Weaning time can be stressful, not only for
the mare and foal, but for the owners who have to
listen to the heart-tearing whinnies as the baby
calls for his mother.
However, weaning is both natural and
necessary. In the wild, a mares often become
pregnant again so have to wean the foal to have
available resources to supply the new life growing
inside her. In a domestic situation, it's up to us
to take steps to start the weaning process.
Steps to be taken before weaning:
 The
foal should be used to being with other horses.
That's how he learns about "being a
horse" and what he is supposed to act
like in a herd situation. This comes
naturally to them when mothers are turned out in
herds, but those who have been raised with just
their mother may need some time in a herd before
weaning starts.
The
foal should not be dependent on his mother for his
complete nutritional needs. He should be eating
grass, hay and grain before being weaned.
The
foal should be used to the paddock or stall where
he will be weaned. Check thoroughly for dangers,
such as loose boards, sticking out nails, wore and
bailing twine. All potential dangers must be
removed.
Separate
large, aggressive foals from smaller, more timid
ones during weaning to reduce risk of injuries and
give all better access to feed.
Don’t
leave halters on because they can get caught
cause serious injury or death.
Make
racks a safe height for foals to eat from.
Don’t
forget that foals also need trace-mineralized salt
and a clean, fresh supply of water.
Don’t
deworm foals for the first time at weaning. Deworm
them at least a week before weaning or wait three
weeks after weaning.
Vaccinate
foals three or four weeks before or after weaning.
This
is not the time to get his hooves trimmed, or
teach him to lead or tie.
Foals are usually weaned at about four months
old. Those that spend a lot of time exploring away
from their mother and playing with other
youngsters will have less trouble during weaning.
Sometimes, in the case of orphaned foals, weaning
has to happen earlier.
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