I’m sure this has been discussed before, but what is an appropriate amount of time to keep baby separated from the mare post-weaning? With all previous foals, we have kept them in separate groups for a period of at least a year or so after weaning without needing to re-integrate them together so it has been a non-issue. Because of the current setup of our turnout groups, however, it would be nice to be able to turn our (soon to be weaned) colt back out with his mother after the weaning period. Thoughts?
I wouldn’t ever put a colt back in with his dam. My 10 month old was trying to breed his dam through the fence even though she was securely in foal.
This is my first year with the same issue you have. I was planning on waiting a month then trying them together again. If they latch on to one another then I’ll separate them again. It all depends on how everyone reacts. The filly will be 7 months old when I officially wean, she’s pretty much weaned at this point but mamma needs the space from baby.
I think it totally depends on the mare. Some will let them nurse even after an extended period of time and some won’t. My last broodmare I separated her foals for only one month and could turn them back out together. The foal might try to nurse a few times but she always said “no way!” and that was the end of it. I do think it is pretty mare dependent.
Nursing again or not is the least of her worries. Most people frown on mother son pregnancies.
[QUOTE=Laurierace;7241217]
Nursing again or not is the least of her worries. Most people frown on mother son pregnancies.[/QUOTE]
I’m sorry I gave you the impression I was that clueless. I do not intend to keep him intact; the colt is definitely going to be gelded before going back in with his dam, don’t worry. :lol:
I worried when I brought my mare home after a month. Her pasture is right next to her son’s. I was prepared for fence pacing and calling but they have not even acknowledged one another.
I’m in the same boat…moms are off-site and my two 7mo colts are in with their aunts and uncle (nothing even close to a mounting situation yet as the adults push them around pretty well, so I plan to geld early Spring, and have a private paddock for them if needed before then). I was told 2-months apart, 3 to be sure, so that’s what I’m planning on.
I separate all winter. Sometimes longer, it depends on the mare. Some mares don’t care after a month or two, some mares take longer. The odd mare will let their yearlings and 2-year-olds nurse right alongside their newborns.
It also depends on the colt situation. This year, I had only 1 colt and I’m keeping him intact for now. As luck would have it, I also no longer have a gelding (unless I happen to find 1 or 2 in the next week or so), so winter living accommodations will be settled for a while, but then I may have to reorganize it as we head towards March because of him.
[QUOTE=Tradewind;7241460]
I’m sorry I gave you the impression I was that clueless. I do not intend to keep him intact; the colt is definitely going to be gelded before going back in with his dam, don’t worry. :lol:[/QUOTE]
You clearly stated you were putting your COLT out with his mother in your OP. Not sure how that makes me the dumb one.
One month didn’t do it…
We have only one foal this year, a filly. She and her mother were completely apart on different properties for a month. When back at home together, both became reattached immediately. They are not in together so not sure about nursing. Rather like very, very attached buddies when they can’t see one another. Tolerable as I can still ride (arena is in sight) the dam but not ideal. You betcha this mare knows that bratty little girl is hers! 
Good luck to you.
[QUOTE=Laurierace;7242165]
You clearly stated you were putting your COLT out with his mother in your OP. Not sure how that makes me the dumb one.[/QUOTE]
I don’t think she said you were :-)… we all know better.
Question though, I tend to call my weanings / yearlings colts even though theyve been gelded until they are about two… is this what everyone else does or do you tend to start calling them geldings once you geld them? hijacking the thread abit ha.
In my experience one month isn’t nearly enough time to get mom and offspring to forget their relationship… Try 3 or 4 months… :yes:
A friend of mine was able to put her filly and mare back together after a month, and it was fine.
I put my colt, errrr, gelding 
back after 4 months. 2 tries at nursing and a few kicks later, it wasn’t a problem.
I have an ‘earth mother’ type of mare. I put her colt (yes colt!) in a neighbouring paddock after they had been seperated by several paddocks for 4 months. He immediately starting trying to suckle her through the post and rail. And the old girl was trying to make it easier for him by getting up close alongside the fence!
I have tried reuniting mares and foals after one month, but in one instance one foal did try to nurse, and was accepted.
I always re-unite my mares and foals in the big pasture for the winter. (It works for me, as I can then control the related gates through successive snowstorms). Generally 6 to 8 weeks of separation and then all are back together. The mares are in-foal (except the retired 24 yo), and I’ve not had any problems with this big herd situation, for many years.
We put them back together after a month with no problems whatsoever. As long as the mare is dried up, we haven’t had any issue. Like someone else said, some foals may try to nurse once or twice, but most mares won’t let them.
Sheila
[QUOTE=Laurierace;7242165]
You clearly stated you were putting your COLT out with his mother in your OP. Not sure how that makes me the dumb one.[/QUOTE]
I was not suggesting that you were “dumb” by any means, rather that your tone suggested that you assumed I was ignorant of the obvious problem with turning an uncut colt back out with his dam. I failed to mention that he would be gelded as it wasn’t particularly relevant to the original question I had asked. I’m glad we cleared that up, nonetheless.
Good to hear everyone’s responses. It’s pretty much as I figured: there’s no hard and fast rule about how long they should be separated. I might just try a few months apart and try them back in together…
I definitely think it’s dependent on the mare. I tried putting a filly back with her dam after 5 or 6 months, and the filly immediately tried to nurse! (and her dam let her try!) This was this mares first baby, and she was very much a “doting” type with this filly. She’s in foal again for 2014. I’ll be curious to see how she is with the new foal.
[QUOTE=jdeboer01;7244010]
I definitely think it’s dependent on the mare. I tried putting a filly back with her dam after 5 or 6 months, and the filly immediately tried to nurse! (and her dam let her try!) This was this mares first baby, and she was very much a “doting” type with this filly. She’s in foal again for 2014. I’ll be curious to see how she is with the new foal.[/QUOTE]
In my case, it is the mare’s fifth foal. She’s pretty nurturing and tolerant in general but she’s been around the block! Baby is getting pretty independent and she seems rather relieved, so hopefully she will not be receptive to him trying to nurse after a short-ish separation.
