Here's a breakdown:
* First few days: The foal relies entirely on colostrum, the first milk produced by the mare, which is packed with antibodies to protect the foal from infections.
* Weeks 1-4: The foal drinks mare's milk frequently, transitioning to a more mature milk as the mare's milk changes.
* Months 2-4: The foal starts nibbling on grass and hay, gradually introducing solid food into its diet.
* Months 4-6: The foal is weaned, meaning it no longer relies on mare's milk as its primary source of nutrition. It's now eating a diet of grass, hay, and grain.
While the foal is nursing, it might also lick and nibble at the mare's feed to get a taste of the food she eats. This helps them prepare for transitioning to solid food.
Important Note: It's crucial to ensure the foal has access to clean water at all times, even while it's primarily drinking mare's milk.