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Weaning Management
Christine Skelly, Ph.D. Michigan State University Extension
Please note: This presentation is intended for users with high-speed internet connections. Unfortunately, we cannot offer support for dial-up users at this time.
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/