How long before foal can go back with Mum?

Wagtail

Wagtail

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I was just wondering how long you need to leave it after weaning before a foal can go back in the same turnout as Mum? My mare has taken a disliking to the Mum and I think she (Mum) would be happier in the same group as her foal as she got on well with them when she and her foal were put in prior to weaning.. But how long do we have to leave it? Foal was weaned five days ago. I was thinking another three weeks?
 
I think it varies from horse to horse. Not sure 3 additional weeks is enough, but I suppose if you see foal attempting to suckle you could move them again.
 
Think it depends on the mare and foal. How independent the foal was prior to weaning. How quickly the mare dried up and how likely she is to allow the foal to attempt to suckle again.

One mare and foal at the yard were separated for 5 weeks and then put back together without problems, but have heard other mares happily reopen the milk bar, unless separated for longer.
 
I have always kept mares and their foals out of sight and earshot of each other for a minimum of 6 weeks. I don't think that I have ever put them back in the same field even after that length of time. One mare I had would take months to cease lactating.
 
Thanks. I think she would allow him to try to suckle, yes. I am also sure he would try. He had a go on the geldings' bits several times and received a telling off, bless him. He's given up now, thankfully. Maybe leave it another five weeks then.
 
elderlycoupleindevon said:
I have always kept mares and their foals out of sight and earshot of each other for a minimum of 6 weeks. I don't think that I have ever put them back in the same field even after that length of time. One mare I had would take months to cease lactating.
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We chose the 'gentle way' and moved the mare and foal in with the geldings. Then removed mare into my field with my mare and gelding, next door to where the foal was. He is also in the adjoining stable with talk bars so they can nuzzle one another. They now are in the winter routine and he goes out at a different time to her so they are used to being separated during the day. They did call for the first few days but now seem used to it and not at all bothered. Only problem is my mare is a bit nasty to the Mum. :( Nothing really bad but a few bites and chasing her off. They have been together most years and it eventually settles but of course owner is anxious and I feel guilty as it is my mare being the bossy one. :o
 
Crikey, weaning time already, it doesn't seem so long ago that you were announcing his arrival :)

I leave mine until the mares have dried off, that could be three weeks, it could be six. I took mine off yesterday, weaning time is always very noisy for a couple of days, I have foals whinging, mares grumbling (and they are in adjoining paddocks) the others yelling because they want to add their bit and the stallion storming up and down roaring his head off just because he can.

I always winter my weanlings back with the mare herd. Yes, sometimes they do try to suckle, they always get short shrift and don't bother trying again, I have never had a mare come back into milk.
 
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Enfys said:
I leave mine until the mares have dried off, that could be three weeks, it could be six.

I always winter my weanlings back with the mare herd. Yes, sometimes they do try to suckle, they always get short shrift and don't bother trying again, I have never had a mare come back into milk.
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She seems to be drying up pretty well. She doesn't like me touching her there (never has) and she was not very willing at first to let the foal suckle, so maybe she won't let him. Might try them together in a couple of weeks and separate again if she lets him suckle. Thanks.
 
I gave Milo a month away from his mum but the moment I put him back with her he tried to suckle, she squealed at him a couple of time, let him suckle and ran milk again!

So he was taken away from her for several months.
 
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