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.
Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.
I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.
And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hi Angela,
Your mare may have trouble drying up if she hears her foal whinnying for her. And, in my opinion, 5 months is too early to wean a foal. There is plenty of research to substantiate the development of bad habits, aggressive behavior, or very timid behavior in adult horses that have been weaned early and in a "cold turkey" manner through complete separation.
So, perhaps you could put them back together for another couple of months, and very slowly separate them for gradually increasing amounts of time. This will allow her to naturally become accustomed to weaning her foal on her own and she will dry up much more quickly.
Right now, she is in a lot of pain, and she is also very stressed. And, it is obvious that you care about her -- so take it a little more slowly and nature will take its course.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO