weaning foals

Question
Thanks so much Lyn.  These babies are 4.5 mos. and 5 mo. old.  The only reason I'm forcing them to wean is that the 4.5 mo. old is really taxing her Mommy.  I rescued these two mares and brought them from near-death starving yet pregant to fat and sassy with healthy babies.  It was no easy job and I WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.  That's why Sugah' Belle is getting weaned so soon.  And, she's very independent and doesn't really care.  It's Cowboy that's so upset!  

The Bach Flower remedy is a great idea.  I get my flower essences from Green Hope Farms and it just so happens that they are shipping an order to me today.  I know they have one that's good for this but I don't recall which.  The aloe-vera juice sounds like a good idea as well.  

Unfortunately, I don't have an absolutely safe place where the babies could be with a halter on.  I don't even leave them on when they are in stalls because they can get a hoof stuck in the halter.  
As far as keeping an older horse with them I can't decide between my gelding who's been following Sugah' around like a puppy since she was born, one of two mares who are GREAT moms but might actually adopt the babies (I know she couldn't nurse them but they try), or the strictly business HEAD mare.  What do you think?
Thanks you so much for your advice sans ridicule.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
rcpetty
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Followup To

Question -
Can you please give me some incite on weaning my two foals that are two weeks apart in age?  I've done this before and there just doesn't seem to be a good way.  Of course, the old-timers ridicule me and tell me to "just take them away from the mares" and do it in the dark of the moon.  I've found a product called ezee wean, but that involves leaving a halter on a little-one that's not supervised 24/7 and in the pasture most of the time.  Right now I've got the babies together in a big stall and the mommies in stalls nearby.  It's torturing ALL of us.  PLEASE HELP!  Thanks so much, RuthCatherine Petty

Answer -
RuthCatherine,

This can be a stressful time for all involved and sounds like you are going through that now.  I don't know how old your babies are but I don't like to wean before they are 6 mos. old.  At that point they are depending upon mom for moral support more than nutrition.  My little one wears a halter all the time but she's in a pen with mom right now.  

There are a couple of things you can do.  One method is to start by feeding them in separate stalls that are side-by-side so the babies can still see mommy.  This gets them used to being away from her for periods of time and the separation period can keep getting longer.  You have already pulled them off the moms, don't know if the mares are dried up yet or not.  At this point in time it would probably be best to put the mares out in a pasture rather than in the barn where the babies and moms can still call to each other.  Sort of rubs salt in the wound.  Do you have a pen pen or something small and baby safe to turn them out in where they can run around?  If so put them out there.  If you have an old horse who will be kind to them put it in there too for a baby sitter.  If not give them some toys, plenty of hay and as much time as you can spare.  The sooner you can get them integrated with some other horses the happier they will be.

You can also give them some Bach's Rescue Remedy.  I would just put a couple of dropperfuls into their drinking water to help calm them.  It's not a drug but a homeopathic remedy so you don't have to worry about it interfering with anything.  You can get it at any health food store.  If you don't have access to one then just Google it on-line.  I did and got over 20,000 hits.  Things will settle down, usually takes a week.  Once they can't hear mommy answer their calls they will stop.  A radio, out of their reach, can provide some added sound so they don't think they are abandoned too.  You may have to experiment to find a type of music they like.  

Since this is a stressful time for the babies make sure that you support them nutritionally as well as emotionally.  I assume they are current on worming and shots and are eating both hay and grain.  I have found that adding some aloe vera juice, 4 oz. to their feeds twice a day helps.  Keeps stomach acid down so they are more comfortable.  Sam's Club carries it in gallon jugs for about $5-$6/gal.  This is a good ulcer preventative/maintenance product for all horses and if they aren't eating as well as they should be then this will help their stomachs.  

I hope this helps.  Let me know if you have any more questions.

Lyn

Answer
RC,

I would go with the gelding.  They can make great "uncles" to weanlings and since your little boy is the one with issues the gelding might be a better choice for him too.

I've never worried about my filly getting a foot caught in her halter.  She's wearing a foal halter right now and will go into a regular halter with a break away headstall when the time is right.  You may also consider neck straps vs halters.  Old stirrup leathers work well for these and give you something to grab them with.  

Once they are settled with him then you can introduce the rest of the horses one at a time.  He will probably take charge of them so they won't be a bother to the mares.  I have a couple of geldings who are in love with my little girl and can't wait until she and mom get turned in with them.  I figure they will make weaning her a lot easier since they will be with her when mom isn't.  I also have a 3 yr. old Welsh pony filly who is dying to play with her so she'll have company who will play when she goes out with the rest.  

They do adapt but some take a little longer than others.  

Lyn