Are We Weaning too Early?  

Science-based research suggests reconsidering the practice of artificial weaning

Weaning can be stressful for both foal and mare. Keeping them just a fence apart can be helpful in the process.
Photo: Vielbauch - Thorsten Schneider

Wood chewing and crib biting can be stereotypic behaviour caused by early weaning.

An active role in weaning

Over time, the foals initiate changes in their behaviours and interactions with the mare. Studies have found individual variations among foals of the same breed, which can be related to genetics or unique experiences of the foal. Overall, the natural weaning process in horses is gradual and involves changes in nutrition, behaviour, and social interactions. The changes in mare-foal distance and suckling activities are mainly due to the foal’s initiatives, which shows that the youngster plays an active role in the weaning process. In natural living horses, weaning takes place at 9-10 months, significantly later than the 4-7 months of age in artificial weaning.

Rethinking the process 

Previous research has, until now, focused on reducing the stress and adverse effects that weaning entails for both the mare and the foal. For this reason, the researchers argue that more knowledge is needed about how the optimal weaning process should be. Our practice of early artificial weaning must change if we aim to produce non-traumatised horses that can form secure attachments with people. 

Mare owners must understand the factors and the consequences involved in artificial weaning. During the natural weaning, no frustration or distress behaviour is observed in either mare or foal. The behavioural effects on the youngster and dam during artificial weaning in horses are well documented. It is commonly agreed that both are likely to suffer from stress at this time. Given what we know about horse welfare, perhaps we should question this practice. We must ask ourselves if early weaning is necessary or if there is a need for a new approach to artificial weaning.

A special bond form between mare and foal.

Short-term impact of early weaning

Early weaning can impact the physiological health of the foal and lead to adverse behavioural responses. Foals can be heard calling for their dams, and increased whinnying can be heard over long distances. Foals are on high alert and can be seen eliminating more frequently. Increased movements are also observed; some foals may even try to escape by jumping the fence. This behaviour poses a risk of injury associated with weaning, especially in the first two days. 














The hidden consequences of early weaning

Eventually though, as the separation continues, the foal is less upset than in the beginning. The foal may still have strong negative feelings about the loss, and although it may come across as calming down and settling in, it can be deceiving. Changes in behaviour can be seen for much longer, such as a change in feeding and sleeping patterns. Some foals can become more aggressive and stop playing, and in frustration, they may redirect suckling behaviour toward their peers.

Weaning is the leading cause of stereotypic
 behaviour

Several scientific studies point to weaning as a leading cause of stereotypic behaviour and a reason for impairment of the horse’s welfare. For example, in a survey of 225 young horses weaned at five months old, 30 % showed abnormal wood chewing after ten weeks, and 7 % showed stereotypic behaviour at the age of 1,5 years. In addition, researchers found impaired learning was more often seen in stereotypic horses than healthy horses. 

Maintaining the bond

In contrast to the stressful weaning practice caused by the human separation of mare and foal, natural weaning in wild horses is a peaceful process. It is often induced by the foal, with no sign of rejection or stress for either part. Under natural conditions, mares and foals form a close bond that begins at birth. During the first month, the foals largely depend on their dams for nourishment and protection, and mares and foals are usually no more than five meters from each other. Of course, as time goes on, the mare-foal relationship changes. 

Weaning happens during several months

The weaning process in horses living in semi-natural conditions is gradual. It takes place during several months and is characterised by a gradual increase in the mare-foal distance, a decrease in suckling frequency, and increased social interactions. However, what surprised the researchers was that they saw no difference in how often the mare nursed the foal in the last two weeks before weaning. The results indicate that the leading cause of stress during artificial weaning is the abruptly ended bond between the mare and the foal rather than the end of nursing.

Weaning is not just about nutrition

The weaning of foals is not just about a change in nutrition, but also about forming a secure base from which the foal can learn what it means to become a grown horse. Researchers suggest that humans and other mammals have a natural need to form a strong bond with a primary caregiver, usually their mother, to survive. They develop nurturing relationships with consistent, attuned and responsive caregivers. Caregivers help regulate their arousal levels and provide a sense of safety and security. Secure attachment is vital for growth and development, learning social norms, and navigating relationships. 

Early traumas, which can come from early weaning, and other disruptions to the attachment, can affect a horse’s behaviour and bonding with humans. Studies suggest that many domesticated horses have experienced early traumas, which should be considered when interpreting their behaviour and understanding their attachment towards humans. 

By Merete Haahr

Photos: Vielbauch - Thorsten Schneider & Kamila Tworkowska

Weaning is one of the most stressful events for the foal and its dam. Initiated by humans, artificial weaning has numerous behavioural and physiological consequences. However, behavioural researchers have shown that weaning occurs much later for horses living in the wild and causes no stress. With the horse’s welfare in mind, perhaps it is time to rethink this practice?


