foal growing too fast

Yes, I had to wean my foal at 5 month old, on the advise of my vet because of this reason. Just before I weaned him he started to go up on his front toe (in one leg) he now has the farrier every other week. He has always looked very well and was always on the milk bar. I never let him have any of mums feed but have read this can be a cause of the mares milk, where the milk is just too good.
 
Gucci_b said:
Yes, I had to wean my foal at 5 month old, on the advise of my vet because of this reason. Just before I weaned him he started to go up on his front toe (in one leg) he now has the farrier every other week. He has always looked very well and was always on the milk bar. I never let him have any of mums feed but have read this can be a cause of the mares milk, where the milk is just too good.
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thanks i am weaning him tomorrow but he is only 3 1/2 months ill take a pic of him this weekend so you can all see how big he is !! I mean he can easily get his head over the stable door x
 
Tinks81 said:
thanks i am weaning him tomorrow but he is only 3 1/2 months ill take a pic of him this weekend so you can all see how big he is !! I mean he can easily get his head over the stable door x
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Although not ideal i did wean one at 3 1/2 months a couple of years ago and she managed just fine.
She was well used to haylage and hard feed before we weaned her and she went with an older foal.
She now a strapping very well adjusted 2 year old so hasnt done her any harm.
I did do it with the blessing of my vets as she was a bit younger than ideal but we regularly wean at 4 months and have just done one that was doing to well without any problems.
 
I just weaned one at 14 weeks, he has eaten all of his mums tail, and I mean ALL, she looks like she's had it clipped and in the space of 2 days her mane was gone too and then I caught the little stinker eating other mares tails, now that much hair can't be healthy!

How'd you go tinks?
 
all went well i just moved him to the stable next door to mum (which i dont normally like doing) i have a yearling (polo pony) who i am hopefully going to pair him up with as he is about the same size x
 
Tinks81 said:
why because she has always had hard feed all her life and has been with me 12 years - she is a lovely mare and i wouldnt in the mornings when i feed everything else not give her anything that would just stress her out which in turn would not be good for the foal ?????

a normal plain pony nut is not going to give her a huge amount of anything to be honest ????
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I understand what you are saying. My lot are always fed, even the good doers. It is useful for adding supplements, like sure-limb, magnesium etc and knowing what they are getting.

However, when mine are looking too good some get just a little Safe and Sound with non-molassed s/b and a carrot. They don't know the difference, and those that need feeding get their Alfa-A and or hard feed. If you feed nuts, why not just give some Spillers Hi Fibre?
 
Now I have very little knowledge of horse breeding, but find it surprising that people are questioning giving a handful of 'pony nuts' (and assuming that these are standard hi fibre cubes; that's always what they are referred to as IME) and suggesting replacements which have a higher digestible energy..

Am I missing something? (understand that disguising supplements is easier with a chaff) :confused: :)
 
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