Anuario Raza Polo Argentino Anuario2018 | Page 260

social isolation of foals during weaning quickly
generates “abhorrent behavior” (which proves that
the environment selects the genomic expression,
by which we understand that we may “construct”
a phenotype that is vulnerable to stress simply by
inappropriate management).
Dam Removal
This practice is very frequent and it implies removing
mothers progressively. In other words, it is a kind
of group weaning in which stress decreases when
compared with other techniques. In this case one
dam is removed per day from the group. Counter
to this, removing all mothers together shows an
increase in expressions of stress and in the Wulf
et al. [11] study, the parameters recorded were
vocalizations; an increase in defecations and
greater loss of weight.
Weaning and Management
The moment of weaning may be used to carry out
positive handling. Possibly due to the disruption
caused by the process itself, in a study carried
out in 2004 we may observe the results that
showed that young horses were easier to manage
immediately after weaning than those that began 3
weeks after [6]. This handling is also more effective
and lasting, because its effects persist beyond the
term of 18 months.
Likewise, including adults in the groups of foals
reduces conflict (antagonistic behavior), as well
as making it possible to establish preferential
associations among members of the group [1].
Weaning stress is also less pronounced when colts
are weaned in the presence of familiar adult mares,
as compared to those weaned without adults. For
example, by leaving some mares in the field with
them [2].
A Local Experience: Group
Removal Respecting Affinities
Dam
Observing foal behavior and observing their needs
could be a very useful tool when weaning. At Unión
del Salado Farm, Dr. Ezequiel Sojo (Unión del
Salado) used a weaning method by dam removal
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in part of a group of foals taking into account their
affinity, and compared them to a batch of foals
where he practiced traditional weaning. The group
in which rational management was applied did not
express behavioral alterations or injury, and the
expression of stress was less marked and limited
after the first three days.
The following is breeder Dr. Ezequiel Sojo’s
testimony of his experience:
“The idea is very good. I had never paid
attention to affinity, and in the last ten years
weaning was done according to development.
We take them from their mothers as from 6-7
months after birth.
Last year—the first in which we implemented
this system—we did very well. For logistic
reasons we performed 50% of weaning in the
traditional mode and the other 50% according
to affinity.
In the first case we’ve observed cuts; wounds,
and in the other we had no problem, quite the
contrary.
In our system it is easily applicable: the foals
that normally join up through affinity are those
that were born relatively close, and so they are
also more even regarding their development.”
Conclusions
There is no doubt that weaning (separation from
the dam) in groups in the field and in the presence
of adults is the most favorable system. And if we
add a feed transition the circumstances improve
even more. Avoiding changes in the groups
and prioritizing respect for the relations among
individuals diminishes any type of stress. Our main
suggestion in our environment is to favor positive
contacts with people after weaning, which in
general is not necessarily frequent in our extensive
systems. Observing the behavior of individuals;
recording relevant data; respecting affinities,