weaning

csimmons · 09-07-2008, 09:59 PM

Most of you have, or are just about to embark on this most dreaded time of year. I'd love to take an informal survey on what you think the easiest weaning method is. I think I've tried them all, and there is at least one problem every year. While I'm thinking about it, I better put the vet's number on speed dial!

**gbarmranch** · 09-08-2008, 04:55 AM

I don't think there is an easier method..

It really depends on the foal - some wean well - others have a hard time - both mare and foal..

Spider and BJ are scheduled to be weaned in the next two weeks.. Prissy and Hannah are moms who will call - a lot - those first few days.. so I imagine that this will be one of the nosier weanings..

kaykay · 09-08-2008, 06:54 AM

I have weaned 3 this year and have 2 to go. I absolutely hate it!! I have also tried all different ways but this is how we do it now.

At about 2 months we start feeding them seperately from their dams one time per day. When they get about 3.5 months we seperate them 2 x per day and we gradually increase the time they are apart. By the time they are about 4.5 months old they are used to being away from their dams and eating well on their own and we officially seperate them.

I still hate it

cowgirlspurs · 09-08-2008, 06:56 AM

Once in a while I will do a side by side weaning but with my upcoming weaning it is a definate extreme seperation. Deena will be locked in the barn and mom will be kicked waaaaaay out back-and there will be no other foals out there with her. Tonka has figured out in previous years how to still nurse her foals through the fence (don't know who is smarter lol). So Deena will be locked up with her brother for company and in a couple of weeks she will be let back out. She's not for sale so will not be back in the same field as her mom until after her mom foals out next year.
This also gives me the chance to work pretty significantly with her while she deals with her mom having "abandoned" her lol

cook1745 · 09-08-2008, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

I don't think there is an easier method..

It really depends on the foal - some wean well - others have a hard time - both mare and foal..

Spider and BJ are scheduled to be weaned in the next two weeks.. Prissy and Hannah are moms who will call - a lot - those first few days.. so I imagine that this will be one of the nosier weanings..

THere is NO easy way!! My filly stayed with mom for aover a year while I tried every method in the book other than cold turkey. All I can say is good luck!!!

carmor07 · 09-08-2008, 07:19 AM

I leave my weanlings with the herd and take mom away.It has worked great for mine.

I then take them out and put them together in a seperate lot alone after a cpl weeks.

barefoot rider · 09-08-2008, 08:26 AM

It really depends ont he mares and foals. We've had mares that we need to do a slow gradual weanings and others once the foals reach 3 months or so couldn't care less if we weaned the foal. The foals seem to follow along this pattern as well. We weaned 2 foals yesterday, cold turkey off the farm. There was no pacing, no screaming, no nothing from either side of the affair. The only issue we had was dinner time came and the mares protested the cut in their rations.

Midnightbobby · 09-08-2008, 08:41 AM

I have never had a foal but I on one of Clinton Anderson's shows that when it's time for weaning your foal just seperate the mare and foal to where they can't hear each other and keep them away for about a year.

_________________

Midnight - My Pride and Joy

**Diamond_Y** · 09-08-2008, 08:46 AM

The easiest weaning we ever had was last year on one colt. We had a prospective buyer coming to look at one colt, but fell for another one who was old enough to be weaned, but we just hadn't got it done yet. They had driven 7 hours to get here and were too good a home to pass up. We weaned him straight into their trailer. Mom turned around and walked back to the pasture and never once called.

This year, all of the weanlings are fine, but we have one mare who keeps calling and stirs everyone up.

foreveryours · 09-08-2008, 09:12 AM

I just weaned my filly this weekend. I took her mom to my friends barn so I can ride her more and left the filly in the field with the other horses & colt. Didn't have any issues with mom yesterday, and the filly called a bit but is fine now... so it was pretty easy.

ThorArb · 09-08-2008, 11:19 AM

I take one to my friends place about 1/2 mile up the road and one stays home. I keep them separated for about 1 month to 2 months, however long it takes for mom to dry up completely then bring them back home. It has worked well for me so far, except for my last foal in 2007. Even after separation like that she came back and STILL wanted to be with her dam. It was a real PIA. Her mom was a push over though, let her get away with everything including letting her nurse even though she was supposed to be weaned.

But the rest of my mares, once they are dried up they wanted little to do with their foals like that.

Brittany

csimmons · 09-09-2008, 01:28 AM

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's had problems. I'm going to try the over the fence thing again. But, I'm sure I end up having to take the mare off the property for a month as usual. I'm kind of relieved this is my last foal. There is always too much to worry about with them.

