| A veterinarian recently told me she was visiting a client | | | | can see each other. |
| and saw what looked to be a fully grown horse | | | | 3.Slowly move foal and dam farther and farther away |
| nursing on another horse. The client told her that oh | | | | from each other, until they can no longer see or hear |
| yes, those two were mother (20 years old) and son | | | | one another. (Don't just yank them away one day, |
| (16 years old). They had never been separated, and | | | | never to see each other again!) |
| thus, the baby had never been weaned! The 16 year | | | | 4.Handle your baby horse as much as possible. |
| old gelding was utterly useless, according to the client, | | | | Bonding and socialization with humans is a great way |
| as he could not be led (much less ridden!) too far | | | | to not only to ease the weaning process for your foal, |
| away from his mother without going into extreme | | | | but also to help him build trust in the human-horse |
| panic mode. He had also remained at the bottom of | | | | relationship. |
| the pecking order for years and years in the herd, | | | | Apart from the above steps, the rest of the weaning |
| subject to the whims of even the weakest | | | | process is as much an art as it is a science. A baby's |
| newcomers. His mother had grown weary of | | | | desire to stay with its mother is a very basic instinct, |
| defending him over time, and so he was covered in | | | | so it's readily apparent that weaning a foal, assuming |
| little wounds shaped like teeth marks and old | | | | you don't want to scar him for life, is a serious |
| hoof-shaped scars from head to tail. | | | | endeavor, and one you want to get right. |
| This situation, though (hopefully) a rare one, teaches us | | | | A few things to keep in mind: |
| that weaning a baby horse at the right time and in the | | | | 1.If the dam is a bad role model (that is, if she has bad |
| right way is an important part of that baby horse's | | | | habits or other behaviors you don't want the foal to |
| growth and development, both as your riding partner | | | | adopt), you might consider weaning your foal earlier |
| and a member of the herd. | | | | rather than later. |
| The "ideal" age to wean your baby horse will vary | | | | 2.If your foal is ill, postpone the weaning process until |
| from individual to individual, but most commonly, | | | | she is well. |
| weaning takes place between four and six months of | | | | 3.Keep the surroundings as familiar as possible for |
| age. | | | | both baby and mother, and make sure the baby's area |
| Although it seems like everyone out there has a "best" | | | | is secure and safe. |
| way of doing it, there are several very general steps | | | | At the end of the day, you know your horses better |
| involved in weaning: | | | | than anyone else. And if you really get into trouble, talk |
| 1.Make sure your baby horse is able to eat solid food, | | | | to your veterinarian or consult with your horse-owning |
| hay, and grass easily before beginning the weaning | | | | neighbors. Chances are, someone has dealt with |
| process. | | | | something similar to what you're going through, and can |
| 2.Once you have decided the time is right, separate | | | | help. |
| the two from one another, but keep them where they | | | | |