To wean or not to wean or when to wean!

[Deleted]

Weaning time is looming, I have been pondering how to do this. Blossom is very chilled, often being aseep in the shelter on her own whilst mum is down the bottom of the field. She doesn't mind coming into the yard on her own for a leading lesson, though still uses mum as a milk bar. They now have aunty Holly in with them, who Blossie gets on with very well. I could send mum away, but am a little reluctant to do this. A neighbour just put her foal in the next field with its companion and left mum on the other side of the fence. I rather think this could work as they could still see each other but not suck. They are not 'clingy' , so I am wondering if this would be the least stressfull for both of them. has anyone else done it this way? Any views would be welcome.

[Debbie]

No advice from me I'm afraid. Just sending along 'smooth weaning vibes' for little Blossom and you

[Anna]

I have heard it done that way with success but I would much rather make it a clean split as if there is any clingyness it would be my worst nightmare if one or the other tried to climb over a fence to get to the other. Even if its a case of bringing your mare into a stable if you have one with a radio on for a few days to get over the intial upheaval, or even 2/3 fields apart.

[sammy]

Agree, I would never ever, just have a fence between any of mine. I have done weaning before having mare in one stable, foal in the next at night (they could see each other through mesh partition) and together outside during the day. Did this for a couple of weeks and one day just seperated them, replacing another quiet pony in the mares stable.
Have also done abrupt, this was because I had to. I brought mare and foal in to a stable and turned the mare around and took her several fields away. I did have another foal in the next stable for company and they could see and smell each other.
This year I will bring the yearlings in and put the foal in the middle stable, so she will have company either side of her. Her mare hates being stabled otherwise I may have considered weaning her slowly!
Best of luck whatever you decide!!

[lucydales]

I weaned Tim at 9 months cos he was trying (with more success!) to mate his Mum! We had a colic episode but all settled well quite quickly. I had them separated by a field and two hedges.

Here's the blog, start at the bottom of page 1.

dalesfans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=story&action=display&thread=14011&page=1

And Tim's view of weaning!

dalesfans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=story&action=display&thread=14040

I dislike early weaning intensley, it is custom and practice to keep mares out of work for the least time, but is not how horses would naturally bring up foals, and it's great for starting ulcers and behavioural problems! Gradual weaning increasing the separation times is best IMHO.

If your mare is coping well and not getting pulled down, then I wouldn't wean til next year when the grass starts coming again (she's not in foal again is she?)

Amy had ribs when we weaned but put the weight back on really quickly! If I'd had a filly, I'd have left her on a lot longer!

Good luck whatever you decide.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the advice folks, I've been putting off doing anything, thought she's now 6 months. I am glad to hear that some of you leave them later as I would prefer that, though mum is not as fat as I'd like, but I think that is also because she herself is still young and not filled out yet. They share a big bucket of food, but will be coming in soon, I think I too will put them in adjoining stables, as I can make a 'hole in the wall' so they can see each other. That way they can both get the right food as well. She already spends more time with her companion, 'Aunty Holly'

[Daftmare]

I have just weaned Cheyenne off her mum at the grand age of 18 months!! As I wasnt in a rush to sell her or anything else I thought well she would get a much better start in life left with mum and as Amber hadnt dropped any weight then it seemed the right thing to do. Last summer at one year old I split them either side of an electric fence to dry up Ambers milk I figured in the wild then Amber would have had another foal by then and Cheyenne would no longer be feeding. After a few weeks they went back in together and I separated them finally 2 weeks ago by turning Cheyenne out with another pony and her baby and Amber has stayed put on the yard. Amber was getting cranky with her and I believed was telling me she had had enough. Everything went fine and other than Cheyenne whinnying a couple of times there have been no problems. I do think nature knows best and a wild horse would stay with mum till she foaled again the following year. I have weaned at 6 months too but those were babies I was selling on. So for me if I'm keeping it on it stays with mum till mums had enough and if its sold its weaned for sale.

[dalesponyrider]

It's nice to read of someone else doing this. Penley is still not weaned at 8 months and both Mum and lad are doing ok I think.

[felldale]

Lyric and Jet are still on their mums too - they will be 8 months old next week.

[dollylanedales]

Wilbur is just 7 months, and with him showing too much interest in his field mates, he will be weaned at the end of February. Had he been a filly, he would have stayed with his mum like the two girls did, until he was around 11 months!!

[cadeby]

Vanguard is still with his mum Gem and he's approaching 10 months of age. She is having a year off from babies and he isn't pulling her down so it was logistically easier for me to leave him on her over the winter. Plus she actually likes this baby (unlike her first two ) and doesn't seem anxious to get shot of him.

I plan to wean him in about 2 weeks. He will go in with Tetley and Granny Cadeby who will keep both youngsters in order

[Deleted]

:'(well it seems that things have been decided for me, so much for plans! she's been in a separate stable to mum at nights for a month, but together during the day, till Wednesday, when she came in hopping lame. Seems she has been kicked on her patella, very sore, and on a weeks box rest, which I must say she's taken to very well, though we make sure she's always got someone next door for company, old Holly still has her uses, being daytime nanny and then going out at night, when mum comes in. Not very happy though, no improvement yet, must have been a helluva kick. she'll have to be xrayed if not improved in a week. Rather worried! Poor little Blossom

[Debbie]

Things rarely go as planned