Midwest Paint · 09-09-2008, 02:40 AM

I know that there will be a variety of opinions about when to wean, and of course how to wean.. any way you look at it, its going to be a challenge and frustrating! If you end up with an easy one, dont let go! LOL!

My latest adventure was with my Ember. Now in the show circuit, I am around many who wean at two months, especially for weanling shows. I was about 3 months in before I did, but had other reasons to go. My mare wasnt doing so hot as she was being quite a little milk producer and was sacraficing her health for the foal. My foal was already eating well on solids in the bins, so it was an ideal time to go ahead. They were stalled together after my mares foaling, and when I weaned I stalled seperately but on the same property.

This posed a minor inconvienance as they still talked and called out to each other. Ember went "horse" two days in, which calmed things a little. I think what really helped speed the process along, as well as gave me many fantastic benefits, was working with her after pulling her off. I spent a ton more time with her doing tons of things, from general play, grooming, exercise, feeding, and just standing around with her, that she built a bond with me. Two weeks into this the calling from her to mom completely stopped. When I would bring her out to run or play, she had no problems not responding to moms call when seen.

My mare was the hardest one. She's a fantastic mom, and wouldnt let go for another month. Now being four months old, they can both be brought into the arena for play together. What was interesting was when they first came back together, my mare wouldnt go near the weanling. They now realize who the other is, but I dont have any of the feeding attempts. Not to mention, my mare can go run off and play, and my Ember stays around me.

Best of luck to all of those out there with this upcoming task!!

*HorseClicks* · 09-11-2008, 07:52 PM

I guess I am just a meanie... I wean cold-turkey. Basically, when the foal is 4-5 months old I will make sure the he has a few buddies that he is used to going out with. Then I will bring him in with his buddies stalled on either side of him, and take the mare right back outside into a paddock on the far side of the property from the usual mare-and-foal paddock. The mare goes out with her friends (who do not have foals). The baby stays in overnight and usually is fine to go outside with his buddies the next morning. There is usually some calling through the night, but generally all is quiet by morning. Most of my mares are relieved to be rid of the little buggers by that time. The foals are used to hanging out with friends, so losing Mom is no big deal.

Goldun Acres · 09-12-2008, 07:05 AM

I'm the meanest yet.

I wean at 3 months(if the foal is ready of course, but most are) and I go cold turkey. Maybe I'm the only one but I somewhat enjoy weaning time; its when babies really start to bond to you.

Anyone else noticed over the years that the fillies are so much easier to wean then the colts?

csimmons · 09-13-2008, 08:34 PM

Yes, my fillies have always made the transition easier than the colts. They're just a bunch of momma's boys!

reiningfan · 09-13-2008, 09:03 PM

I ride my mares when the foals are a little older, so they get used to being away from mom about an hour a day. I also feed them separately, so they are used to being gone now & then. When I actually wean, I try to take one mare at a time and leave her at my grandparent's farm. It a good 20 miles away, so no hollering from the mares. The weanlings rarely notice that their moms are gone, although we have had some really bad ones. And they've all been colts

We have some mares that are idiots at weaning time. Even if the foal is over 5 months old and she has quit letting him nurse much. But most of my mares are really good. In a few weeks, their holiday is over and it's back to work.
I have one mare that will feed any baby who tries. I always take her away last, but feed the heck out of her in the meantime.
I have also done it where the mare stayed at our place. Will never do it again unless I absolutely have to. Too much sreaming and fence fixing. We have a mare here that went through 3 rail fences with an electric stand, plus a 3 strand electic fence. I never want to have to do that again. I tell her owner every year to come get her at weaning time, but I don't think he believes me how bad she is.
Good luck with your weaning.

snickers · 09-15-2008, 11:51 AM

I am in weaning mode now.
One mare went back to her owners and my mare went to a friends.
Out of site, out of mind.
The foals are together with our yearling colt.
Everone is a ok.
I wean with buddies so it is less stressful on them.

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09-07-2008, 09:59 PM
csimmons Weanling Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: delaware Posts: 259	weaning Most of you have, or are just about to embark on this most dreaded time of year. I'd love to take an informal survey on what you think the easiest weaning method is. I think I've tried them all, and there is at least one problem every year. While I'm thinking about it, I better put the vet's number on speed dial! Last edited by csimmons : 09-08-2008 at 10:38 AM.

