HELP!! I think my 5 month old orphan foal is starting to weave :s

L

lucylovesbsja

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I have a 5 month old rescue foal whos mum rejected him. He came from a horrific home where the horses are all neglected, i rescuesd him, his mum and another mare (both mares in foal again!) 2 months ago and they where all skin and bones. He is now with one of my older mares who is looking after him but they have started comming in at night as he gets cold (even with heavy rugs on) and drops weight so easily and i think he feels safe in his stale. Its worth saying he loves his stable, he tries to pull me in everyday and he is a ver happy foal!!
BUT I he has started showing signs of weaving when its feeding time and this is really worrying me( not that itwill effect his sale price as i will never selll him but im worried h is unhappy)! he also is very itch so sometimes he is just itching his chest but i am convinced he is weaving :(
Is this normall or should start worrying?

Thanks for reading this btw!

L x
 
If it's just weaving at feed time, I wouldn't worry too much. It is probably just excitement, and a way of saying, Come on mum, hurry up and feed me! I would make a point of feeding him first to minimise his reaction and stress levels, and try to leave them all out in the field for as long as possible every day so he is only in for the minimum time.

I think quite a few horses get very excited at feed times and weave a bit. If he starts weaving at other times, then maybe look at changing something - ie put up a weaving grill or put some boredom braker toys in for him.
 
Try to put his feed in his stable before you bring him in.
If the weaving continues, try haning some veg from the top of the door with bailer twin, stops him being able to weave and gives him something to munch on if he thinks about weaving.
It sounds mad but it does work
 
miss_bird said:
Try to put his feed in his stable before you bring him in.
If the weaving continues, try haning some veg from the top of the door with bailer twin, stops him being able to weave and gives him something to munch on if he thinks about weaving.
It sounds mad but it does work
Click to expand...

love this sound advice :):) will hang fruit and veg tonight for my foals to play with as they too get a bit "wild" at feed time.
 
Little man doesnt like other foods bless him (but i will keep trying!!!).....he wont even play with is jolly ball or eat a carrott.....ithink it might be cos of his awfull first three months of life as he was never given any food ven tho his mum wouldt let him suckle:(
 
Weaving can be a sign of gastric ulcers (any 'stress' behaviour can) and stressed foals are VERY prone to gastric ulcers. The fact he's also hard to keep weight on is another sign.

I would treat him for ulcers and see if it helps.
 
Can he see over the door? When you say weaving, is rubbing the front of his chest on something at the same time?
I'm asking because when our foals change their coats, and get itchy (like you say he is) they quite often 'weave' along things to itch themselves.
I might be way off the mark with yours, but that is definately what it sounds like to me. :)
If he's definately not scratching, then put the feed in his stable before you put him in.
 
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