Couple Of Things

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Cobland

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My first foal Romi is just over 4 months old, she never seems to spend time with mum but with the bigger horses, she drinks from the water trough and is away munching grass with the other horses. Im at the yard all day and can see the whole field, she maybe walks to mum when the bigger horses start playing but after a few minutes shes back with them again. Mae is starting to bite romi if she feeds, romi would wonder off into the next field but Mae never calls her back its the bigger horses. So i was going to wean them when Romi is 5 months, ones are saying i should do it now but surely its too early? Oh romi is a cob if that makes a difference.

This other question is for a friend, at her yard she is right next to two small ponies, owner hasnt seen them in a week and is doing DIY livery. So he hasnt been near them to give water, haylage or clean out. Friend reported him to USPCA who came out and said that they cant do anything. Others are chucking in their haylage as and when they can, but the ponies are being neglected. YO apparently talked to owner who said that he was busy but he doesnt work!! Pee is starting to leak out of the stables causing a bad smell, i did see it today and was shocked. Ponies are underweight and look depressed, standing with head down and eyes closed. She wants to know if she can do anything to end this neglect
 
Sounds like your mare and foal are naturally starting the weaning process, leave them to it, much less stressful all round.

I personally feel the YO needs to make more of a stand, as surely if the ponies deteriorate further they will be liable too, as the YO.
 
Romi was always an independant foal, but now she runs about with hubbys horse and the new boy murphy. Mae never seems interested in her. Only time romi follows her is when im bringing mae in to ride.

Ive never met the man who owns the ponies, my friend said that he never ever showed interest in them. He used to own another one but sold her as she became nasty as he would beat them. Both are stallions and young, apparently he got them to put them up for stud.
 
Leave them to it. Sounds like they are weaning themselves naturally. Legacy our 5 month old is never with her mother; she spends her whole time with her father nowadays. Her mothers milk sac has shrunk lots and Legacy barely suckles anymore. This is natural weaning working perfectly and what a stress free way to do it.
 
Thanks everyone, ive never had a foal before so learning as i go. I watched a thing the other day about a 3 year old still suckling from its mother! Didnt realise that horses wean themselves, i guess it does in the wild.

Ones suggested putting a rug on Mae to stop Romi suckling as much but obviously i dont want to do the wrong thing.

They are my babies and i dont want to go wrong
 
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