Weaning Season is in full swing! Good luck everyone!
Excellent article on weaning - http://www.equinews.com/article/weaning-stress-can-be-minimized-by-management?utm_source=KER+Newsletter&utm_campaign=6ca273c7d2-Weekly_Feed_Northern_8_24_20111_12_2011&utm_medium=email
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses. Furthermore, modern breeding management and technologies can increase the rate of conception, a healthy pregnancy, and successful foaling.
Here is the explanation for newbies to 'Weaning By The Signs" -
The theory is that for many years the old farmers weaned calves based on the astrological signs. The Feed/Seed Co-Op stores usually give away this kind of zodiac calendar. The theory is based on the belief that certain zodiacs rule certain parts of the body.
Capricorn ruled body parts include bones (skeletal structure), joints, knees and teeth.
Aquarius ruled body parts are the circulatory system, ankles, Achilles heal, calves and shins.
Pisces rules the feet and the immune system.
Those are the three zodiac signs that govern the lowest part of a body.
Farmers used that theory that when the zodiac (moon) signs were in the lowest part of the body - during Pieces - otherwise termed that the blood was in the feet, the lowest part of the body during this phase - that less trauma occurred and events of a more dramatic nature were less stressful. Thus, weanings and geldings were always done when the signs (zodiac/moon) were in the lower extremities - with Pieces being the best time.
Old time horsemen followed this theory and it has always lent itself to a smoother, less stressful weaning and gelding.
Weanings in general always work best when the natural progression of weaning has already begun by the dam, and that, along with using the weaning by the signs theory, almost guarantees a smooth and safe event.
Use the final three days in the run of days ensures the most grounded time frame for weaning.
Collected threads from 2010-2011 on purpose-breeding for eventers. Feel free to add others as well. Helpful published articles posted in other threads are at the bottom.
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324671
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324677
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322254
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182949
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302026
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=294949
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=295580
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279326
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287664
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287374
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282963
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283712
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318889
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316886
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=309658
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=205506
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271034
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=253369
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=246808
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=246818
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239676
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242561
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238723
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238636
Selecting Fillies and Mares for a World-Class Breeding Programme: http://www.morningside-stud.com/gpage22.html
The Importance of Culling Mares:
http://www.morningside-stud.com/gpage30.html
Choosing Mares for a Breeding Program
http://www.morningside-stud.com/gpage32.html
Article by Julia Hodkin, owner of the young stallion Future Illusion, on how to assess your mare for breeding, which provides a framework for objectively assessing the qualities of your mare and rank ordering her good/weaker points.
http://www.horsebreedersmagazine.com…011/4553809543
Article in the Irish Independent regarding the William Micklem study on the TB influence in event breeding:
http://www.independent.ie/farming/ne...s-2854720.html
USEA convention video on 4* breeding – Bruce Davidson etc.
http://blip.tv/useventing/breeding-a…-rider-2996197
VirginiaBred’s 2012 Weaning By The Signs thread.
Weaning By the Signs 2012
January – 25, 26
February – 21, 22
March – 19, 20, 21
April – 16, 17
May 13, 14
June – 10, 11
July – 7, 8
August – 3, 4
September – 27, 28
October – 24, 25
November – 20, 21
December – 17, 18, 19
Castrating by the signs??
I can’t seem to find the reference site for castrating by the signs for 2012. Anybody know what the site is??? Thanks.
Crosscreeksh - use the same signs as the ones I posted for weaning.
Interesting weaning tips from Equinews -
http://www.equinews.com/article/common-methods-weaning-horses
Thanks VB. Jackie
You’re more than welcome!
Raising a “dummy” foal: a video journal
If you have such a foal born and not sure what to do, here is my video diary of our experiences. Included are what worked, what is required, and what your life will be like for the first couple of weeks after the birth.
My hope is that someone watches it and takes a chance! Raising such a foal is truly is an amazing experience. This video documents our successfully saving Percheron “Chakra,” using “home” care.
Good luck on your journey!
previous post reported
Question: Are the weaning dates supposed to correspond to the full moon? This month the dates were Nov 24-25, but the full moon here was Nov 28-29. Is there variability by region, or is relation to full moon not a factor?
Thanks.
I post the dates from when on the Farmer’s Almanac calendar when Pieces is shown on the various dates. Bloodhorse Magazine also posts the dates.
[QUOTE=VirginiaBred;6637000]
I post the dates from when on the Farmer’s Almanac calendar when Pieces is shown on the various dates. Bloodhorse Magazine also posts the dates.[/QUOTE]
OK. Thanks. So, nothing to do with the full moon.
Hi! I’m breeding for the first time this spring (yay!) and this section is proving to be very educational. I thought I would ask a question here and maybe some of you more experienced folks could help me out, ;). What is the best things I should be doing now, to get ready to breed in may? Vaccinations? Ultra sounds? Cultures? 
any help would be wonderful! My mare is 16, and has had few foals already, but has taken the last two years off. Thanks!
Best Days to Wean, November & December, 2013
Best weaing days in November:
[I]November 9th - 13th are the good times to wean
Best weaning days in December:
December 6th - 10th are the good days to wean[/I]
A recent article in The Horse (www.thehorse.com) supports what many breeders (me definitely) have known all along, that weaning is easiest when the mare and foal are out of sight and sound. Read here for more:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/33129/weaning-options-for-foals
