Weaning Management

Christine Skelly, Ph.D. Michigan State University Extension

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Preparation for Weaning• Health Care

– Vaccinations– Deworming– Hoof care

• Nutrition– Creep Feed– Forage

• Weaning– Abrupt vs Gradual– Housing– Exercise

• Training• Castration

Health Care - Vaccinations• If mare was vaccinated 4-6 weeks

before foaling, then foal’s vaccinations begin 5 – 6 m

• If mare wasn’t vaccinated during pregnancy, then foal should begin vaccinations at 3 – 4 m

• Booster shots required for young foals at 3 – 4 week intervals

• Consult veterinarian on vaccination schedule

Deworming

• Begin at 2 m• Deworm for:

– ascarids, strongyles, bots, and threadworms

• Begin early – first few weeks

• Small window of time for corrective trimming

Hoof Care

Nutritional Requirements

for Growing Horse

Average Foal Growth Curvefor 1100 lb Stock Horse

Energy in Mare’s Milk

DevelopmentalOrthopedic Diseases

• Genetic • Nutritional• Biomechanical

Growing Horse Nutrient Requirements (NRC, 2007)

• Nutrients balanced with energy • Protein quality important• Ca:P ratio 2:1• Micro nutrients (Zn and Cu)

Expected Feed Consumption by Horses (% body weight)

Forage Concentrate Total

Nursing Foal 0 1.0 – 2.0 2.5 – 3.5

Weanling, 6 m 0.5 -1.0 1.5 – 3.0 2.0 – 3.5

Yearling, 12 m 1.0 – 1.5 1.0 – 2.0 2.0 – 3.0

18 m 1.0 – 1.5 1.0 -1.5 2.0 – 2.5

2 yr 1.0 – 1.5 1.0 -1.5 1.75 – 2.5

NRC, 1989

Creep Feed Ration (for not less 6% CF or 3% Fat)

• 16% CP• .70% Lysine• .80% Ca• .50% P• 1400 kcal DE/lb

Corner Creep Feeder

4 Sided Creep Feeder

Stall Creep Feeder

When to Wean?• Mare health,

disposition• Foal health,

disposition• Farm management

– Group VS Individual– Type of weaning

system

Mare-Foal Bond• Care seeking • Care giving• Nutritional bond• Senses used

• Touch

• Seeing

• Hearing

• Smelling

• Tasting

Abrupt Weaning & Mare-Foal Bond• Care seeking • Care giving• Nutritional bond• Senses used

• Touch

• Seeing

• Hearing

• Smelling

• Tasting

Gradual Weaning and the Mare-Foal Bond

• Care seeking • Care giving• Nutritional bond• Senses used

• Touch

• Seeing

• Hearing

• Smelling

• Tasting

Housing

• Outdoors• Group

– Peers grouped by age and sex

– Chaperone• Older horse• Another species

Exercise

• Exercise related to bone development– Free exercise best– Housing outdoors

optimum

Training Goals• Lead by body position• Respond to “Whoa”• Move away from pressure• Relaxed & willing• Sacked out to various stimuli

– Grooming

– Blankets

– Handling legs

• Eliminate dangerous behaviors

Training Strategies• Short training sessions

(5 – 10 min)• Reward small successes• Limit oral behavior

– No treats– Don’t pet face

• Work both sides • End on a good note

Training: Zig Zag

• Start in small enclosure

• Pressure and release on halter

• Short daily training periods 5 – 10 min

• End relaxed

Training: Butt Rope• Start in narrow alley • 2 ropes required

– Lead rope– Butt rope

• Encourage forward motion by gentle tugs on butt rope and clucking

Castration• Age• Health/Stress level• Recovery

Summary• Practice good health care

• Creep feed

• Use gradual weaning system

• Feed a balanced diet including a high-quality forage

• Provide free exercise

• Train in short effective bouts

Recommended Resources• Feeding a Growing Horse – eXtension

– http://www.extension.org/pages/Feeding_a_Growing_Horse

• Texas A&M University Equine Extension Publications– http://animalscience.tamu.edu/main/academics/equine/pubs.html

• Designs and Use of Creep Feeders for Foals by Pete Gibbs• Feeding Young Horses for Sound Development by Gary Potter and Pete Gibbs

• The University of Tennessee Extension Horse Publications– http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/animals/default.asp#horses

• Weaning Management for Foals by Doyle Meadows and John Henton

• Nutrient Requirements of Horses: 6th Revised Edition– http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11653

• Guidelines for the Vaccination of Horses – American Association of Equine Practitioners– http://www.aaep.org/vaccination_guidelines.htm

• Why Should I Castrate My Equid? – MSU College of Veterinary Medicine– http://cvm.msu.edu/alumni-friends/information-for-animal-owners/why-should-i-castrate-my-equid/