Why Foal Nutrition Matters More Than You Think
Raising a foal is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of horse ownership—but it also comes with a huge responsibility. What you feed your foal in those early days, weeks, and months plays a big role in how they grow, develop, and perform later in life. And the truth is, there’s a lot more to it than just chucking a bit of feed into a bucket.
So let’s break it down.
It All Starts with the Mare.
Foal nutrition doesn’t actually start when the foal hits the ground—it starts months earlier, with the mare. A well-fed, well-balanced broodmare is the first building block in giving your foal a strong start. During the last trimester of pregnancy, the foal does around 60% of its growing, so this is when the mare's diet needs to step up.
Key things to consider:
Protein quality and quantity (to support muscle and tissue development)
Balanced minerals, especially calcium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc
Good body condition, but not overfeeding—too much energy can lead to foaling complications
Colostrum – Liquid Gold
Within the first few hours of life, foals need to drink quality colostrum. This is the mare’s first milk, and it's packed with antibodies (IgG) to protect the foal from infections until their own immune system kicks in.
If the foal doesn’t receive enough colostrum (or the mare’s colostrum quality is poor), there’s a risk of Failure of Passive Transfer—something you definitely want to avoid. This is where testing colostrum quality and monitoring foals closely in the first 12–24 hours really matters.
From Milk to Feed – That Tricky Transition
Foals start nibbling at hard feed and grass from just a few weeks of age, even though mare’s milk is their main food source until weaning. What you offer them during this “creep feeding” stage can have a big impact on how well their digestive system and skeleton develop.
You want to make sure they’re getting:
✅ A foal-specific ration with the right mineral balance
✅ Highly digestible protein sources
✅ Controlled energy levels (we’re not aiming for baby racehorses at 6 weeks old)
Avoid adult horse feeds or generic “grain mixes”—these often lack the right calcium:phosphorus ratio and can contribute to developmental issues like DOD (Developmental Orthopaedic Disease).
Common Mistakes I See
🔸 Overfeeding energy = fast growth + joint stress
🔸 Not balancing minerals = weak bone and cartilage
🔸 Forgetting about trace minerals like copper and zinc (they're small but mighty!)
🔸 Feeding mum well, but forgetting to adjust once the foal starts eating more solid feed
So, What’s the Goal?
We want slow, steady growth. Not rapid weight gain. Not a bloated belly with no topline. Just strong bones, healthy joints, and good gut function. Every foal is different, and getting a tailored nutrition plan based on your setup, forage, and breed is one of the best investments you can make.
If you’ve got a foal on the ground—or one on the way—and you're not sure if you're feeding them right, I’m here to help. I work with horse owners to design balanced, practical nutrition plans for mares, foals, and growing horses.
