|
Weaning
Jan 6, 2007 13:34:58 GMT -5
Post by skemper on Jan 6, 2007 13:34:58 GMT -5
Can anyone tell me how long a mare and foal should be separated to make sure the mare's milk has tried up?
Ours have been separated for almost 3 weeks now. The mare's udder looks like it is shrinking but I don't know how much.
Our plan was for 1.5 - 2 months. Does that sound like a good plan?
Thanks!
|
|
|
Weaning
Jan 6, 2007 21:59:17 GMT -5
Post by Just Jolene on Jan 6, 2007 21:59:17 GMT -5
Hi Skemper! Well, it's a little more difficult than that, I am afraid to say. Even if she is no longer producing milk, the foal will still have the urge to attempt to nurse. When we wean, our poor little foals have tried to nurse on everything and anything, even months after seperation from "mom". We never reunite mare and foal before the foal is "grown" and adult. My neighbor did have success turning out a mare and her offspring, after they had been seperated app. 9 - 10 months. The idea is that you seperate them long enough that the offspring no longer identifies the mare as "mom". I hope this helps, and wish you the best of luck! Weanlings are fun.
|
|
|
Weaning
Jan 6, 2007 22:47:08 GMT -5
Post by schwung on Jan 6, 2007 22:47:08 GMT -5
Well, I have only had one weaning experience, and it was with a filly who was very independent from the time she was born, but I just took my mare to another farm for 3 weeks when my filly was 5 months old. The filly handled it great, she called off and on for a couple of hours, then it was done. Never tried to nurse on anything. Put her with another horse as a companion and she was soon just fine. When I brought the mare back back, the mare started whinnying to her filly, but her filly was really uninterested. I kept them separated for a while, but by the time the filly was 7 or 8 months old they could be pastured together because while bonded Tessa never tried to nurse on her dam again.
Again though, Tessa (the filly, now coming 3 this year), is definately a "unique" girl - very independent and confident. I think the key is to completely separate them - so they can't hear each other calling. That makes it so much easier and they forget much quicker.
|
|
|
Post by skemper on Jan 7, 2007 0:04:01 GMT -5
Well, that narrows it down! ;D Phantom, the colt was almost 7 months old before we decided we'd better break down and make it happen. The first night Lacey, the mare, was across the street. Phantom called off and on and Lacey responded occasionally. She hasn't been an overly protective mom. I think she was more excited about being near some different horses than being away from Phantom. The next day we took Lacey to a stable. We were keeping Phantom in a stall at home and the 3rd night he started kicking the walls. He appeared to only want to sleep out in the pen where he usually slept. So we let him out and he's been fine. Our main concern is that Lacey doesn't have a turnout area and she hates being cooped up... not to mention the extra money. We go over regularly to work her some in the arena. Also, Phantom is alone and I don't think I can talk my husband into getting him a companion (maybe if it's temporary?) We don't have a way to keep them separate at home so we need to be sure they're good and ready.
|
|