Weaning can be a very
stressful time in a young animal’s life. There are steps that can be taken
before, during, and after weaning to help decrease the stress levels of the
foal and mare. Having a plan for how and when to wean will aid in lessening the
amount of stress they experience.
Pre-Weaning
Foals who are accustomed
to eating grain generally will continue to eat during the weaning process.
Creep feeding supplies a separate feed source for the nursing foal. Creep
feeding can begin as early as two weeks after birth. During this time there
will be little consumption; the foal will mainly nibble and play with the grain.
As the foal gets older and its nutritional needs increase, it will increase its
feed in-take. The amount of feed a foal will eat in a day can vary greatly,
from one to five pounds. It is best to provide small amounts of feed throughout
the day versus large single feedings. The grain the foal needs has a much
higher nutrient content than what the mare needs. Because of this, it is
important to restrict the mare from accessing this grain. Using a creep feeder
is one way to accomplish this if there is a larger group of mares and foals. If
there are only two or three mares with foals, tying the mare in a stall while she
eats and feeding the foal in a separate feeder may be easiest. Creep feeders
should be designed for easy and safe entry and exit by the foals. Creep feeders
should be made to restrict the mares’ access and large enough to hold at least
two to three foals. There should be multiple entry and exit points to reduce
stress for the foals. Location is key, especially in larger pastures. The creep
feeder should be put in an area that is frequented by the foals and mares, such
as a loafing, feeding, or watering area. Most commercial creep feed rations
will contain all the nutrients the foal needs in the correct amounts. The feed
should be highly palatable. Using pelleted or extruded feed will decrease the
amount of sorting of individual ingredients of a textured feed.
During this time, a
deworming and vaccination program should be discussed with your veterinarian to
ensure a healthy foal at weaning. Thirty to 45 days before you plan to wean,
the mares and foals should be moved to the area where weaning will occur. This
will allow the foal to become familiar with its environment and will help
decrease stress levels.
Weaning
Most foals are weaned
at four to six months of age. At four months the mare’s milk is no longer
providing adequate nutrition, the foal should be eating grain and forages, and
shouldn’t be as dependent on the mare for protection and emotional comfort. There
are, however, certain circumstances where weaning would happen earlier or
later. If a mare has vices or temperament
issues it may be beneficial to wean early so the foal does not learn that
behavior. If the foal is in poor health around normal weaning time, it may be
beneficial to wean later once the foal is healthy again. Your situation will
dictate when will be the best time to wean.
There are a number of
different weaning methods that can be used. Abrupt or complete weaning is when
the mare and foal are completely separated from all contact (sight, sound,
smell, touch). This method requires little labor and management, however is
very stressful on the mare and foal. Incomplete or fence-line weaning separates
the mare and foal with a common fence line. This method allows for visual and
olfactory (smell) contact, but not physical contact (nursing). After several
days to a week the mare and foal should be moved completely away from each other.
Gradual separation is also an option, but requires more labor and management.
With this system the mare and foal are separated for a certain amount of time
each day, with the frequency and length of visits being shortened over five to
ten days until finally the foal never returns.
No matter which system
is used weaning multiple foals at the same time can help decrease stress. If
there are no other foals to be weaned, using a companion animal like a goat can
help provide comfort to the foal. During the weaning process, especially with
in the first 12 to 24 hours, the foal should be monitored closely. They should
be in an area that is free from protrusions to prevent possible injuries. Also
keep in mind that any opening larger than the foal’s hoof has the potential to
trap the whole leg.
Post-Weaning
Once the foal is
weaned, it is important to keep it on a good nutrition, exercise, and health program
and be handled regularly. Foals should be kept in a moderate body condition and
should avoid extreme shifts in body weight and diet. This will allow the
weanling to grow at a consistent rate and have less structural problems. Pasture
turn-out with weanlings of similar ages has several advantages including
exercise. Free access to regular exercise has been shown to be important for
proper bone growth and strength and hoof development. How weanlings are handled
will vary depending on the use of the weanlings. Weanlings should be taught how
to accept their handlers and how to behave for routine experiences, like having
their hooves trimmed and standing to be brushed. You should also talk with your
veterinarian and come up with a health program, to include vaccinations and
deworming.
Mare Care During Weaning
Weaning is also a
stressful time for the mares. Most mares will calm down quicker than their
foal, especially if they have had foals in the past. If a mare still has
significant milk production at the time of weaning, you should decrease the
amount of grain about five days before weaning. Increasing exercise can also
help decrease the amount of milk production. If the udder becomes tight, a
small amount of milk can be milked by hand. Repeated milking should be avoided
because it will continue to stimulate milk production, and the goal of weaning
is to stop milk production.
Weaning can be very
stressful but by having a good weaning program in place, that stress can be
minimized. Contact your County Extension Agent if you have more questions about
foal weaning management.