09-08-2008, 04:55 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,218	I don't think there is an easier method.. It really depends on the foal - some wean well - others have a hard time - both mare and foal.. Spider and BJ are scheduled to be weaned in the next two weeks.. Prissy and Hannah are moms who will call - a lot - those first few days.. so I imagine that this will be one of the nosier weanings.. __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

09-08-2008, 06:54 AM
kaykay Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 543	I have weaned 3 this year and have 2 to go. I absolutely hate it!! I have also tried all different ways but this is how we do it now. At about 2 months we start feeding them seperately from their dams one time per day. When they get about 3.5 months we seperate them 2 x per day and we gradually increase the time they are apart. By the time they are about 4.5 months old they are used to being away from their dams and eating well on their own and we officially seperate them. I still hate it __________________ Breeding AMHA/AMHR/ASPC horses in pinto colors! http://www.baxterspaintedpasture.com Visit our newest site! www.americanshetlandpony.com Miniature Horse Conformation Book by Kay Baxter

09-08-2008, 06:56 AM
cowgirlspurs Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Washago/Severn Bridge Ontario Posts: 1,423	Once in a while I will do a side by side weaning but with my upcoming weaning it is a definate extreme seperation. Deena will be locked in the barn and mom will be kicked waaaaaay out back-and there will be no other foals out there with her. Tonka has figured out in previous years how to still nurse her foals through the fence (don't know who is smarter lol). So Deena will be locked up with her brother for company and in a couple of weeks she will be let back out. She's not for sale so will not be back in the same field as her mom until after her mom foals out next year. This also gives me the chance to work pretty significantly with her while she deals with her mom having "abandoned" her lol __________________ Fufill your fantasies...FG Fantasy Fella

09-08-2008, 07:19 AM
carmor07 Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: tn. Posts: 851	I leave my weanlings with the herd and take mom away.It has worked great for mine.I then take them out and put them together in a seperate lot alone after a cpl weeks.

09-08-2008, 08:26 AM
barefoot rider Weanling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 441	It really depends ont he mares and foals. We've had mares that we need to do a slow gradual weanings and others once the foals reach 3 months or so couldn't care less if we weaned the foal. The foals seem to follow along this pattern as well. We weaned 2 foals yesterday, cold turkey off the farm. There was no pacing, no screaming, no nothing from either side of the affair. The only issue we had was dinner time came and the mares protested the cut in their rations. __________________ Barefoot Farms breeding AQHA and APHA horses with outstanding performance and temperament. www.bffarms.com

09-08-2008, 08:41 AM
Midnightbobby Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 672	I have never had a foal but I on one of Clinton Anderson's shows that when it's time for weaning your foal just seperate the mare and foal to where they can't hear each other and keep them away for about a year. _________________ Midnight - My Pride and Joy

09-08-2008, 08:46 AM
Diamond_Y Administrator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,624	The easiest weaning we ever had was last year on one colt. We had a prospective buyer coming to look at one colt, but fell for another one who was old enough to be weaned, but we just hadn't got it done yet. They had driven 7 hours to get here and were too good a home to pass up. We weaned him straight into their trailer. Mom turned around and walked back to the pasture and never once called. This year, all of the weanlings are fine, but we have one mare who keeps calling and stirs everyone up. __________________ Diamond Y Quarter Horses - Breeders of Quality Foundation Quarter Horses Home of King of Cooke County, 2004 Perlino son of Cooke County ETC

09-08-2008, 09:12 AM
foreveryours Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 828	I just weaned my filly this weekend. I took her mom to my friends barn so I can ride her more and left the filly in the field with the other horses & colt. Didn't have any issues with mom yesterday, and the filly called a bit but is fine now... so it was pretty easy. __________________ My Website(pls sign the guestbook if you visit) Help my dragons hatch & grow!!CLICK HERE

09-08-2008, 11:19 AM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,443	I take one to my friends place about 1/2 mile up the road and one stays home. I keep them separated for about 1 month to 2 months, however long it takes for mom to dry up completely then bring them back home. It has worked well for me so far, except for my last foal in 2007. Even after separation like that she came back and STILL wanted to be with her dam. It was a real PIA. Her mom was a push over though, let her get away with everything including letting her nurse even though she was supposed to be weaned. But the rest of my mares, once they are dried up they wanted little to do with their foals like that. Brittany

09-09-2008, 01:28 AM
csimmons Weanling Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: delaware Posts: 259	I'm glad I'm not the only one who's had problems. I'm going to try the over the fence thing again. But, I'm sure I end up having to take the mare off the property for a month as usual. I'm kind of relieved this is my last foal. There is always too much to worry about with them.

