Q. My foal is almost a month old. He’s nursing well, but I also notice him trying to eat his dam’s feed and hay at times. When should I start my foal on his own feed, and how do I safely do this?

A. Early in a foal’s life, the mare’s milk provides the nutrition the foal needs. However, it is normal for foals to begin exploring solid feeds and forages even as young as 1 week old. Proper nutrition becomes critical as foals transition from a milk to forage and concentrates and prepare for weaning.

As your foal matures, milk alone will no longer meet his nutritional requirements. Including appropriate vitamin and mineral fortification in the ration helps reduce the foal’s risk of developing orthopedic diseases.

Introducing Creep Feed to Your Foal

Depending on the individual foal’s growth, creep feeding typically begins when the foal reaches 2 to 3 months. Creep feeders provide feed exclusively to the foal, not the mare, using adjustable bars on the feeder. This is the best way to be sure the mare is not eating the foal’s ration. Keep in mind that no single guideline works for every foal because forage quality, mare milk production, and the foal’s growth rate all influence nutritional needs.

Historically, feeding 1 pound of creep feed per month of age has been common practice. However, depending on individual circumstances, this approach might provide more supplemental calories than some young horses require. If the foal does not need additional calories, a ration balancer can serve as a creep feed alternative. In the first months of life, the foal should gain 1-3 pounds daily. If he is not, he likely needs additional calories. If he is gaining more weight than this, you might need to reduce the calories available to him.

When introducing creep feed, increase the amount gradually and divide it among multiple feedings each day, ideally at least two. Avoid overfeeding because overweight foals face a greater risk of developmental orthopedic disease.

Take-Home Message

It is normal for a foal to show interest in the mare’s feed and forage early in life, and creep feeding typically begins at 2 to 3 months of age. Foals that need additional calories can start earlier. Work with your veterinarian and a qualified equine nutritionist to match the amount and type of creep feed to your foal’s changing nutritional needs and available forage.