Instructions
Evaluate your foals needs and the quality of feed you need to use to meet the foal's needs. If you are uncertain about the calories and nutrients that your specific age and breed of foal needs, consult a veterinarian or equine nutritionist for advice. Some types of horses require more feed than others.
Purchase a high-quality foal feed that is specifically intended to be fed to weanlings. Determine the correct amount for your weanling by estimating its weight (ask your veterinarian's help, if necessary) and following feeding instructions on the packaging of the feed.
Allow your weanling plenty of access to hay and grasses. Forage is an important source of nutrients for weanlings. Allow forage to provide the bulk of your weanling's diet, giving it ample access to forage. Supplement with high-quality grain as needed.
Add supplements to make up for areas where your foal's diet may be lacking. A solid supplement program will make up for nutrients and minerals your pasture grasses or hay may be lacking. Consult your veterinarian about what supplements are best for horses in your area.
Adjust the feed schedule as needed. If your foal is clearly growing, it may need more high-quality feed. However, avoid overfeeding which can cause nonbeneficial growth spurts that can lead to soundness problems later in the horse's life.
How to Feed Weanling Foals
Weanlings are foals that are being weaned away from their mother's milk and beginning to eat hay and grain in its place. Feeding a weanling properly is important because inadequate nutrition or obesity at this early age can lead to long-term health and soundness problems later in the horse's life. In order to feed your weanling appropriately, take into consideration its genetic and metabolic make-up as well as your pasture, forage and feed quality.