Weaning an only foal with no buddy

[Meadow36]

I just have the one colt this year. He is currently out with his mom and two other mares.

I’d like to hear success stories of weaning babies without a buddy. He would be sharing a fence line with my gelding and have access to a stall also next to my gelding (it’s a 1 acre in/out). But they cannot go out together; my gelding is way too rough and I wouldn’t take the chance.

Is this a suitable arrangement? The only other choice I have is to wean him with one of the mares that he is currently out with. She’s a great aunt, stern but not aggressive. But then I’d have a growing colt out with a mare … doesn’t seem like a good idea to me. Eventually I’d have to wean him from her company and be right back at the beginning.

Getting another critter is not an option at this point.

[Nikki]

My colt is going through the weaning process and he’s a only foal. The mare band (aunties) keep him company when he’s in his stall by himself. Currently he’s in his own little paddock with a mini pony who keeps him in check. My mare doesn’t mind at all and is quite happy he’s not using her as a chew toy anymore.

So as long as he’s getting along with the mares and he’s behaving himself he will be ok. Mares instill excellent manners so this is a great time for him.

[Manni01]

I really think in this case the problem is him being a colt. Sure you could leave him with another mare, but you have to consider that after 9 months he will be able to breed mares… So one option would be to leave him with the other mare and then change him to the gelding after 9 months because then he will be bigger and stronger and might be able to deal with the gelding.
IMO a growing colt does need company. If you watch a band of young stallions its very nice how they interact. They need to socialize and to just hang out together.
So IMO you should consider buying another colt if you want to leave him intact if he won’t be able to deal with the gelding.

[Highflyer]

I would definitely not keep him alone. I agree with keeping him with the other mare for now and gelding him or borrowing or buying a buddy for him (even an easygoing gelding, doesn’t have to be a colt)-- or boarding him somewhere with other weanlings.

[Didi]

I had a similar situation. We “borrowed” another mare and foal (from someone we know and trust) who was ready for weaning, put the four of them together for a week, then took the mares away. Now the colts are as happy as clams together. Maybe there is someone you know and trust in your area who would like to “borrow” your mare and foal for the same reason. That way, you would not be getting another critter, but your foal would have a buddy.

[Crockpot]

borrowed a retired gelding ‘uncle’ when had to deal with this a few yrs ago.

[crosscreeksh]

[QUOTE=Highflyer;8311355]
I would definitely not keep him alone. I agree with keeping him with the other mare for now and gelding him or borrowing or buying a buddy for him (even an easygoing gelding, doesn’t have to be a colt)-- or boarding him somewhere with other weanlings.[/QUOTE]

THIS!!! He should NOT be alone. Horses are social animals and he needs interaction with others…not just over a fence, but touchy, feely!! Get a rescue pony/donkey/whatever to keep him company…or send him to live with someone else who has “weaners”/companions.

[Foxtrot_s]

I’ve sent mine up country into ranchland for a season or two, just for that reason, to let them grow, stretch, communicate, learn manners with other babies and other mature horses.

It is easy for these babies to become too used to people and become handfuls if not given normal, natural kindergarten.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

geld him before weaning…then wean and keep with one of the mares.

I leave mine out at the breeding farm until they re yearlings. This way they are out in a herd of others their own age. When I bring them home, they are big enough that I have other horses they can go out with.

[EventerAJ]

If I was in the situation, I’d leave him out with the nanny mare until he became a “Colt.” When he starts realizing he’s a boy, he can go out with the other gelding, if you haven’t gelded the colt by then.

Getting a little beat up by older horses is not necessarily a bad thing for a cocky young horse. You don’t want him hurt, of course, but a little hazing and harassment generally makes them much more mannerly.

[can_t_re]

But they cannot go out together; my gelding is way too rough and I wouldn’t take the chance.
I trust you on that - don’t put them out together, wean him with the mare. Are you not planning on gelding him?

[Sugarbrook]

Geld him before you wean him. Its slick and easy, then he can go live with the nanny mares. Best would be for him to be with another baby so they can play.

[Meadow36]

Thanks for the ideas.

I’m not looking to geld him at this point; he is a full TB/race prospect/yearling sale prospect. I am looking at some free geldings in my area for weaning but honestly we are moving and the last thing I need is another mouth to feed. Maybe a pony or something.

He absolutely cannot go out with my riding gelding. Both horses will be lame and beat up. I speak from history on this.

