2006-06-21 07:48:37 · 12 answers · asked by b 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Anywhere between 3-6 months.Anytime before 3 months can be dangerous.Although sometimes if the mare is dangerous this needs to be done but the foal still needs milk if under 3 months old.I generally weaned mine around 4 -5 months old and it has always worked well for me.Watch your foal and see how much solid food he or she is eating,this can also be a helpful gage.Hope this helps.
2006-06-21 08:05:16 · answer #1 · answered by NicoleinPA 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The foal should be eating well...watch the mare too. If she starts drying up at 5-6 months there's no point in leaving the foal on. If she's losing weight, remove the foal. If the foal is over 6 months and she is still milking heavy put her inside, discontinue all grain and give just hay. After a couple days remove the foal. Watch her closely - if she doesn't start drying up she can get mastitis (NOT GOOD).
I've weaned at 4 months (not intentionally - mare hit by lightning, foal lived). Six months is better.
2006-06-21 14:15:49 · answer #2 · answered by Jan H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the health of the foal and the mare. If both are well, 6 mos. is a good time to start weaning. I had a neighbor that separated her foal and mare at three months. I thought it was too soon, but she supplemented the colt's diet well and neither has any obviously adverse effects. If left alone, I've heard that a mare will continue to allow the foal to nurse until it is 2-3 years old.
2006-06-21 08:25:09 · answer #3 · answered by kelisman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The longer you can leave a foal with momma up to a year the better, that is providing that neither mare or foal are lacking in nutrition, they can be weaned earlier if needed. if the mare rejects the foal, you can feed foal-lac after it gets the first feedings, I usually leave them with the mare till about 6 months. People who show their mares will wean sooner, about 4 months. As for breeding the mare while nursing there is no problem the mare will still nurse, you should wait for the mares second heat after birthing.
2006-06-21 08:34:29 · answer #4 · answered by Diane M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to wait until the foal is at least 6 months and readily eating grain...which it most assuredly will be. Some people do wean them earlier, as young as 2-3 months, but it can stunt their growth.
Mares will actually let the foals nurse until they turn about 2 years of age if you don't separate them. I read a study on wild horses that showed this...pretty interesting.
2006-06-21 08:01:47 · answer #5 · answered by mtngrl7500 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like to wean my foals at age 4 months. By then they are eating well on their own and can contiue to grow without milk. But make sure you feed a quality foal feed!
2006-06-21 09:12:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! The foal might want to commence to objective to nurse from the mare back, and maximum likely the mare will settle for the foal back as a suckling. she will be in a position to develop into motherly of the foal all yet back, and view to re-wean them. they ought to no longer be jointly back until eventually the foal has had a lengthy time period to mature and improve. I.e..... a minimum of until eventually he's a yearling.
2016-10-20 11:23:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
mares generally start weaning their foals at 6 months, or right b4 they're ready to become pregnant again.
2006-06-21 07:52:25 · answer #8 · answered by kelleygaither2000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely no less than 6 weeks, but somewhere in the 2-4 months range is best.
2006-06-21 07:52:22 · answer #9 · answered by imacowboygirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wouldn't do it any earlier than 6 months... can go as late as a year. The mare will let you know when she's had enough.
2006-06-21 10:09:26 · answer #10 · answered by . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