{{short description|Young animal just weaned from its mother}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} upright|thumb|A weanling horse thumb|upright|Weaner ring on a calf A '''weanling''' or '''weaner''' is an animal that has been weaned, eats solid food independently, and no longer relies on its mother's milk for nutrients. ''Weanling'' usually refers to a horse, though can be used with any livestock.{{r|collins2}} ''Weaner'' is more commonly used for a weaned lamb, calf or pig.{{r|collins}} A ''super weaner'' is an exceptionally large elephant seal which has been nursing from more than one lactating female and weighs considerably more than its peers at weaning age.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elephant Seals|url=https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1115 |website=California State Parks}}</ref>
A weanling horse is a foal that has been weaned, usually between four and six months old. Once it is a year old, the horse is referred to as a yearling. Weanlings are separated from their dam and often grouped with other weanlings to keep each other company. Weaning is a very stressful time for a foal.{{r|equinews}}{{r|price|p=231}}
A '''weaner''' also refers to an anti-suckling device, such as a metal or plastic flap or spiked ring placed over an animal's mouth to inhibit it from nursing from its mother, or stop persistent sucking behaviors on inappropriate objects, such as another calf's ears, or a dry cow's teats.{{r|collins|rings}}
== See also ==
* {{Section link|Nose ring (animal)|Calf-weaning nose ring}} * Cow-calf separation
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="collins">{{Cite web |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/weaner |title=weaner |website=Collins English Dictionary}}</ref>
<ref name="collins2">{{Cite web |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/wean |title=wean |website=Collins English Dictionary}}</ref>
<ref name="equinews">{{Cite web |title=Feeding Weanling Horses |url=https://ker.com/equinews/feeding-weanling-horses/ |date=February 27, 2012 |first=Peter |last=Huntington |website=Equinews}}</ref>
<ref name="price">{{Cite book |last1=Price |first1=Steven D. |last2=Shiers |first2=Jessie |title=The Lyons Press Horseman's Dictionary |publisher=Lyons Press |location=Guilford, CT |year=2007 |edition=Revised |isbn=978-1-59921-036-0 |ol=8901304M}}</ref>
<ref name="rings">{{Cite web |url=https://spiritedrose.wordpress.com/jersey-cattle/calf-management/weaning-rings/ |title=Weaning rings |year=2015 |website=spiritedrose}}</ref>
}}
== Further reading == * {{Cite book |author=Lyons, John and Jennifer J. Denison |title=Bringing Up Baby |publisher=Primedia Enthusiast Publications |year=2002 |isbn=1-929164-12-2 |ol=8796848M}} Describes methods of training a young horse from birth until it is old enough to ride.
Category:Types of horse