The process of weaning foals and managing young horses after weaning can become a stressful and high maintenance process. With the correct management practices, however, this process can become less daunting and easier on both the horses and owner.
Typically foals are weaned between four and six months of age. Foals of this age are usually becoming more independent, and are consuming more grass and/or grain and hay, relying less on their mother’s milk. Other factors such as the foal’s …
If the foal looks healthy, bright and active, then it is probably getting adequate nutrition.
If a foal is not getting enough, you will notice a lower body condition (less than 4 on a scale of 1 to 9), plus you may see the foal continually trying to nurse. However, remember that a foal normally nurses several times per hour. A typical foal will nurse, maybe play some and then nap. Upon waking, the foal will stretch, then either interact …
Advanced reproductive technologies such as cooled semen, frozen semen, embryo transfer and gamete inter fallopian tube transfer (GIFT) have given horse owners choices and freedom. Mares can be bred at home with semen collected from stallions that …
Doyle G. Meadows, Professor, Animal Science; John E. Henton, Professor. Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of …
Kathy Anderson, Extension Horse Specialist, University of Nebraska
Parturition is typically broken down into three stages. Stage I, normally lasting 1 to 4 hours, reflects the initial uterine contractions and final positioning of the foal for delivery. These contractions will make the mare appear nervous and uncomfortable. Typically the mare will exhibit the following behavior.
David W. Freeman, Oklahoma State University Extension Equine Specialist
On horse farms, the breeding shed is perhaps the most important place for accurate recordkeeping. Records are needed for breeding management, estimating foaling dates, and evaluating breeding performance. Record evaluation is essential in …
David W. Freeman, Oklahoma State University Extension Equine Specialist
Horse breeding enterprises are very diverse. Most people only own broodmares and contract breedings with stallion owners. Stallion owner enterprises range from those with a single stallion that may breed fewer than five mares per year to operations that stand several stallions and breed hundreds of …
Equine Section, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Kentucky
A complete breeding soundness examination should be conducted before you purchase a mare for breeding or the breeding season. This exam should include more than just an evaluation of the reproductive …
Steven M. Jones, Extension Horse Specialist, University of Arkansas; Tom R. Troxel Extension Beef Cattle Specialist
Horse owners want to breed their mares for numerous reasons. Many owners have a beloved …
David W. Freeman, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Equine Specialist
Young, weaned horses below the age of 1 year are called weanlings. During this time of life, the foals have been separated from their dams, are rapidly growing and are receiving training and management practices that have life-long effects. …
