A couple moves from the big city to the countryside and starts a small farm...wait, you've heard this premise before? What? Trite? Hackneyed? But, I have goats. Really cute pictures of tiny baby goats. And cheesemaking recipes. We slaughter our own pigs and cure our own bacon! Well, that's in the master plan, anyway. Just read it, you'll see.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Poppy, Nearly a Yearling
..... and still nursing every chance she gets. She looks so silly, she's twice the size of her mother. The farrier says I have to separate her, like, three months ago. He says it isn't good for her anymore.
I'm generally a fan of natural weaning, but that only works if you can count on the mama to kick the baby off when it's time! I generally decide it's time to intervene if mama is losing condition and the baby is big enough to do without.
That said, I deal with sheep and Dexter cows - no horses. It's probably different!
I know (and you know) that I know nothing about horses, but it seems totally weird that nature would drop the ball on that. Why would it be that horses survived so successfully in the wild for so long if they needed people to intervene with something as basic as nursing? I am all about natural weaning for people, and I admit my ignorance about horses, but according to common sense I'd think that Rosie will do a fine job figuring out the timing.
IMHO, yes, they need seperated. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThey do need to seperated. For the health of the mom and the foal. Just think If you nursed a baby till it was as big as you. ; )
ReplyDeleteI'm generally a fan of natural weaning, but that only works if you can count on the mama to kick the baby off when it's time! I generally decide it's time to intervene if mama is losing condition and the baby is big enough to do without.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I deal with sheep and Dexter cows - no horses. It's probably different!
Oh ms. That means I need to fix fences again
ReplyDeleteNo idea about horses, but just wanted to say how beautiful Poppy is.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mia! Next question, horse folk - how long do they have to stay separated? Only until she forgets about nursing?
ReplyDeleteI always thought the momma decided when it's time to boot the baby.
ReplyDeleteSo much for that theory!
That picture just don't look right. Looks like it should be the other way around. lol
ReplyDeleteI know how that mama feels!!
ReplyDeleteI know nothing of horses, but it just doesn't look right. I think it's time.
ReplyDeleteI know (and you know) that I know nothing about horses, but it seems totally weird that nature would drop the ball on that. Why would it be that horses survived so successfully in the wild for so long if they needed people to intervene with something as basic as nursing? I am all about natural weaning for people, and I admit my ignorance about horses, but according to common sense I'd think that Rosie will do a fine job figuring out the timing.
ReplyDelete