Question: We expect our Appaloosa mare to foal within the next few weeks. We’d like to start getting the mare and foal used to short periods of separation as soon as possible, as the mare will not be rebred. She will be showing this year with our son, who is in 4-H. What’s the earliest we can start separating the mare from her foal, and for how long can we separate them?

Answer: The immediate postpartum period (the first few hours after foaling) are critical for the mare to recognize and accept her foal, as well as to allow the foal to nurse and receive the benefits of precious colostrum. See my previous post: How often will my foal nurse? for more information on nursing bouts. Almost half of foals will nurse within 30 minutes or so of foaling, while the majority nurse within two hours of foaling.

 Some research has shown that the mare-foal bond forms over the first two weeks, is strongest at approximately two weeks post-foaling, and then decreases with time (Houpt, K.A. 2002. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 78:319-328). The mare will lick, sniff, touch her foal and perform other activities directed toward the foal many times (observed to be 81 +/- 12 times) in the first 10 minutes postpartum, according to the aforementioned study.

Separating the mare and foal will probably be most traumatic for both mare and foal at two weeks of age. Separating mare and foal prior to the foal turning two weeks of age may cause undue anxiety in the mare and foal and may inhibit the formation of the mare-foal bond. The mare will likely be unable to focus on her work and the foal may miss out on nursing and will also be stressed by the absence of its dam for extended periods of time. The study I mentioned separated mare and foal for only 5 minutes, and increased vocalizations and agitated behavior were observed in both dam and foal. 

Most foals are not weaned (separated entirely from the dam) until 4 to 6 months (or more) of age. By this time, the foal is able to eat solids and drink water to meet its nutritional needs. Many foals receive creep feed (supplying supplemental feed to foals prior to weaning). The purpose of providing creep feed is to introduce the foals to solid feed in an area that the mares cannot reach. Remember, horses are gluttonous and will overeat if given the opportunity, so the amount of creep feed given is limited by number of foals. See my post on Common Feeding Issues for some examples of common feeding behaviors and issues.

So how can you work with the mare and not overstress her and the foal before weaning? One way is to work with the mare and foal in adjoining box stalls (or even the same one). Since you mentioned that your son will be the one showing the mare, be sure you or another competent horse person is always there to assist. Most mares are agreeable to being groomed while their foals are in the same stall, and adjacent ones as the foal ages. You can also start teaching the foal appropriate ground manners at this early stage, while it is in the comfortable vicinity of its dam. Lightly running a brush over the foal’s withers, neck, and back is an easy way to introduce the sensation. Foals are naturally inquisitive and may try to play with you as you work with the mare. Because of this tendency, you may also wish to begin halter training of your foal at this time for the safety of you and others. Start with just a few minutes of training. Fifteen to twenty minutes is often the maximum attention span of a foal in the beginning. You may want to start with five minute sessions, and increase your time over a few days.

Once the mare and foal are comfortable being separated in box stalls, you should be able to take the mare farther away and for a longer period of time. Remember that she her body requires good nutrition and free choice fresh water to make enough milk for her foal. She will need additional calories on top of her normal lactation ration if she is being worked to maintain (or gain condition in some cases). I do not recommend working your mare hard while she is lactating or during the drying off period, but she should be able to withstand some conditioning exercise and general handling time. Talk to your vet about changing her ration to suit her needs as a broodmare and working mare. Good luck!