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Although many foals are not weaned until they are over six months old, mare’s milk will not meet the foal’s total nutrient requirements after three months of age, so the foal must eat pasture forage or be fed some concentrates. As the foal starts eating from the mare’s feed bucket, a fortified feed is important to ensure an adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. If the foal is being creep fed, a fortified feed designed specifically for young growing horses should also be used.

Creep feeding, although not an essential part of foal rearing, will make weaning easier if begun either after three months of age or at least one month before weaning so that the foal has time to get used to eating hard feed.

The creep feed area should be fenced off with bars that allow the foals, but not the mares, to enter the enclosure. This requires a barrier about 13.1 hands high.

Feed designed specifically for foals should be offered. Each foal’s intake should be carefully monitored, as excessive intake can lead to digestive disturbances. Foals that become too heavy or consume too much energy are at risk of developing leg deformities or other signs of developmental orthopedic disease.

Creep-fed foals should be given no more than 1.5 to 2 kg (3 to 4 pounds) of grain or concentrates per day starting at three months of age. As with any feeding change, creep feed should be introduced gradually.

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