The first year of life is a critical and sensitive time for foals and their mothers. The influence of the dam on a foal’s sense and social interactions during early stages contributes to the long development of individual characteristics later in life. In domestic studs, most foals are usually artificially weaned between 4–7 months of life. A group of researchers from France and Iceland have attempted to take a comprehensive approach to previous research on weaning. Furthermore, they have also conducted a new study on how weaning occurs in natural circumstances. Here, they found that weaning takes place at 9-10 months of age. In the natural circumstances it is a peaceful process, often induced by the foal, with no sign of rejection or stress for either part. The researchers believe that we should look at the traditional procedure of weaning. We need to consider the welfare implications for the foal and the mare and perhaps consider the benefit of keeping the foals with their dams longer.

What is weaning? 

Weaning, is widely recognised as the most traumatic time in any animal’s life. The separation of the dam and the foal means they can no longer see, hear, or touch one another. Breaking the bond is usually abrupt and occurs when the little one is still closely bonded to its mother. By early weaning, the foal is exposed to several nutritional, social and environmental challenges. There is increasing evidence that weaning can lead to short-term and, in some cases, long-term severe adverse outcomes.

The background for weaning

The practice of artificial weaning as early as when the foal is four months old can be sourced back to the second half of the 19th century. Researchers found that the mare’s milk is no longer enough to satisfy the rapidly growing foal around three to four months after foaling. Therefore, early weaning was thought to optimise domestic foals’ physical development. The routine practice of early artificial weaning spread among professional breeders, closely followed by non-professional breeders owning one or two mares. With today’s knowledge about horse welfare and the new possibilities for horse keeping and feeding, there is no reason to wean foals early. Despite this, it is still a widespread practice amongst breeders due to practical and economic reasons. Unfortunately, some of the reasons are based more on habits and tradition, and not on the prospects of improving the welfare of domestic foals.

Assessing welfare during the process

To assess good welfare, meeting emotional needs is equally important as meeting physical needs. The Five Domains Model is a scientifically based structure for evaluating animal welfare. It considers the fact that animals can experience a range of positive and negative emotions and emphasises the critical role of positive experiences in an animal’s well-being. 

  • The model comprises five domains: Nutrition, Environment, Health, Behaviour, and Mental. 

  • By artificially weaning a foal before it is ready, the foal’s welfare is compromised in all five domains:

  • First, the foal’s nutrition is compromised as it may not fully digest solid food.

  • The foal’s environment is changed as it can no longer stay with its mother and the herd.

  • Weaning can compromise the foal’s health, as it is exposed to new pathogens and stress.

  • The foal’s behaviour is affected as it may develop stereotypic behaviour such as crib-biting or weaving.

  • The foal’s mental state is suffering as it is exposed to fear and distress.

Weaning can be stressful for both foal and mare. Keeping them just a fence apart can be helpful in the process.
Photo: Vielbauch - Thorsten Schneider

An active role in weaning

Over time, the foals initiate changes in their behaviours and interactions with the mare. Studies have found individual variations among foals of the same breed, which can be related to genetics or unique experiences of the foal. Overall, the natural weaning process in horses is gradual and involves changes in nutrition, behaviour, and social interactions. The changes in mare-foal distance and suckling activities are mainly due to the foal’s initiatives, which shows that the youngster plays an active role in the weaning process. In natural living horses, weaning takes place at 9-10 months, significantly later than the 4-7 months of age in artificial weaning.

Rethinking the process 

Previous research has, until now, focused on reducing the stress and adverse effects that weaning entails for both the mare and the foal. For this reason, the researchers argue that more knowledge is needed about how the optimal weaning process should be. Our practice of early artificial weaning must change if we aim to produce non-traumatised horses that can form secure attachments with people. 

Mare owners must understand the factors and the consequences involved in artificial weaning. During the natural weaning, no frustration or distress behaviour is observed in either mare or foal. The behavioural effects on the youngster and dam during artificial weaning in horses are well documented. It is commonly agreed that both are likely to suffer from stress at this time. Given what we know about horse welfare, perhaps we should question this practice. We must ask ourselves if early weaning is necessary or if there is a need for a new approach to artificial weaning.

Short-term impact of early weaning

Early weaning can impact the physiological health of the foal and lead to adverse behavioural responses. Foals can be heard calling for their dams, and increased whinnying can be heard over long distances. Foals are on high alert and can be seen eliminating more frequently. Increased movements are also observed; some foals may even try to escape by jumping the fence. This behaviour poses a risk of injury associated with weaning, especially in the first two days. 














The hidden consequences of early weaning

Eventually though, as the separation continues, the foal is less upset than in the beginning. The foal may still have strong negative feelings about the loss, and although it may come across as calming down and settling in, it can be deceiving. Changes in behaviour can be seen for much longer, such as a change in feeding and sleeping patterns. Some foals can become more aggressive and stop playing, and in frustration, they may redirect suckling behaviour toward their peers.

Weaning is the leading cause of stereotypic
 behaviour

Several scientific studies point to weaning as a leading cause of stereotypic behaviour and a reason for impairment of the horse’s welfare. For example, in a survey of 225 young horses weaned at five months old, 30 % showed abnormal wood chewing after ten weeks, and 7 % showed stereotypic behaviour at the age of 1,5 years. In addition, researchers found impaired learning was more often seen in stereotypic horses than healthy horses. 

