Hay-Don't have to worry about beet pulp. This is a very cheap and readily
available feed here in Sugar Beet country
and very safe if done "as directed". I don't however feed the shredded type
with the molasses added. I also feed straight
alfalfa hay with no problems but, I would probably not switch to it if the
mare has been on grass products her entire pregnancy up until
late gestation, I would just switch to a non-endophyte grass hay. Call me
paranoid I just think it's too big a calcium/phos ratio shift in late
pregnancy...JMHO. I use alfalfa year round because of it's high relative food
value and I have a lot of old mares who need extra calories
to feed themselves as well as their foals. Good quality hay and alot of it
and only add grain as necessary is my thinking...pasture as always
is ideal adding supplementation as necessary...of course, if your field is
endophyte infested you have to do something else.

As to weaning. I know some people who wean at 2 and 3 months...I generally go
4 to 6 based on the condition of the mare (again I have
Old mares who can be dragged down in condition very rapidly). In terms of the
psychological interaction between the mare and the foal
waiting is better. Generally, mares tire of their sons faster than their
daughters because colts tend to be rough players. This may be less
of an issue if they have lots of friends to distribute their "energy".

Hope this helps.
Happy New Year's Eve.
Laura

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