WEANING STRESS IS AFFECTED BY NUTRITION AND WEANING METHODS

The objectives of these studies were to compare effects of diet and we aning method on stress responses in Thoroughbreds raised on pasture. E thograms showed that foals weaned abruptly were more stressed than foa ls weaned gradually, and foals supplemented with the fat-and-fiber die t were less stressed. Cortisol levels in foals supplemented with a cor n-based diet were higher before and after weaning compared to foals le d a fat-and-fiber supplement. These studies indicate that foals weaned gradually were less stressed and that diet may affect a foals' abilit y to handle the stress of weaning.