We are weaning Evie off her mom in the most relaxed way possible. We started to feed her in her own stable last Friday. And we will continue feeding her in her own stable and then moving her back to mom again, leaving her longer in her own space every time. So she still can drink from Naloma, but she is getting used to being on her own too. We have to separate them completely some day because Naloma has to stop feeding Evie. Giving milk is a real strain on a mare and I want to ride more again, so Naloma's 'udders have to dry up' and we have to keep Evie from her for a couple of days then. But we will try to make this as less stressful as possible (does that make sense? I'm a bit tired and can't think straight, but you will know what I mean I hope). The usual way of separating a foal from her mother is just taking the foal away. That's it. So both mare and foal get really stressed and keep calling each other. I didn't want to do it that way, so this is our way of separating them and I hope it works.
Anyway, this was the first time we had Evie in her own stable. We closed the shutter (?, it's the square next to her window) to keep her from jumping out of the stable (you never know how mad they react), but she was quite happy and relaxed being on her own. Her stable is next to Willem. Naloma is on the other side of Willem.
This morning I opened the stable door to take Evie from Naloma to her own stable for her breakfast and Evie just walked there all by herself. I guess she likes it. So far so good ;-)
The pinkish round thing hanging on the bars is a salt block. Horses like to lick the salt. It provides them with useful minerals and it also keeps them from getting bored.
She's getting big! And beautiful ;-)
Hubs took these photos with his mobile phone. He has a very sophisticated new one. He can take photos with it, make movies, email, search the internet, make coffee (just a joke). I've understood he can even call people with it. Amazing! What will they think of next. (Reading these last sentences back I just realised... I'm old!)
Hubs took these photos with his mobile phone. He has a very sophisticated new one. He can take photos with it, make movies, email, search the internet, make coffee (just a joke). I've understood he can even call people with it. Amazing! What will they think of next. (Reading these last sentences back I just realised... I'm old!)
That saltblock looks like a toilet roll! From afar anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you're weaning Evie. It sounds like a great way. Hopefully she will be weaned soon!
Awwww. She's a big girl now! Of course it makes sense, who wouldn't want to ride more?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteUmmm..hit a wrong button somewhere. I think she is so beautiful. I love the way you are weaning her. I couldn't bear to hear them crying for each other. I am a big softie.
ReplyDeleteCece
I always wondered. . . before they were domesticated, who weaned horses?
ReplyDelete. . .or other animals for that matter?
Anonymous,
ReplyDeletemares get 'in heat' shortly after their foal is born. In nature (and in a lot of domesticated situations too) a stallion will mount her and get her pregnant (if all goes well). A horse's pregnancy lasts 11 months. By the time their first born foal is about 9 months, the mare will no longer let it drink, because she needs her energy and milk for the next foal. That's how nature does it. With most animals I guess. Since we don't keep the horses in a herd of mares with a stallion, we have to step in. We keep our foal at home, but if the foal is sold on or is kept in a herd of other foals, we have to wean it. Preferably as late as possible and in the most relaxed way as possible. Which is what we try to do.
That is an impressive phone camera. I love watching Evie grow. :)
ReplyDeleteYour comment killed me yesterday!
I like your approach with this.. is makes more sense than just an abrupt separation. At least it's kinder.
ReplyDelete*Running back under my rock now*
;)
Hay's thinking of getting me a saltlick.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a magnificent horse she is becoming! Just lovely!
ReplyDeleteChairman Bill,
ReplyDeleteyou must be so excited ;-)
Oh, she's beautiful!! And so big!
ReplyDeleteI think you're doing the weaning in a wonderfully kind way. I'd want to do the same, if I had a mare and foal. It surely must make them both more secure and trusting, and it seems to be working just fine, if Evie walks to her stable by herself. Well done! I'm impressed. :)
She's lovely indeed and what a shiny coat. What do you use your horses for? Pleasure, dressage? They look pretty big? That's a lovely gentle way to wean a horse. I used to work on a dairy farm in the holidays and the cows hated the sudden separation from their calves, then I guess it has to be done that way to secure the milk! Only the wealthy stable their horses here, most times a clean paddock and a bit of shade is all that's required.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a human parent one day just take the pacifier completely away from their baby... so what you're doing makes perfect sense! She's growing into a beautiful horse...
ReplyDeleteand as for your closing, I very rarely use a mobile to make phone calls... let alone do all that other stuff. Does that make me ancient? ;)