How to Make a Baby Horse Eat Grain

Mares play a central role in the rearing and caring of foals. However, they may not effectively teach their young to eat grain mixture. Foals can begin grazing on limited amounts of grain when they're around one week old. By four months old, a foal should be weaning itself off its mother's milk and beginning to incorporate a great deal of grain into its diet.

Things You'll Need

  • Creep feed or other grain mix
  • Feeder
  • Pelleted feed (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide a feeder filled with creep feed or other high-quality grain mix designed for young, growing horses. Ohio State University recommends the grain mix be at least 16% protein. Place the feeder in the enclosure, but where the mares cannot reach it.

    • 2

      Show the foal the feeder. If the foal does not initiate feeding, place a small amount of grain in its mouth.

    • 3

      Use a pelleted feed if the foal separates out and eats only the grain in the mix, leaving behind the vitamins and proteins. Pelleted feed also keeps well and deters spoilage.

    • 4

      Monitor foals while they eat if you have more than one. Some foals are timid and may not receive enough feed if they're competing with more assertive horses.