Effect of a progressive weaning on behavioural and physiologic indicators in foals (Equus caballus). Equus caballus

The weaning process has been identified as being associated with stress, weight loss and stereotypies. To limit these problems, some breeders wean the foals gradually. This article presents the effects of a progressive weaning on various physiological parameters (cortisol, C reactive protein, length of telomeres) and on the blood transcriptome, among the foals and the mares. Results indicate that a progressive weaning has beneficial short-term effects in foals, and that in the longer term the foals weaned abruptly have compensated this gap. In mothers, the beneficial effects of the progressive weaning are less important. Overall design: Gene expression induced by weaning conditions in horse blood was measured in foals 30 days (D30) and 95 days (D95) after the weaning. There were 16 samples for the brutal weaning (B) and 16 samples for the progressive weaning (P).