Weaning question
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Weaning question
I'm considering weaning by putting my mares and babies in a paddock and seperating one mare a a time in an adjoining paddock. I have three mares w/foals. I've read of similar practices and would like some input. Has anyone tried this or similar techniques? My paddocks are approx 70' x 70'.
What I have always done is separating them across the farm completely. What most farms do is taking the older foals dams first and leaving the younger foals dams in the field with the just weaned babies. However, I was the manager of a small operation and the best luck I've ever had was taking the foals from the dams and putting them in a field on the other side of the farm. We closed the main gates in case of an escape during the moving. But what I found was that it eased the "pain" of separation. The foals had a new field to explore, had no idea which direction mom was in, so within about 5 - 10 minutes forgot all about mom.
If they are in close proximity, I would think the foals would try to get back to mom and would try to jump the fence.
So, if you have somewhere to put the babies not close to mom at all, that's what I would do. Since you have just 3 do it at the same time, comprimising between the time between the oldest and youngest.
winds
If they are in close proximity, I would think the foals would try to get back to mom and would try to jump the fence.
So, if you have somewhere to put the babies not close to mom at all, that's what I would do. Since you have just 3 do it at the same time, comprimising between the time between the oldest and youngest.
winds
I've never heard of doing it that way. Learn something new everyday. How big are the paddocks? Do they have grass in them or do you have to feed hay? Why did you do it that way rather than moving them away so they can't see or hear each other?
It's a new concept to me and I want to learn as much about it as I can. Might have to do it myself someday. You never know.
winds
It's a new concept to me and I want to learn as much about it as I can. Might have to do it myself someday. You never know.
winds
I only have 10 acres. Theres no way I can separate them to where they cant hear each other unless I ship the mares out. I just put the mare in the adjoining paddock...I might give her just a little tranquilizer. The foal will probably hang with her on his side of the fence, until his buddies mosey away, then he'll just go with them. As long as the other foals don't get excited, he won't either. Seems much kinder to me that they can still see each other; just cant get to each other. In a few days they won't even notice each other. I like to keep a mare with the babies as long as I can; seems to be a calming influence on them all. The screaming back and forth seems to get them the most excited. If they are 8 feet apart (the width of my lanes between my fields),theres little or no crying. The mares never care that they are separated. So the only one upset in a group of mares and foals is one foal, and he doesnt stay upset long.
Well, it sounds like it works. I can't stand the screaming and whinning, so that's why I came up with the moving the babies instead of the mares. If you have the room, which it sounds like you don't, putting the babies in new surroundings keeps them occupied exploring.
I too don't believe in weaning at a young age, I'd rather keep the foal on her longer than not. Of course, you have to monitor the mares' condition and make sure the foal isn't dragging her down. I've been lucky where my mares and foals were in 20 acre fields. I didn't creep feed, just fed everyone in buckets on the fence.
When I moved the foals they were put into a 10 acre field.
Now, it'll have to be different when we get set up in NY, we only have 22.7 acres to work with.
Thank you for explaining what you do.
winds
I too don't believe in weaning at a young age, I'd rather keep the foal on her longer than not. Of course, you have to monitor the mares' condition and make sure the foal isn't dragging her down. I've been lucky where my mares and foals were in 20 acre fields. I didn't creep feed, just fed everyone in buckets on the fence.
When I moved the foals they were put into a 10 acre field.
Now, it'll have to be different when we get set up in NY, we only have 22.7 acres to work with.
Thank you for explaining what you do.
winds
It's interesting to read this thread, because our '07 (May 10th) is about to be weaned.
One of the breeding farm folks told me that weaning is far tougher on the mares than the babies, so the theory of putting them in plain sight, fenced apart makes sense. As for ours, the four previous babies were, frankly, ready to be cut loose from mom. As for mom, she seemed to cry and run the fence line more for her girls than her boys.
This last baby is a BIG girl, so I imagine there will be some yelling. And we kept our mare open this year since she carries SO long (over a year) every time. We'll get an early start in '08.
One of the breeding farm folks told me that weaning is far tougher on the mares than the babies, so the theory of putting them in plain sight, fenced apart makes sense. As for ours, the four previous babies were, frankly, ready to be cut loose from mom. As for mom, she seemed to cry and run the fence line more for her girls than her boys.
This last baby is a BIG girl, so I imagine there will be some yelling. And we kept our mare open this year since she carries SO long (over a year) every time. We'll get an early start in '08.