09-09-2008, 02:40 AM
Midwest Paint Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 162	Weaning is no easy task! I know that there will be a variety of opinions about when to wean, and of course how to wean.. any way you look at it, its going to be a challenge and frustrating! If you end up with an easy one, dont let go! LOL! My latest adventure was with my Ember. Now in the show circuit, I am around many who wean at two months, especially for weanling shows. I was about 3 months in before I did, but had other reasons to go. My mare wasnt doing so hot as she was being quite a little milk producer and was sacraficing her health for the foal. My foal was already eating well on solids in the bins, so it was an ideal time to go ahead. They were stalled together after my mares foaling, and when I weaned I stalled seperately but on the same property. This posed a minor inconvienance as they still talked and called out to each other. Ember went "horse" two days in, which calmed things a little. I think what really helped speed the process along, as well as gave me many fantastic benefits, was working with her after pulling her off. I spent a ton more time with her doing tons of things, from general play, grooming, exercise, feeding, and just standing around with her, that she built a bond with me. Two weeks into this the calling from her to mom completely stopped. When I would bring her out to run or play, she had no problems not responding to moms call when seen. My mare was the hardest one. She's a fantastic mom, and wouldnt let go for another month. Now being four months old, they can both be brought into the arena for play together. What was interesting was when they first came back together, my mare wouldnt go near the weanling. They now realize who the other is, but I dont have any of the feeding attempts. Not to mention, my mare can go run off and play, and my Ember stays around me. Best of luck to all of those out there with this upcoming task!! __________________ *Dixon's Red Hot Ember*

09-11-2008, 07:52 PM
HorseClicks Newborn Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 11	I guess I am just a meanie... I wean cold-turkey. Basically, when the foal is 4-5 months old I will make sure the he has a few buddies that he is used to going out with. Then I will bring him in with his buddies stalled on either side of him, and take the mare right back outside into a paddock on the far side of the property from the usual mare-and-foal paddock. The mare goes out with her friends (who do not have foals). The baby stays in overnight and usually is fine to go outside with his buddies the next morning. There is usually some calling through the night, but generally all is quiet by morning. Most of my mares are relieved to be rid of the little buggers by that time. The foals are used to hanging out with friends, so losing Mom is no big deal.

09-12-2008, 07:05 AM
Goldun Acres Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern MN Posts: 1,365	I'm the meanest yet. I wean at 3 months(if the foal is ready of course, but most are) and I go cold turkey. Maybe I'm the only one but I somewhat enjoy weaning time; its when babies really start to bond to you. Anyone else noticed over the years that the fillies are so much easier to wean then the colts? __________________ Lacey @ Goldun Acres R.I.P. Grandpa - Forever* and always in my heart!*

09-13-2008, 08:34 PM
csimmons Weanling Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: delaware Posts: 259	Yes, my fillies have always made the transition easier than the colts. They're just a bunch of momma's boys!

09-13-2008, 09:03 PM
reiningfan Yearling Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western Manitoba, Canada Posts: 516	I ride my mares when the foals are a little older, so they get used to being away from mom about an hour a day. I also feed them separately, so they are used to being gone now & then. When I actually wean, I try to take one mare at a time and leave her at my grandparent's farm. It a good 20 miles away, so no hollering from the mares. The weanlings rarely notice that their moms are gone, although we have had some really bad ones. And they've all been colts We have some mares that are idiots at weaning time. Even if the foal is over 5 months old and she has quit letting him nurse much. But most of my mares are really good. In a few weeks, their holiday is over and it's back to work. I have one mare that will feed any baby who tries. I always take her away last, but feed the heck out of her in the meantime. I have also done it where the mare stayed at our place. Will never do it again unless I absolutely have to. Too much sreaming and fence fixing. We have a mare here that went through 3 rail fences with an electric stand, plus a 3 strand electic fence. I never want to have to do that again. I tell her owner every year to come get her at weaning time, but I don't think he believes me how bad she is. Good luck with your weaning.

09-15-2008, 11:51 AM
snickers Bombproof Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Twilight Zone Posts: 8,853	I am in weaning mode now. One mare went back to her owners and my mare went to a friends. Out of site, out of mind. The foals are together with our yearling colt. Everone is a ok. I wean with buddies so it is less stressful on them. __________________ " You cant fix stupid " Ron White Life is to short to argue with ignorant people.