| Its so exciting isn't it having a new foal around. I just | | | | For the first three months the mare's milk is usually |
| love them, they are so gorgeous to look at and so | | | | enough to provide the foal with the best growth rate |
| vulnerable, that I find them completely adorable! OK, so | | | | but it then declines to a level that does not provide |
| that's enough of my sensitive side, lets get on with | | | | what the foal needs. The extra nutrients required by |
| some content. | | | | the foal to continue their optimum growth rate from |
| First off lets say that the foal has been born healthy - | | | | three months to weaning (which is normally four to six |
| it's the care of the foal and therefore its mother, in its | | | | months) can be provided by creep feeding. Creep |
| first few weeks that I'm going to cover here (I may | | | | feeding also helps prevent developmental orthopedic |
| later cover the period immediately after the birth and | | | | disease or DOD by providing a balanced diet. You |
| how you check that the baby is healthy, but I will have | | | | should begin creep feeding a foal around one month |
| to do some more research for that). | | | | old. Until three weeks of age the digestive system of |
| Just like any new baby, they will need some extra | | | | the foal doesn't have enough enzymes in sufficient |
| care if they are to start life fit and healthy. Now is the | | | | quantity to digest the sugars and starches that are |
| time to really show that you care, and it starts straight | | | | present in horse feed. So until this time the foal should |
| off, in fact about 10 hours after the birth. This is when | | | | only be given a milk-based diet. |
| you need to start teaching the foal to be handled or | | | | However there are some who would say that they |
| teaching 'restraint' as some people call it. Don't confuse | | | | should be exposed to hay or pasture straight off, so |
| this with 'imprinting'. This comes later and after the foal | | | | that they can get used to it. If they are turned out in a |
| and mare have done their natural imprinting. | | | | field during the day then the foal will undoubtedly graze |
| Restraint means the foal must stand still, be rubbed all | | | | a little but he'll still rely on mum's milk. I personally think |
| over, and have its feet pick up, held, touched and | | | | that they should have access to grass or hay right |
| cleaned. Do not let the foal decide when you are done | | | | from the start as it gets them used to it and reduces |
| with his feet. Not teaching a foal to have his feet | | | | the stress they get when being weaned. But a word |
| handled is the first sign of neglect, and all you are doing | | | | of warning. Don't overfeed a foal - don't give pellets or |
| is making life hard for both you and the foal. This | | | | concentrated feeds. Your foal should be on the thin |
| doesn't have to be a big deal, and with such a cute | | | | side, and not overfed and fat. A fat foal can get joint |
| creature it should be a pleasure so persevere with it | | | | problems in later life. |
| and all things pertaining to getting the foal socialized | | | | Creep feeding foals helps them to cope better with |
| and familiar with humans and their surroundings. You | | | | the weaning stress. These foals will also turn out to be |
| can even plan on having the feet rasped lightly about | | | | larger and heavier at the same age than foals that are |
| every five days--pay your horse shower to do it, or | | | | not creep-fed. The foals will have a lower risk of |
| learn to do it yourself, but get it done...not caring for a | | | | getting DOD and contracted tendons. This process of |
| foal's feet is on-going neglect. While you are working | | | | creep feeding foals also makes it easier on the mare. |
| on the foal's feet, the foal is going to try to get | | | | For the first three months of a foal's life you should |
| away...this is when you teach restraint. | | | | feed one pound of creep feed per month of age if the |
| The next thing I'd like to point out is that keeping a foal | | | | mare is producing a normal amount of milk for the foal. |
| in a box stall or small pen for hours, days and weeks is | | | | The amount of feed should then be increased to one |
| not the right thing to do. As soon as the foal can get | | | | to one and a half percent of body weight until weaning. |
| up and down easily--just a few hours after birth--he | | | | The amount of feed should be adjusted according to |
| and mom should be in the biggest area you can find | | | | the desired growth rate and quality of the available |
| where they can and will exercise and move around | | | | hay. The foal should be given enough hay to eat one |
| freely. Get them out where they run and play and use | | | | percent of their body weight each day. |
| those new muscles, tendons and bones, as that's what | | | | Take a look at the feed you are giving the foal and |
| will start the foal off developing well. | | | | check its contents. The proper nutrition for a growing |
| After they've been out all day you can bring them into | | | | foal is twenty-six percent protein and ten percent fat |
| the barn or stable for the night. This is where you | | | | with a high-quality milk protein and balanced levels of |
| continue restraint training. The mare and foal should be | | | | any required nutrients. |
| haltered and led to the barn. That doesn't mean | | | | At one month old you should start feeding pellets and |
| allowing the foal to run along all over the place, it | | | | gradually increase the amount until the foal is eating |
| means the foal learns to be lead properly and respect | | | | about two pounds each day. Until the foal is weaned |
| the handler. Within five days if the foal is haltered and | | | | you should decrease the amount of milk replacer. |
| taken out in the morning and haltered and led back at | | | | Continue feeding pellets at two pounds each day after |
| night, he'll be a perfect little soldier, marching along | | | | weaning and add a feed that is specifically formulated |
| beside you. | | | | for the growing horse. When you add in the new feed |
| Now keep it up, the trimming of the feet, the restraint | | | | you also need to start reducing the amount of pellets |
| training, the leading properly--that's a show of love and | | | | you feed so as not to overfeed the foal. The total |
| caring and protection. This foal isn't going to suffer the | | | | amount of feed you give the foal should be equal to |
| fear, battles and abuses that so many foals will endure | | | | one percent to 1.75 percent of their body weight after |
| when someone decides they "have to learn it all now" | | | | weaning is complete. Hay should be given to the foal |
| so you are doing them a great kindness. | | | | at one percent of their body weight. |
| Next we'll look at feeding the foal. | | | | |