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Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition

   Welcome to my forum. 

Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information. 

Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you. 

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All the best,

 Dr. Getty 

 



Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
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Re: weaning/ drying mare up

Hi Lynette!

Thanks so much for the picture -- she is gorgeous!!! I know you must be so proud of her!

You're feeding your mare just fine. Once she stops nursing, you can likely discontinue the canola oil, since her calorie needs will significantly decrease.

The only way to completely dry her up is to separate them 24/7. Your filly is only 6 months old and in my opinion, there isn't any hurry to do it immediately (unless you're trying to sell the filly). So, I would suggest that you continue to separate them for longer and longer periods of time, but do it very slowly to reduce stress. Stressful weaning has been shown, in study and after study, that it leads to bad behaviors and habits when the youngsters grow into adulthood.

I am more inclined to let nature take its course and let the mare wean her filly on her own, which she will eventually do. So, trust your instincts on this and see how stressed your filly is with the separation. If you have another youngster to keep her company, that, of course, would be ideal.

Keep me posted!!!

Best regards,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, Colorado