By Equine Podiatrist Sydne Pruonto
Now for a subject close to my heart – the weaning of foals.
It is a subject where mainstream practices differ so wildly from what would happen in nature.
If left to it, foals tend to wean naturally around the 9-10 months mark – gradually, over a longer period of time.
Yet if asked, the majority of foals we know were probably weaned fairly abruptly around the 6 months mark (some as early as 4 months).
This then will bring big changes in diet and social environment for the youngsters with it, often alongside anxiety and unsettlement – therefore it is not a surprise that hooves will reflect this huge change.
The first couple of pictures are of foals weaned around the 6 months mark. I don’t think I need to mark up on the images when the weaning happened? Here they are:
And this is where it gets interesting.
The next two pictures are of foals weaned a few months later.
One was weaned at 8 months – very carefully and gradually done by the breeder, over a stable wall for a few hours, time apart gradually increased, while still being able to suckle, then more and more separated and eventually turned out with another horse for company.
The other one was weaned at 10 months – right up to then, the foal was developing her independence and choosing her time apart from her mum, while still feeding for comfort quite frequently. When the separation happened, it wasn’t traumatic.
These two feet I have marked up with the moment of weaning, as the gradual and less traumatic process made for a much smoother transition and less of a visual impact too.
I often get asked about event lines that are so much smaller than these first couple of pictures, yet we accept these weaning lines as something that will happen in the process – when it clearly doesn’t need to be that way.
The changes in the diet, as well as the emotional stress – it isn’t really a surprise that studies have shown a huge spike in ulcers in foals just after weaning.
Thinking about getting a foal? Speak to the stud about extending the youngster’s stay with their mum, and/or prioritise breeders who are willing to do so or are already doing it.
Bought a foal that got weaned the ‘standard’ way? Prioritise digestive health and a sympathetic integration into their new herd life.
And maybe one day later weaning times will become more of a norm!
I’d recommend reading both these excellent articles for some really important information (including the one on ulcers in weanlings):
On a side note – my own youngster was weaned at 7.5 months. I would have preferred longer, but stud practices were already being pushed by this. Yes, walking away from the sale was a consideration, and yes, I still wonder if her lack of confidence in some situations could have been avoided by spending more time in the safety bubble with her mum.
I sadly don’t have any really clear hoof pictures of her feet, but can say she didn’t have a weaning line, so even that extra month seems to have helped.