Maintaining the bond

In contrast to the stressful weaning practice caused by the human separation of mare and foal, natural weaning in wild horses is a peaceful process. It is often induced by the foal, with no sign of rejection or stress for either part. Under natural conditions, mares and foals form a close bond that begins at birth. During the first month, the foals largely depend on their dams for nourishment and protection, and mares and foals are usually no more than five meters from each other. Of course, as time goes on, the mare-foal relationship changes. 

Weaning happens during several months

The weaning process in horses living in semi-natural conditions is gradual. It takes place during several months and is characterised by a gradual increase in the mare-foal distance, a decrease in suckling frequency, and increased social interactions. However, what surprised the researchers was that they saw no difference in how often the mare nursed the foal in the last two weeks before weaning. The results indicate that the leading cause of stress during artificial weaning is the abruptly ended bond between the mare and the foal rather than the end of nursing.

Wood chewing and crib biting can be stereotypic behaviour caused by early weaning.

A special bond form between mare and foal.

Weaning is not just about nutrition

The weaning of foals is not just about a change in nutrition, but also about forming a secure base from which the foal can learn what it means to become a grown horse. Researchers suggest that humans and other mammals have a natural need to form a strong bond with a primary caregiver, usually their mother, to survive. They develop nurturing relationships with consistent, attuned and responsive caregivers. Caregivers help regulate their arousal levels and provide a sense of safety and security. Secure attachment is vital for growth and development, learning social norms, and navigating relationships. 

Early traumas, which can come from early weaning, and other disruptions to the attachment, can affect a horse’s behaviour and bonding with humans. Studies suggest that many domesticated horses have experienced early traumas, which should be considered when interpreting their behaviour and understanding their attachment towards humans. 

The first year of life is a critical and sensitive time for foals and their mothers. The influence of the dam on a foal’s sense and social interactions during early stages contributes to the long development of individual characteristics later in life. In domestic studs, most foals are usually artificially weaned between 4–7 months of life. A group of researchers from France and Iceland have attempted to take a comprehensive approach to previous research on weaning. Furthermore, they have also conducted a new study on how weaning occurs in natural circumstances. Here, they found that weaning takes place at 9-10 months of age. In the natural circumstances it is a peaceful process, often induced by the foal, with no sign of rejection or stress for either part. The researchers believe that we should look at the traditional procedure of weaning. We need to consider the welfare implications for the foal and the mare and perhaps consider the benefit of keeping the foals with their dams longer.

What is weaning? 

Weaning, is widely recognised as the most traumatic time in any animal’s life. The separation of the dam and the foal means they can no longer see, hear, or touch one another. Breaking the bond is usually abrupt and occurs when the little one is still closely bonded to its mother. By early weaning, the foal is exposed to several nutritional, social and environmental challenges. There is increasing evidence that weaning can lead to short-term and, in some cases, long-term severe adverse outcomes.

The background for weaning

The practice of artificial weaning as early as when the foal is four months old can be sourced back to the second half of the 19th century. Researchers found that the mare’s milk is no longer enough to satisfy the rapidly growing foal around three to four months after foaling. Therefore, early weaning was thought to optimise domestic foals’ physical development. The routine practice of early artificial weaning spread among professional breeders, closely followed by non-professional breeders owning one or two mares. With today’s knowledge about horse welfare and the new possibilities for horse keeping and feeding, there is no reason to wean foals early. Despite this, it is still a widespread practice amongst breeders due to practical and economic reasons. Unfortunately, some of the reasons are based more on habits and tradition, and not on the prospects of improving the welfare of domestic foals.

Assessing welfare during the process

To assess good welfare, meeting emotional needs is equally important as meeting physical needs. The Five Domains Model is a scientifically based structure for evaluating animal welfare. It considers the fact that animals can experience a range of positive and negative emotions and emphasises the critical role of positive experiences in an animal’s well-being. 

  • The model comprises five domains: Nutrition, Environment, Health, Behaviour, and Mental. 

  • By artificially weaning a foal before it is ready, the foal’s welfare is compromised in all five domains:

  • First, the foal’s nutrition is compromised as it may not fully digest solid food.

  • The foal’s environment is changed as it can no longer stay with its mother and the herd.

  • Weaning can compromise the foal’s health, as it is exposed to new pathogens and stress.

  • The foal’s behaviour is affected as it may develop stereotypic behaviour such as crib-biting or weaving.

  • The foal’s mental state is suffering as it is exposed to fear and distress.

By Merete Haahr

Photos: Vielbauch - Thorsten Schneider & Kamila Tworkowska

Weaning is one of the most stressful events for the foal and its dam. Initiated by humans, artificial weaning has numerous behavioural and physiological consequences. However, behavioural researchers have shown that weaning occurs much later for horses living in the wild and causes no stress. With the horse’s welfare in mind, perhaps it is time to rethink this practice?


Are We Weaning too Early?  

Science-based research suggests reconsidering the practice of artificial weaning

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