Age of Foal/Naturally away from Mare

[lolaelsa]

In the wild, will a young horse stay with it's mother until the time that she is nearing the end of her next pregnancy (and then she will chase him/her off)?

At what age is a foal separated from its mother in a domesticated horse and is it the later the better? At what age have they learned all that they can from her and/or the herd (wild and domestic)?

Also, if you buy a weanling, should you really have your own land/yard to keep it (with your other horses). I can't quite see how it's possible to keep a foal in a rented field or at livery. How can you be "mummy" in that situation? ie. if you are visiting once or twice a day. Where do you put your new foal?:confused:

[Dizzy]

I think there are many, many views on this subject. Firstly with weaning, I prefer to let nature take its course. My horse Breeze was home grown, at the livery yard I was at, there was a huge herd of horses of mixed ages, turned out over 3 or 4 big fields - the gates were all open so they had freedom to roam.

As Breeze grew more independant, she would hang out with horses of a similar age, but pop back to Mum for a suck. Sometimes she bugged the hell out of her Mum, but when Mum had had enough, she'd make it clear in no uncertain terms that she was pushing her luck and give her a bit of discipline. She was also squared up by different members of the herd as she's quite pushy and determined. This taught her far more than I ever could have.

I know some folk wean them because they think a boistrous foal is annoying the Mum. I'm a Mum to a boistrous, playful, determined 3 yr old daughter, there are times I feel like locking her in a cupboard under the stairs :D but really she's just learning her social skills and being taught what is acceptable and what isn't. To me thats what the mares are doing. Yes at times its stressful, but thats what being a Mum is all about

I know I was very lucky, not everyone has my circumstances. I feel very sorry for foals that are weaned early and sold, or weaned early and have to much human contact, (basic handling, taught to lead, accept being touched all over and pick up thier feet is enough - the rest can wait). Thier social education to mix with other horses hasn't formed, when they get a bad response they don't have thier Mums reassurance to make them feel secure. Living with other horses is a natural learning curve for them, they are disciplined and taught respect.

I'm glad my horse had this education, she has one of them natures that will never be defeated, she's had 2 nasty kicks, I've found her in field licking her wounds - as soon as she recovered she's there pushing her luck again, she's only 4, she's out with 3 others all older than her, she's moved from being bottom of the pile to queen of the heap in 2 years. She's confident, and accepts that respect is earned - and by God does she earn it, she's no bully, she just absolutely stands her ground.

I hate the idea of any horse being turned out alone, especially a foal, they need other horsey company. I know this isn't always possible, if they must be turned out without another horse, a couple of pet lambs, a donkey or a goat can help.

Lesley

[myEllie]

I have a different opinion that Dizzy. I don't think hers is wrong, and I hope that she won't think mine is; they're just different. Of the several foals that I have helped take care of, all of them were weaned at around six months of age. Honestly, by that time, most of the mares were tired of having the foals around them and the foals were more interested in the other horses. At that time, the foals were moved into another barn while the mares stayed in the barn they were in. They each had turnout in separate fields at opposite ends of the property. I think that it is very important, especially with foals, that they can be around other horses, particulary other foals, but if not, a pony or donkey, or even a calm older gelding. It makes it easier to adapt.

I am a firm believer in exposing horses to as many situations as possible. This includes putting a halter on them and teaching them to lead beside their mothers from day one. Then comes getting them used to been touched all over their bodies and having their feet handled with a fuss. Later you can get them used to clippers, not actually clipping them, because I like foals when they are fuzzy, but just getting them used to the sounds and the feeling of clippers vibrating against their body. I would recommend teaching him to load and taking him along with mum if she goes to horse shows or if you have to travel to lessons. Get him used to bags blowing and flags flapping in the wind, as well as seeing trucks and farm equipment like tractors and the like. Eventually the horse will need to be exposed to all of this and it is so much eaiser if it is done when he is younger. Of course, he will still need time to be a baby and play.

[ros]

Dizzy - I agree with every single word you've said.

myEllie - I agree with a lot of what you've said, but I still think 6 months is too early to wean a foal (it's been scientifically monitored that they're still emotionally dependent on their mothers until around 7 months, although some obviously grow up quicker than others); I also think that a foal should have the company of horses of different ages, as happens in a natural herd environment (but of course that isn't always possible, I know).

I'm all for getting youngsters used to necessities like hoof-picking, leading and so on, and to a certain extent I don't think it does any harm to get them used to paper bags, hosepipes, traffic and the rest of it - although they encounter plenty of scary situations out in the field without our adding to them! What I DON'T like is people doing things like putting bits in their mouths, lungeing and other grown-up stuff like that. Done properly with a youngster that's been correctly and kindly handled, it takes no time at all to get a 3-year old used to wearing a bit, so what IS the point of doing it when it's still a baby?

And that's the trouble - an awful lot of people seem intent on pushing their youngsters to the limit either because they regard them as toys or, more likely, because they're scared that they must do all this stuff now because they won't be able to when the foal becomes a big strong horse!

[RoxR]

I had Roxy when she was only five months old. This was early but her mother had some nasty behavioural problems and I really didn't want Roxy picking them up. However I didn't take her away to put her on her own, but rather with an older mare (previously a mother) who is the kindest, gentlest old girl possible. Lady immediately fostered her, even allowing her to nuzzle for milk, even though Roxy had actually stopped getting milk from her own mother! (She had milk pellets for a couple more months to make sure she was getting her nutrients)

Lady to this day keeps the young madam in line! Even now if Roxy prats about on the lunge and I shout, Lady will whinny at her from the stable!

From day 1 Roxy was handled but more importantly was just encouraged to be around whenever anything was happening! She would come and tip up the grooming box while Lady was being groomed and follow me from one side of Lady to the other, even ducking under her head!! i will always remember her face when I climbed up on Lady in front of her for the first time! It was like, 'wow, what are you doing!!!'. As she got older, she would be around when i was tacking or untacking, and i would take the saddle off Lady and quite simply turn and gently plop it onto Roxy. She thought she was being part of the action and had no problems with it and didn't even realise what she was learning!!

Her 'real' education didn't start until she was near enough three years old - i guess it's the equivalent of a nursery child going to school and realising that there was a purpose to the playing that they did before!!

Oh gosh, i could go on for ages about her! Now she's nearly five she can be a right monster at times but I love her to bits and wouldn't change her at all!

Sorry for going on a bit!!

[lolaelsa]

Thank you so much for your responses. It seems that it depends on your circumstances ie your facilities and your horses and personalities so it is really quite complex isn't it to look at from the outside. You'd have to be in the thick of it to really look at a situation and decide what's best. in my case i realise that i could not really consider a very young horse. Maybe later when i've established my family of horses! (Or the correct six numbers come up on Saturday). thanks again.