Instructions
Allow the foal to start eating grain and hay at a young age alongside her mother. This prepares the foal to eat when the mare is taken away. Feeding the foal grain for the first time after the mare is gone can cause stress, weight loss and digestive problems.
Put the mare and foal in a pasture with safe fencing. Using barbed wire or other types of wire fence can cause serious injury to both the mare and foal. Wooden or vinyl fencing is safest.
Move the mare to a pen or stall sharing a wall or fence line with the foal. Make sure the foal cannot nurse through the fence. Allow them to remain like this for a few days.
Remove the mare from the area after 3 to 4 days so the two cannot see or hear each other. If you are weaning several foals at once, putting them together can help the transition.
Begin working with the foal by putting a halter and lead rope on her and leading her around for a few minutes each day.
Provide clean water and fresh hay at all times for the mare and foal. Horses eat when they are nervous, and this can help keep the mare and foal calm.
How to Wean a Foal
If you breed horses or have mares and foals, you must wean the foals at some point. Weaning can be stressful to both mare and foal, but you can make it easier with different weaning methods. Learn how to successfully wean a foal by following these steps.