02/06/2025
Unpacking the Impact of Early Weaning on Horse Behaviour
Did you know that many of the behavioural challenges we see in adult horses can often be traced back to the experience of forced and early weaning?
Panic, anxiety, spooking, being herd-bound, fence running, not listening, and a lack of trust in humans, along with being shut down and experiencing catatonia, are just some of the signs. Additionally, many displacement behaviours - including pawing, cribbing/wind sucking, weaving, lip popping, self harm/self-mutilation, learned helplessness and more - can all indicate trauma, which may be triggered by separating a young horse from their dam too soon.
This startling realisation underscores the crucial need to understand these formative moments in a horse’s life.
Research reveals that the emotional turmoil caused by separating foals from their mothers too early can leave a lasting impact. In the wild, weaning is a gentle, gradual transition that occurs naturally over several months, typically beginning between 9 and 11 months of age. However, when foals are abruptly taken from their dams before this natural process unfolds, the emotional and psychological toll can be profound and may cause lasting issues throughout their lives.
While it’s true that by the 3rd or 4th month of lactation, a foal's nutritional needs exceed the mare’s milk supply, maintaining that bond for longer has immense benefits for the young horse.
You need only imagine being torn away from your own mother as a small child; the confusion and trauma that could result is something that’s easy to empathise with. This connection drives home the importance of timing and environment during such a pivotal stage in a horse's development.
Before deciding to wean a foal or purchase a horse that has already experienced early weaning, it worth reflecting on these potential consequences.
Therefore, it is essential to encourage breeders to keep foals with their mothers for a longer period, allowing for a later and more gradual weaning experience to minimise trauma from early weaning, and when weaning does occur, ensuring that a companion horse is nearby can significantly ease the transition.
These simple yet powerful steps can create a world of difference for our horses' early development, helping to prevent a myriad of behavioural issues down the line and assisting in having calmer and more emotionally well-rounded animals.
For those keen on learning more about this important topic, I have compiled a list of references in the comments that delve into the impacts of early weaning. Together, by raising awareness and sharing knowledge, we can help curb the abrupt weaning practices that sadly affect so many young horses. This cause is close to my heart, as I often work with horses in rehab who have been impacted by such traumatic experiences.
I hope this information is useful so we can work together to create a better future for our equine companions.
Tracy @ Natural Horse NZ
