Weaning mares and foals 

Weaning is the process of a young animal becoming independent of their mother, usually in relation to transitioning from their mother’s milk to a wider diet. Weaning happens naturally, but the term is also used when we, as animal carers, decide to remove the young animal from their mother.   

Methods of weaning 

NB. Mares and foals should both be healthy ahead of weaning, and colts should not be weaned around the same time as castration.  

Natural

This method allows mares and foals to wean without, or with minimal, human intervention. In feral horse populations, weaning usually occurs when the foal has matured, is less reliant on their mother and is around 1 year old or older. Young colts typically then leave the herd and join bachelor groups of stallions until they integrate into or start a new herd. Fillies often stay within their original herd for much longer and have an on-going relationship with their mother before eventually joining a different herd.  

As the process is wholly dictated by the mare and foal, one or both will decide when it’s the right time to separate. Signs of mares and foals beginning to naturally wean include: 

• Foals spending more time with other foals and herd members 

• Foals reducing how frequently they suckle from their mother 

• Mares displaying behaviours to keep their foals from suckling 

• Increased distance between the mare and foal 

When managing weaning within domesticated horses, we should be striving to replicate natural weaning as far as possible. 

Gradual

This method of weaning gradually prepares the mare and foal by increasing the time and distance they spend apart from one another but differs from natural weaning, as the time and distance is dictated by their caregivers. If you start to notice any of the signs above, that could be an indicator that the natural weaning process is beginning.  This process can occur when the foal is around 8-10 months old. It is recommended to do this in groups. For example, a group of similarly aged foals with a familiar nanny mare or older horse to keep them company, and the foals’ mothers as a separate group.

Keeping the mares and foals in familiar groups, with their friends can help reduce the stress of being separated. This method is often started using fields that are next to each other initially. The foals will then spend a short amount of time in the separate field each day before coming back to their mothers. The time is then gradually increased until both groups are comfortable being separated but with visual contact.  

Increasing the distance can be then considered, allowing each group to become comfortable with the new arrangement before making further changes. For example, the foals could be moved to a field opposite the mares, separated by a track, then a field slightly further down with hedges between creating a visual barrier and so on. You may also have access to barns where a group can be housed. Individual stabling is not recommended for this process.  

You may witness some signs of stress during this process including:  

• Vocalising – calling to one another 
• Running up and down the fence line next to each other 
• Attempting to get through or over the fence (fence construction is a key safety consideration) 
• Loose faeces/diarrhoea
• Displaced aggression towards other mares, foals or people. 

Any signs of stress should be minimal, but if the reactions are extreme or prolonged, it is recommended to put the two groups back together and attempt the process again when the foals are a little older and more independent.  

If mares and foals do not have other mares and foals as company, it is important to pair them with suitable companions as a minimum. Remember, horses are a social species and will draw comfort from their friends in a herd.   

Sudden – this method is not recommended

Sudden separation of mares and foals, including transporting one away without preparation is not recommended. This is extremely stressful and a very ethically questionable practice, often with long-term impacts on the horses involved. Mares and foals should never be shut in a confined space with no visual contact as weaning method.  

Should a mare or foal become ill and need to be separated prior to weaning, always try and allow for visual contact plus the provision of at least 1 friend for the animal that does not require veterinary treatment. Should either the mare or foal require euthanasia or pass away, there is evidence to suggest that showing the body to the surviving animal is beneficial. Young foals may require a foster mare if their mother passes away.  

How can stressful weaning affect horses?  

Foals that have a stressful weaning experience may be more likely to have issues with attachment as they grow up e.g., attaching to a particular person or another herd member. Chronic stress can also influence how horses learn, how they respond to novel experiences and their general outlook on life. The aim is to set horses up to succeed later in life by providing a low stress weaning experience.  

It’s important not to underestimate how stressful weaning can be for mares and how this may affect their ability to re-conceive if they are a broodmare and the impact stress may have on a developing foetus if they are already in foal during the weaning period. Mares may also develop issues with attachment or a fear of people if weaning is particularly stressful. 

Take home messages 

• Natural weaning is best for the mental state of both mare and foal 
• Gradual weaning can be a suitable alternative if skilfully managed 
• Friends help the transition  
• Take your time  
• Minimise stress for both mare and foal