Turnout with mare after weaning?

[iJump]

I would love to hear about things people have experienced when reintroducing weanling into a herd with the mom.

I know people do it, but how long do you wait? My weanling is going on 7 months and has been weaned since 4.

I do notice that when the weanling is stressed out she will try and ‘stress nurse’ her turnout buddy.

[BeeHoney]

It’s not a good idea. It’s much better to keep them separated for a much longer period of time. Their relationships with other horses and humans will be much more normal if they do not go back to depending on their mother.

[JB]

Weaning at such a young age may mean you have to wait longer, and the fact that she still tries to nurse on the other horse is bearing that out.

How many is she turned out with? That may make a difference too.

Mine was weaned at 7 months,and put back with his dam after 4 months. He tried to nurse once, got a stifle in his face, tried again, got booted again, and he was done.

I’ve seen some go back after a month and were fine. I’ve seen some who could never go back.

For you, I would wait until Spring.

[Nevada10]

I had a space issue and put my weanlings back out with their moms this year. One had been weaned for 5 months, the other for 3. No issues and they don’t act like they were ever related. I just recently separated the colt and put him out with the boys since he isn’t gelded yet and he’s almost a year old now.