Question on Weaning foals

[carlenehorse]

I have just started weaning my two foals today (6 & 7 months old) and I know that you are not supposed to feed the mares grain as it produces milk. My question is for how long do you keep your mares off grain?

 

[DebiM]

Carlene, there was a thread on here a couple of three weeks ago. If you do a search you can find it. Some of us didn't without grain then some did and recommended the times. I think Marty started the thread so that could narrow you search.

 

[Miniv]

Frankly, I was a bit surprised at how many people do not pull grain from their mares when weaning. We do.

However, there are times when a mare has been "pulled down" by the nursing, so not graining is counter- productive. For normal weaning we only grain our mares during the end of pregnancy and while they are nursing. Otherwise, they get supplement and the best grass hay (14%+) from our region.

Every farm handles it a little differently, I think. I recommend you read all the options that people suggest and do what feels right for YOU.

MA

 

[Becky]

I don't 'grain' feed as such, but when I feed my mares and foals, they are fed for two horses. When I wean the foal, her feed is adjusted back to a single horse portion.

I feed Progressive Nution's Alfalfa formula Diet Balancer, alfalfa pellets and grass hay. The mares and foals also get Progressive's Foals First Starter and Creep. When the foal is weaned, he continues to get the Foal Starter. The mare gets no more.

 

[carlenehorse]

Thanks for all the information I appreciate your help.

Carlene

 

[YHFF Miniature Horses]

I've been weaning mine for almost a month now and so I have started giving the mares a little grain as I feel enough time has elapsed and there bags are almost all dried up.