Weaning gone wrong???

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fitzaud2

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I sold a two year old connemara/ id/tb cross in the summer. lovely little filly, but as part exchange, I got a foal, same mother to my filly. Very different dad, Only saw her at 3 weeks, havnt seen her since, but got call to say she's ready. Now, I'd nearly forgotten about her, but is it not very late to be weaning a foal that was born in march, poor mare is in foal again and a bit poor, by all acounts!! I'm the donkey, who bought my best friends a yearling as a wedding present, and as they've fecked off to australia, am looking after him. Everybody else I know are telling me to either start charging or get em to sell it, as they're gone to oz forever. Prob should, as i'd have room for my little filly if i got rid of him, but dont know how to say it. Anyway, getting back to weaning, december is very late??? i think so anyway!!
 
We've had ponies weaned from 5months, (we gave them a nanny mare-rescues) through to 15 months and generally the longer they are with their mothers the better to a point. I would say 9 months optimum really depending on the horses personality. We encountered no more problems with the later weaned pony, he was very independent and ready for life.
 
I believe that you get a more rounded horse if the foal is left as long as possible with their mother. The 2 on our yard were and they are both absolutely lovely horses, confident and well mannered. Sounds like you will get a nice filly.

However, how can you have "nearly forgotten about her" ? Sorry if I sound condemning but how do you forget a horse you own? And if you do forget, why have it?

FDC
 
Agree with all above, the later the better for the foalie! Will result in a happier and less stressed baby and will have been well taught by mum about what is acceptable behaviour in 'the herd'. With regard to your friends pony, well this is a classic example of why animals should never be given as gifts isn't it, I would probably just sell him and take your money back, send them a voucher for a OZ store to replace their unwanted 'wedding gift'!
 
I usually wean around 5 - 6 months as their mums are seriously fed up with them by then and also tend to start losing condition if the foal is left on them longer.

My mare jumped on the truck the day I weaned her and her last foal. Never seen her load so well - it was like " OK get me outa here fast - I've had enough of bratty children"
 
Evelyn said:
I usually wean around 5 - 6 months as their mums are seriously fed up with them by then and also tend to start losing condition if the foal is left on them longer.

My mare jumped on the truck the day I weaned her and her last foal. Never seen her load so well - it was like " OK get me outa here fast - I've had enough of bratty children"
Click to expand...

Do you know what? I know exactly how she felt!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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