CONTENTS

Wishing Star Gallop - Making Special Children's Dreams a Reality

Allegra Equine Formula Presents EquiMasters 2003

Book Preview - The Power of Horses

Youth of the Month - Kaitlin Ens

The Gallop Pole - Weaning Time

Washington State Foundation Quarter Horse Club News

Real Estate - Some Considerations When Buying Agricultural Land

UPCOMING ISSUES

January
Wishing Star

February
Paint

March
Quarterhorse

April
Arabian

May
Reining Horse

June
Gaited Horse

July
Fjord Horse

August
Trail & Recreational Riding

September
Ride the West

October
Miniature Horse

November
Open Breed

December
Open Breed

Don't forget
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next month's
publication."

The Gallop Pole
Your Monthly Equine Information Source!

Weaning Time

Weaning time can be frustrating. Here are a few general considerations which may be helpful in this natural process toward survival of a healthy mare and foal, and may relieve some stress for the observant owner.
1. RESEARCH the theory of natural weaning among wild horses and settle on what is valuable to your domestic situation. Nobody helps wean a wild horse, but you are the third member of the domestic weaning team.
2. WATCH your mare and her nursing foal regularly for prolonged periods of time without distraction. Mark the foal's tendencies to take a different direction from the common bond. Infancy fades with teething and strength will seek independence.
3. REMEMBER that you are not a horse. Attribute none of the characteristics of your own motivation and behavior to your horses. You can't know what they know and vice versa.
4. BREAK down and apart your own particular weaning situation. Analyse the elements with a view to the importance of each. Key parts will always fall into the broad catagories of Time and Space. Time before, during the weaning interval, and after will relate to the Space surrounding your horses' domestication.
5. LIST the situational questions of water, feed, shelter, containment, etc. Each will test your confidence and ambition. This list is good because it will connect every weaning problem to a potential solution.
6. SHARE your list with somebody who has history of a weaning situation similar to yours. Go over your list with them on their ground and physically compare their space to yours. The answers to most of your weaning questions will come from people who have had successful, repeated experiences and solved problems just like yours. You will wean your foal better after outside coaching.
7. PLAN the exact timing of weaning initiation and its duration on the ground where it can be maintained. Decide what the post-weaning relationship between mare and foal will be and how it can be sustained. Inform your veterinarian of your intentions and don't worry: there is nourishment beyond mare's milk.
8. STICK to your plan. If it is good, believe in it, and it will work. To waver from your plan will weaken your horses and bother your mind. Monitor your mare and foal. If either starts going astray and you can't stand it, call the vet before you waver from your plan. Nature is reliable, but your domesticated horses rely on you to help them survive Weaning Time.

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