Re: RC: weaning question

[Lif Strand <fasterhorses@gilanet.com>]

Most of our mares didn't let the foal try to nurse once they dried up,
but some mares take a looong time to stop producing milk.  Probably 2
months would be enough time, but maybe not.  We have one 26 year old
mare that is still nursing her 2 1/2 yr old colt.  He is not living with
her, mind you, goes for weeks at a time totally separated, so doesn't
constantly have access to her through a fence, but he does sneak a sip
whenever he can (I doubt she has much milk, but she has some).  She is
fully cooperative!  We don't want to stop them.  We sort of think she
doesn't want to wean this one because it might be her last, and we don't
want to wean him either.  He is still entire & has bred 4 mares - this
is an experiment on our part to see if nursing a long time might have an
effect on his brain.  So far, he's a sweetheart.  Who knows - maybe in 5
years you'll see us out on the endurance trail, mom mare waiting to
nurse the 8 year old stallion at the vet checks.

The moral of this story:  You might be able to return a foal to the mare
after two months, and then you might not.  You just have to watch it.
Lif

--
                                     ____________
Lif & Paul Strand   STRAND ENTERPRISES   http://www.fasterhorses.com
           Arabian Horses for Distance Riding
         Internet Research * WebArt * Fine Art
    Nutrition and alternatives for self-reliant people
                     Quemado, NM  USA



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