Better Weaning for Mare and Foal

Artificial weaning - the human induced physical separation of dam and foal at an unnaturally early stage - is one of the most stressful events in a horse’s life. 

In feral (or semi-feral) situations weaning involves the gradual cessation of nursing and transitioning onto a full solid food diet, but artificial weaning not only initiates the cessation of nursing but also breaks the dam-foal attachment and brings along additional nutritional, husbandry, and social changes. 

In this webinar, equine scientist Aline Bouquet explains that a greater understanding and consideration of artificial weaning practices can empower horse owners and carers to make better informed choices.

Webinar content includes:

  • What is the difference between artificial weaning and natural weaning?

  • What are the short and long-term consequences of artificial weaning on equine physical and psychological health and welfare?

  • How different management practices may alleviate or worsen artificial weaning stress

  • What happens to mares during artificial weaning?

  • Debunking myths: common misconceptions surrounding artificial weaning

  • Practical solutions: how do I wean my foal(s) to maximise short- and long-term welfare and what can I do to help their weaning stress recovery

After the presentation, Aline answered questions from the audience.

This presentation is for horse owners, students, equine professionals interested in horse breeding, equine science and horse welfare.

Once enrolled, you have 60 days to watch this recording.

Who is this course for?

  • HORSE OWNERS

  • EQUINE STUDENTS

  • EQUINE PROFESSIONALS

Continuing Professional Development (CPD/CEU)

  • Course Contents

    1 x webinar recording and 1 x CPD/CEU quiz

  • Course Duration

    1.5 Hours

  • Certificate of Completion

    You can download a personalised CPD/CEU certificate after watching the webinar and completing the quiz.

  • BHS

    This course has been approved for 2 CPD points for BHS Accredited Professional Coaches by the British Horse Society. Upon course completion APCs can log their points by completing the CPD Feedback form on the BHS website.

  • IAABC

    This course has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) by the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). You will need to request an IAABC CEU certificate directly from us, so please get in touch once you have completed the course and quiz.

  • IAAT

    Understand Horses is a trusted partner of the International Association of Animal Therapists, offering external CPD courses for its members.

  • KPA

    This course has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) by the Karen Pryor Association (KPA). Once you have completed the course you can contact us for an event code, then email both code and CEU certificate to the KPA.

Better Weaning for Mare and Foal

Buy now

Your Instructors

ALINE BOUQUET

Aline Bouquet PhD is an equine welfare scientist at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London investigating the Quality-of-Life of older horses particularly when diagnosed with PPID (Cushing’s disease). Previously to studying older horses and during her PhD, Aline investigated the role of maternal behaviour and early life experiences in the development of abnormal oral repetitive behaviour and social behaviour in young horses. Aline has always been a horse fanatic, sat on horses before she could walk, and made it her life’s mission to improve equine welfare at the forefront of research, which led to her to move around the world to gain valuable practical and research experience.

COURSE PRICE

Archived webinar recording