The stall/attached paddock is right in the middle of the action; other horses, barn aisle, etc. It’s not like he’d be isolated at all. Plus it has excellent grass. I wish the nanny mare I have in mind was bred, then the colt thing would be a non issue, but she did not catch this year. She’s already out with the little guy and she’s the best aunt in the world. She is firm yet tolerant and really seems to look after him.

[Lord_Helpus]

Is it too late to nominate him for a fall sale? Keeneland has a Nov breeding stock sale – I do not know where you live, or if there are such sales in your area Since he has the breeding and conformaiton for a TB sale and you do not have a viable situation for him, then selling him in Nov or Jan might be a good option

The best alternative is to board him at a breeding farm . Since your mare did not get in foal this year, you have the [unused] stud fee just hanging around, right? (This is how I rationalize things.)

Seriously my youngster will (probably) be staying at the breeding farm she was borm at once she is weaned; she will be able to hang out with her own sex in a huge field. Can’t beat it at $10/day, especially since you are moving and one less horse to worry about is not a bad thing.

[sid]

[QUOTE=Meadow36;8313071]
Thanks for the ideas.

I’m not looking to geld him at this point; he is a full TB/race prospect/yearling sale prospect. I am looking at some free geldings in my area for weaning but honestly we are moving and the last thing I need is another mouth to feed. Maybe a pony or something.

He absolutely cannot go out with my riding gelding. Both horses will be lame and beat up. I speak from history on this.

The stall/attached paddock is right in the middle of the action; other horses, barn aisle, etc. It’s not like he’d be isolated at all. Plus it has excellent grass. I wish the nanny mare I have in mind was bred, then the colt thing would be a non issue, but she did not catch this year. She’s already out with the little guy and she’s the best aunt in the world. She is firm yet tolerant and really seems to look after him.[/QUOTE]

As a stop-gap (or last resort) could you put the auntie on Regumate? Less expensive than another mouth to feed.

[gumtree]

If you have bred and are raising him for TB yearling market and you want to have a “finished” horse that has a good chance of making money. IMO you really need to send him to a farm that he can be turned out with others of his kind. And be able to run around and develop in something considerably bigger than a 1 acre paddock. They need the interaction of others not only for their mental stability and social skills but more importantly for quality bone development and overall physical appearance.

As a TB breeder and buyer I have inspected these “types” and more times than not they are under developed come sales time and will be dismissed by the market. A market that is very, very picky.

I never geld early whether we are breeding for the market or our own racing program. Certainly not as a weaner. I firmly believe they need the “package” for proper over all development.

If they are going to be gelded it will be because they can’t keep their mind on their business when being started and trained. If they don’t seem to have “stakes quality” ability they are gelded in the latter part of their 2 year old year.

To each their own on this.

[Fred]

I would get an older pony gelding. I know you don’t want another mouth to feed, but they are not big eaters. I love their bossy yet phlegmatic attitude, so good with the babies. They put up with being played with only ‘this much’ and then they tell the baby off, without hurting him.
Your colt would be getting the activity and the socialization he needs
I am sure you would be able to borrow one from someone you know, and give him back when your colt goes to the sale.

[gumtree]

[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8313126]
Is it too late to nominate him for a fall sale? Keeneland has a Nov breeding stock sale – I do not know where you live, or if there are such sales in your area Since he has the breeding and conformaiton for a TB sale and you do not have a viable situation for him, then selling him in Nov or Jan might be a good option

The best alternative is to board him at a breeding farm . Since your mare did not get in foal this year, you have the [unused] stud fee just hanging around, right? (This is how I rationalize things.)

Seriously my youngster will (probably) be staying at the breeding farm she was borm at once she is weaned; she will be able to hang out with her own sex in a huge field. Can’t beat it at $10/day, especially since you are moving and one less horse to worry about is not a bad thing.[/QUOTE]

Keeneland November breeding stock sale closed August 1. It would have to be something pretty special to get in now. The next KY sale is Jan. There are a few other regional sales that maybe still “open”.

[Crockpot]

I would get an older pony gelding. I know you don’t want another mouth to feed, but they are not big eaters. I love their bossy yet phlegmatic attitude, so good with the babies. They put up with being played with only ‘this much’ and then they tell the baby off, without hurting him.

Yes the old guy we borrowed was perfect like that. While maybe not ideal (herd better) , the kid turned out great-though he was born with a fantastic temperament anyway.