Properly preparing the foals to be weaned can make the process much easier for everyone, and part of that preparation includes setting up a successful feeding transition for the foal.

Make certain the foal is consuming at least one pound of feed per month of age of a concentrate designed for foals and weanlings (so, if a foal is four months of age, it should be consuming at least four pounds of feed per day). Appropriate feeds for foals and weanlings have 14-16% protein with controlled starch and sugar, along with amino acid, mineral, and vitamin fortification.

By the time the foal exceeds two months of age, the milk produced by the dam is not sufficient to maintain adequate growth. So the foal should be creep fed, if possible, as not all mares allow the foal to eat grain with them. And remember: The day you wean the foal is not the day to change feeds. Creep feeding the foal on the same feed it will continue to eat after weaning is a great way to keep one point in their life consistent through the process.

The foal should also have access to high quality forage, loose salt, and fresh, clean water