Weaning Foals

Copper1272 · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:38 pm Post subject: Weaning Foals

Just wondering when everyone starts weaning their babies. My filly is 3 mos and I was going to leave her on till 6 mos. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts were?

Ranchy · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:43 pm Post subject:

That seems about right to me........of course the last "baby" I had anything to do with weaning, was my Soxin, and I was 12....... Laughing

Copper1272 · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:58 pm Post subject:

We only had one baby this year as we knew we were moving this year and didnt want a herd of 20 to take with us. I know the previous years we took em off at about 3-4 mos because they were sold. I have seen better results with some friends babies leaving them on longer so was just wondering what everyone else was doing. We are keeping this one so no hurry to wean her.

PPRM · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:37 pm Post subject:

I've left them on as long as a year. I don't get in a hurry, but if i am rebreeding the mare, 6-10 months. I don't get in too big of a hurry,

PPRM

Faster horses · Rancher Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 19605 Location: SE MT

I don't have any mares so I don't know that much about colts.

However, I do work with a nutrition company, so perhaps I can help with
the nutrition aspect of it.

Leaving a colt on a pregnant mare too long can often cause problems with the colt she is bearing. When sucking colts are left on the mare too long, the nutrients go to the colt at side and not to the fetus. This can result in some wierd things like leg problems when the colt is born that she is pregnant with.

Another thing, mares need mineral supplement. They might get by without it, but at some point they are going to run out of steam and the
colt could be affected. Usually you won't notice much of a problem
until the mare is 7 or 8 years of age.

Hope this helps. I'd hate for problems to arise when they could be avoided.

Northern Rancher · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:31 pm Post subject:

Well we kind of are old fashioned-we foal on grass and let the mare wean her foal herself-most of them start to dry off as winter wears on anyway. I'm a big believer in letting horses grow out a bit slower and not pushing them too hard-we plan on using them a long time so let them grow at their own pace-it's worked for 90 years here so not gonna change soon.

Copper1272 · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 7:57 am Post subject:

NR- We are starting to swing to this belief as well. Experimenting along the way.

FH- We didn't rebreed any of our mares this year as we knew we were moving and want to be set up at the new place before foaling out our mares again. All of our horses are on mineral and salt. Thank you for the information though. Can never learn too much.

I guess this filly will be our test dummy this year as we re-evaluate our procedures for weaning. I would like to get things back to a more natural environment for them.

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CattleRMe · Member Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 886 Location: Nebraska

Around 6 months is when they get taken off the mare here.

ranch hand · Member Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 584 Location: USA

9 months here, mares have already kicked them off and it is not a major episode in the colts life as long as they are with their buddies for awhile.

Heart's Content Ranch · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:10 pm Post subject:

I breed mostly foundation Quarter horses, but also have a few Arab/Quarter crosses. I usually wean between 4-6 months. Depends on the condition of the mare, if she is bred back and how well the foal is doing. Mine are fed a mare and foal feed in addition to hay. I start advertising the foals for sale while they are still on their mamas and tell prospective buyers that they will have to stay here until I feel that they are ready to be weaned.

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