning methods utilized in the horse industry. The management level of the breeding farm, the condition and temperament of the mare and foal, facilities and the number of foals to be weaned during a given period of time will ultimately affect decisions on how foals are weaned.

While long-term studies on different weaning methods and their effects on subsequent growth and development have not yet been performed, many studies have reported on the short-term behavioral and physiological response to weaning methods.

Minimizing stress is critical, as stressed foals may be immunocompromised during this period and more susceptible to gastrointestinal and respiratory pathogens. Behavioral indicators of stress are increased vocalization, movement and loss of appetite.

Physiological indicators such as increased heart rate and cortisol concentrations also accompany the stress of weaning. After that, you should be able to pasture her within sight of the weanling without the two calling out to each other. If, for practical reasons, you must reunite mother and foal in the same pasture, wait at least four months.

By then, most mares will stop producing milk. Both Megan and Dr. Skelly stress the need to minimize any other changes to your foal's routine and surroundings? Introduce any new pasturemates to your foal at least a week before weaning, while his dam is still with him. Skelly explains, "With any new introduction to a herd, horses always have to work out the dynamics. If you turn out a weanling with horses he's not used to, he may make the mistake of trying to nurse from another mare.

Without his mother there to protect him, that can be very risky. Because foals are naturally curious and playful, Megan likes to wean them with other foals, when possible. If other foals aren't available, she recommends finding at least one other "baby sitter" with a tolerant temperament. That can be anything from a gentle, older mare or gelding to an animal of another species, says Dr. Weaning Time Plan to wean your mare and foal in the morning so you can keep an eye on both of them throughout the day.

Work it into their normal routine, keeping the foal in familiar surroundings while leading the mare away as if this were just another temporary separation. Skelly cautions against weaning two foals together in the same stall, as many farms did in the past.

She explains, "Even babies will establish some kind of hierarchy, and one may beat up on the other. If you have many foals, rather than weaning them all at once? This way, says Megan, "you'll still have some calm mares in the weaning pasture. That will make the new weanlings feel safer. Take the mares' adult attachments into consideration, too, adds Megan. It defeats the purpose if the only mare in the pasture is just as upset as the weanlings. This will only prolong the stress and stimulate the mare to continue lactating.

Also, don't be tempted to milk the mare's udder manually. Immediately after separation, it will swell uncomfortably. But, if the milk is not expressed, production will slow and cease in a matter of days. This will help the mare overcome the emotional stress more quickly, says Dr. If you worry that weaning may be particularly stressful for your foal, Megan says it might be worth administering an ulcer preventive starting a week before weaning day. Consult your veterinarian for dosage recommendations.

Megan also advises suspending handling sessions during the first week following weaning. She says, "It's not fair to ask them to focus on anything right now??

After that first week, says Megan, as you ease back into handling your weanling, keep in mind that he is still a baby. Sometimes they're grumpy, happy, agreeable? Your weanling may pick up his feet one week, then refuse to do it the next. Be patient and always end on a positive note. This article originally appeared in the January issue of Practical Horseman magazine.

Read more breeding-related stories in the January issues of the magazine. Common Problems. Jumping Clinic with Beezie Madden. Hoof Care. Rider Health. Senior Horse Care. Schedule Of Events. Travel Sweeps. Colleges And Careers With Horses. Mongol Derby. Practical Horseman Extra.

Basic Training with David O'Connor. Library Section Only. Everything Except Library. Presented by. When Should Foals Be Weaned? Advocates of early weaning suggest this benefits mares and foals because: Maternal milk production decreases dramatically by the third month of lactation, and the nutritional needs of the foal cannot be met by maternal milk supply alone.

Examples of some detriments associated with early weaning include: Altered behavior such as increased long-distance whinny calls and increased elimination, altered feeding and sleeping patterns, though usually temporary; Increased locomotion and therefore increased risk of injuries, also transient; Foal aggression, suspension of play activities, redirected suckling; A potential cause of stereotypical behaviors ; and Negatively affecting the development of a healthy intestinal microbiome.