What to do at weaning?

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I am starting to think about weaning time, as the first two months is just flying by (Troy is 7 weeks today!!!)
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Where I am, he would be in the stable a lot because of the turnout situation and I do not want to put a 6 months old foal through this. I was wondering whether anyone knew of anywhere in Lancashire or the North West that was suitable to send a 6 months old foal for the winter? I have a few ideas already, but deep down I know he needs to go out in a field for the majority of the time at that age, and I would hate for him to get all the stable vices that horses on that yard already have (banging, scraping their teeth etc etc) at such a young age.

Thanks everyone,

Rebecca x
 
Can't make any recommendations about where to send him as I don't know the area.

But think that you are absolutely right in your thinking - he needs to be out, out, out.

Good luck with your search, something will come up. Do you have any breeders around you that will have little youngster groups he could be turned out with??
 
Agree with Amymay on this one find a nice friendly stud in the area that will take him to run with others.
Ours are weaned and come in at night and out by day until April when they are out 24/7
Mine have a nice barn they can go into together with a woodchip floor so very happy babies.
 
Hi, I've finally made it onto here!!
He could come to me, although it's a fair way to travel him. He could bounce off Harry all day, there is evidence to suggest that that is the sort of age when they need to learn herd manners and respect from older horses.
 
you could parcel him up, put a few stamps on his bum and send him over to me for the winter....sorry thats not much help! sending him somewhere sounds like the best thing though!
 
Sounds like a good idea but can I just suggest you think very seriously about taking Hannah with him and leave her there with him for the first fortnight?
This way he gets used to the new place, handlers and his future companions while he still has his mother to hide behind so when she is taken away it is not such a huge drama for him. He also has a chance to get used to the new bacteria (however clean, it will be different from what his stomach already knows) of the place while he is still on mother, it'll give his gut a chance to adapt too.
I've seen foals sent away somewhere to wean without the benefit of mother and it is not a nice way to do it at all in my opinion; in fact I refuse to do it that way at all. If a foal is to be left on its own, then IMHO, it should stop at home where it knows where it is and the mare should be sent away for six weeks; a far safer option and nicer towards the foal I feel. (disclaimer: I don't expect everyone to agree with me!
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Wherever you send him Becki, he could really do with companions of his own or similar ages too as they will play and learn so much from each other, an old horse is sometimes far too grumpy with weanlings and that leads to them becoming moody too so I've found.
What about End House, I know they take winter boarders? Then, when he comes back as a yearling he will be more able to adapt to stable routine, although 24/7 turnout would be even better.
 
You're joking, I cannot believe he is 7 weeks old already
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that has gone so so so fast!!!!!

Anyway, definitely definitely send him to a stud, that way he can be turned out with other weanlings and learn from them.

Oh and where are the piccies of Troy lady?!?!
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This is what part of my business is - I take weanlings for 1 year or 2 years. They live in small herds with other weanlings but always with a slightly older nanny to show them the ropes and help guard over them.

One thing to bear in mind is make sure that you find somewhere that seperates fillies from colts - you don't want any mishaps.

My customers want their youngsters to run, play and have a fun childhood, and that's exactly what they get here.

Maybe if you run a search for weanling livery you will come up with something in your area? Or start asking around about suitable studs to place him at.

I also can't believe how quickly the time has flown by with Troy - seems like only last week that he was born.
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My little one who is a week old, met the farrier for the first time yesterday - and she liked him.
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There is a place at Forton who do this, dont have contact details, but could find out for you if you like?
 
Hi Jill, nice to see you on here!!!

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Jill is Grace's old owner
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That is a great option if I can't find something around here and makes me worry a little less as I have an option. I would like to keep him as close as possible so I can still see my little man and handle him every so often, but thank you so much for your offer. Like I said, it makes my worrying a little less
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