Immediate need to change the method and timing of weaning foals.
To improve the situation of horses in the short and long term, there is an "urgent need" to change collective attitudes and behaviors regarding weaning foals.
This recommendation was made in a recent study published in ScienceDirect; a study that examined the effects of different weaning methods and also the ages at which this process is carried out.
Joanne Dwyer, the lead author of this research conducted at the University of Nottingham, told Horse and Hound that the findings are fundamentally important for the welfare of horses in both the short and long term.
She said, "The term 'weaning' traditionally means the transition from milk to solid food, but when it comes to foals, that’s not what we mean; they start eating their dams' food from a few weeks old.
We are talking about the physical separation of horses that have a very deep bond with each other, and if this is done too early and too suddenly, it may cause lifelong behavioral problems due to the emotional and psychological effects of this separation.
" Ms. Dwyer had conducted a scoping review of scientific resources on weaning for her master's degree.
She found that the specialists she spoke with, including those in horse-related charities, have very high levels of experience in managing and caring for horses at all stages of life, and their perspectives are so important that they need to be examined further.
Participants viewed images related to the moment of weaning, assessed it using behavioral indicators, and shared their personal experiences.
The article states that weaning is considered one of the most stressful periods in a young horse's life, but there is limited consensus on the best practices for doing it.
Research on weaning foals is available; the article states: "Participants expressed frustration, saying that despite the volume of research supporting gradual weaning methods being sufficiently adequate, many horses are still referred to their organizations with what these centers diagnose as 'separation anxiety related to weaning,' even into adulthood.
" The article adds that two participants from one organization reported that they had turned to gradual weaning a few years ago, "the adult horses under their care, which they believe suffer from the long-term effects of sudden weaning, exhibit the same behaviors seen in foals.
" Sudden weaning means separating the mare and foal "in one step," while in the gradual method, the process starts with short separations and gradually increases the duration of separation over time.
Keeping foals apart during weaning, rather than having them alongside new companions among horses, also negatively affects their welfare.
At a session titled "The First Year of Life" during last month's British Equine Veterinary Association congress, Rebecca Mancy from the Royal Veterinary College spoke about the evidence related to best weaning practices.
She emphasized that during critical stages of growth and development, tissues are very sensitive to their environment, and their functioning can be positively or negatively influenced; an influence that may have lasting consequences.
In horses, this sensitive period is the first six months of life, or if the horse is weaned before six months, before the weaning time.
He said, "We know that weaning causes a sudden halt in the average daily weight gain, so it is probably the same period when that rapid growth phase ends."
Dr. Mansi said research on horse populations with a natural life pattern shows that voluntary weaning usually begins around 9 to 10 months of age and continues for several months, and typically neither the mare nor the foal show stress reactions.
He referred to studies where foals were weaned before six months, at six months, or after that; foals that were weaned later showed not only less stress but also better skeletal growth and development.
Another study also showed that foals weaned at 9 or 10 months of age exhibited more development in parts of the brain associated with social behavior, physiological regulation, and information processing compared to those weaned at six months.
He also mentioned studies that indicate gradual weaning is more beneficial than sudden separation.
He added, "There are numerous studies where an increase in stereotypic behaviors has been linked to individual weaning in boxes.
It seems that separating foals and placing them in individual stalls encourages some of these stereotypic behaviors."
Dr. Mansi said the best weaning practices should be tailored to each mare, each foal, and their specific conditions; a point that Ms. Dwyer also agrees with.
She said, "Your facilities and conditions determine how much you can meet the needs of the mare and foal, but in terms of health, the period of 7 to 12 months is the best time."
She said, "The reality is that in terms of health, it is better to keep them together more than we have traditionally been accustomed to.
A cultural shift needs to occur; I think strengthening cooperation with horse welfare organizations will help, especially if they publish results such as reduced mastitis in mares.
"Then it will be easier to examine the long-term effects on horses; whether they are more successful and have greater emotional stability or not?
We need more breeders to try these methods."
In summary, this study states: "All participants unanimously agreed on the need to move away from sudden and isolationist weaning methods, and this finding confirms the existing knowledge in current scientific resources."
● What do you think is the best weaning method?
Send your views along with your name, nearest city, and county of residence to hhletters@futurenet.com for a chance to have it published in one of the upcoming issues of Horse & Hound.
Source: Horse & Hound