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Weaning
Jun 21, 2007 16:15:46 GMT -5
Post by calypso on Jun 21, 2007 16:15:46 GMT -5
Recently we had a discussion about HOW to wean - can we have one about WHEN to wean? The books say when the baby is 4-6 six months. We'll, for a baby that is quite a spread. So, what do y'all think? What's your experience been?
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Weaning
Jun 21, 2007 16:24:56 GMT -5
Post by wendyp on Jun 21, 2007 16:24:56 GMT -5
I don't have much experience with this, but I weaned my filly at 8 or 9 months- but by then, her dam had pretty much weaned her from nursing.........and even then, she stayed close to her mom, and eventually was corraled with her mom. She is three years old now, and I lost her mom to colic in April. Jessi (filly) is much calmer without her - I think she now has to rely on me, instead of her dam, and that has made a big difference in her personality. Her dam was a little higher strung, not bad, but........
Sometimes they have to be weaned early due to the mare's condition in trying to support a large foal, but I think the longer they are with the dam, the better. However, after weaning, I wouldn't put them back in together for a very long time.............
Just my two cents................
WendyP/Bend, OR
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Weaning
Jul 26, 2007 12:25:53 GMT -5
Post by cutiepiepmu on Jul 26, 2007 12:25:53 GMT -5
When weaning - I shoot for a standard at 6 months. however, prior to that by at LEAST a month, the baby should have access to a creep feeder and be started eating some of what they will eat after weaning. DO NOT start a vitamin/mineral supplement for at least 30 days post weaning - the baby won't need it at tha tpoint and it can make their systems upset. Weaning before 6 months in my opinion is not as healthy for the foal - their systems can not digest hay fully before 5 months of age at the earliest and you risk nutritional gaps. The only time I remove a baby is if a stud colt is mounting mom... At that point obviously it is time.
Growing up raising working cow horses, and now with my drafts and my light horses - I have seen horses weaned as early as 3 months and as late as 12-14. IMO 3-4 months is WAY too early and anything over 8 months(unless the baby is small/weak/ill) is way too long. Alot also depends on if you will be breeding the mare back about when you wean.
shoot for 6 months and you should be fine - get a good recipe together and put together a creep feeder for baby as well. If you need help with this PM me!
Sara in WA
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Weaning
Jul 26, 2007 12:56:43 GMT -5
Post by calypso on Jul 26, 2007 12:56:43 GMT -5
Thank you!
Diva has been eating hay and grain since about 1 month of age! She takes after her mom in being willing and able to vacuum up anything edible within reach! She's 4 months old and they are on pasture with two other mom/baby combos - and have been 24/7 for a couple of months. Kaleigh has grown into being a sweet mom, but I do think she'll probably wean the baby herself without any help from us. I'll keep you posted.
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Weaning
Jul 26, 2007 13:00:38 GMT -5
Post by icehorse on Jul 26, 2007 13:00:38 GMT -5
My vet says 4 months is just fine, and even recommends it especially if it is taking a huge toll on mom, after worming and upping the feed. Some vets even say that at 3 months is fine and that the foals do a lot better than if they'd stayed on mom for 6 mos to a year. With our filly I waited 6 months because I thought that was standard, but her condition(the mares) detiorated rapidly after 4 months and she's a super easy keeper. So I'd base it on mom's appearance, and of course if they are able to eat and digest their hay and foal grain.
oh also, I kept them separate for several months, and when I put them back together, mare started lactating again(and filly started nursing)....so yes, keeping them apart for as long as possible is a good idea.
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Weaning
Jul 27, 2007 3:09:16 GMT -5
Post by cutiepiepmu on Jul 27, 2007 3:09:16 GMT -5
I agree with watching mom's condition - but alot of research has been happening in the last few years showing the benfits of leaving a foal with mom till around 6 months of age - all related to digestion and nutrient absorbtion. A baby can not fully digest solid food like hay and grain until minimum of 4-5 months - so, although they are able to EAT it, their bodies can not process the nutriion out as effectively as a horse who is older. Yes, many babies are weaned at 3-4 months of age and do fine, but in my own personal experience, leaving baby a little longer ends up with a healthier adult horse with less growth issues Just my own experience and some of the research I have read and heard - lots and lots and lots of this talked about while I was finishing school for nutrition LOL!! I think that when to wean will be one of those debates that falls in the same catagory as what to feed!! Sara in WA
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