How to Make Foals Grow

Proper care and nutrition is critical in helping a foal to grow. During the first six months of its life, a foal attains about 80 percent of its mature height and 50 percent of its mature weight, so it̵7;s especially important to provide the foal with a healthy diet and environment during this time. A foal will nurse from its mother for about 10 to 12 weeks, but during this time you can supplement its diet and take other measures to ensure its health.

Things You'll Need

  • Creep feeder
  • Hay or pasture
  • Concentrated feed or grain
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure that the foal receives a proper amount of colostrum within 24 hours of its birth. Colostrum is the milk a mare produces immediately after it gives birth; it has antibodies that help the foal resist infections that could prevent it from growing up strong. After 24 hours, the foal will no longer be able to absorb the antibodies, so it will not be protected against diseases. You can ask your veterinarian to take a blood test of your foal to ensure it has received enough antibodies; if not, the foal may need a blood transfusion to protect it.

    • 2

      Provide the foal with a nutritious diet. Foals as young as 10- to 14-days-old will show interest in feed. Provide high-quality hay and pasture and supplement this with grain or concentrates once the foal reaches four weeks of age. Ensure the feed contains a balanced amount of protein, minerals and vitamins ̵2; especially calcium and phosphorus ̵2; to encourage healthy growth. Give the foal about 1 pound of feed for every 100 pounds of body weight, and adjust this ration as the foal grows. Use a creep feeder (or a feeder that only the foal will be able to reach) to ensure that the mare won̵7;t eat the foal̵7;s food. Provide the foal with an unlimited supply of clean water.

    • 3

      Allow your foal to exercise. Giving foals the opportunity to exercise each day will help build strong bone density and strong muscles and tendons and will allow it to develop coordination. Your foal should never be confined to its stall for more than 10 hours at a time.

    • 4

      Ensure your foal̵7;s hooves are properly trimmed at all times; aim to check the foal̵7;s hooves once a day, or at the very least two to three times per week. Because foals are rapidly growing, their feet need to be in good condition so that their bones develop properly. If their feet are not well cared for, they will not be able to stand up or walk correctly.