Q: I am writing from a stud farm where I am doing a practicum in horse management. For one of our exercises, I am required to keep track of questions I have about different breeding and foaling practices I see, ask someone here for their answer or opinion, then look for articles in a popular horse magazine or online. I also must contact a recognized expert working in that field for answers and opinions. Then I must compare the answers and information to make up my own mind for a presentation to the class with the supervisor. The veterinarian told me she thought you would be a good contact for this.

My questions are about things that I’ve heard the staff argue about here. Would you let me know if you are qualified in my topic and willing/have time to answer some of them, or if you know someone else who is better?

1. What is the best age to wean a foal?
2. Is it a good or bad practice to take the afterbirth away from the mare right away so the veterinarian can check it?
3. In the covering barn, why does the foal always get upset just when the stallion jumps on the mare? Is it because the person holding the foal squeezed too tight? It is because the foal is afraid of the stallion hurting the mom?

via e-mail

A: Great project! Let your supervisor know what a good job she is doing. And I would love to know the opinion you reach and why when you are finished