Quote Originally Posted by Triple V View Post
It sounds more than a bit Tree Hugger I know but like to watch how they behave in relation to their dams, I reckon nature's a good indicator.
Are they (the foals) happy to wander off on their own for some distance and to stay away for lengthy periods or otherwise?
Of the two we weaned this time around, one was already pretty self reliant even from very early on and he only came back to his mother for a drink when it suited him. More often that not she used to go looking for him, not the other way around. The other was a bit more of a mumma's boy, his dam never let him get too far away and not all that surprisingly he sulked and went off his feed for a week or two after he was weaned.

Our kids tend to hang with the one mare that will have them & only go back to their own mums for drinks & feed time (twice a week , we have plenty of grass) . Interesting to see two of the mares way way away from their kids & they don't care . The other mare looks after the 3 all day . We won't wean till after winter , all filly's , the last one born Dec & her mums nif so don't feel the need too . Only put 1 back in foal & will keep our eye on her condition but she looks amazing presently.