Weaning Strategies

No one looks forward to weaning time. There’s nothing quite as heart-rending as the sound of a panicky foal, galloping up and down the fence line calling desperately for the mother who’s been taken away–unless it’s the sound of his dam calling

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No one looks forward to weaning time. There’s nothing quite as heart-rending as the sound of a panicky foal, galloping up and down the fence line calling desperately for the mother who’s been taken away–unless it’s the sound of his dam calling back! It’s no wonder so many horse owners dread this duty; it pushes the guilt buttons like nothing else.


Still, we know that weaning is a necessary part of the process of growing up for a foal. It’s also important for the mare’s well-being, particularly if she has been bred back and is carrying next year’s foal, because nursing makes significant demands on her nutritional resources and can leave her looking like a hat rack. Wrenching though it may be, it’s got to be done. The question, then, is how to make weaning as painless as possible.







SHAWN HAMILTON


The presence of another foal appears to be intimidating for many new weanlings

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Written by:

Karen Briggs is the author of six books, including the recently updated Understanding Equine Nutrition as well as Understanding The Pony, both published by Eclipse Press. She’s written a few thousand articles on subjects ranging from guttural pouch infections to how to compost your manure. She is also a Canadian certified riding coach, an equine nutritionist, and works in media relations for the harness racing industry. She lives with her band of off-the-track Thoroughbreds on a farm near Guelph, Ontario, and dabbles in eventing.

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