When it comes to feeding young horses, the golden rule is "optimal, not maximal." Overfeeding, especially with high sugar and starch (NSC) diets can increase the risk of metabolic disorders and other long-term issues. Providing a balanced, steady-growth diet is key to raising strong, healthy horses.
Feeding the Foal: From Birth to Two Months
Foals begin sampling solid food between 7 and 10 days of age, but mare’s milk remains the main source of nutrition until about two months. After this, milk production declines and can no longer meet the foal’s growing energy and nutrient demands.
To support continued healthy development, young foals should be introduced to:
- Fresh pasture (if available)
- Creep feeds designed specifically for foals
What Is Creep Feeding?
Creep feeding is the practice of offering a nutrient-dense, palatable feed to foals starting at 1–3 months of age, while still nursing. It fills the nutritional gap between what the mare’s milk provides and what the foal needs for growth.
Benefits of Creep Feeding:
- Supports steady weight gain and bone development
- Prepares the foal for weaning and reduces weaning stress
- Allows targeted nutrition separate from the mare
- Builds familiarity with concentrate feeds early
A good creep feed should be high in quality protein, energy, and balanced minerals , especially calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and selenium.
Understanding Developmental Orthopaedic Disease (DOD)
DOD is a broad term for skeletal and joint abnormalities in growing horses.
Conditions include:
- Epiphysitis
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
- Contracted or flexural tendons
- Angular limb deformities
Causes of DOD:
- Excess dietary energy, especially from high NSC feeds
- Insulin resitance caused by gestational diabetes in the mare
- Deficiencies or imbalances in key minerals (Ca, P, Cu, Zn)
- Poor-quality protein or inadequate amino acids
- Irregular growth patterns, often triggered by stress or malnutrition followed by compensatory growth
To reduce the risk of DOD, feed low-NSC, balanced diets that promote slow, consistent growth rather than rapid weight gain.
Managing Growth Spikes and Weaning Stress
Rapid growth, especially after a period of poor appetite or illness can lead to compensatory growth, which increases the risk of DOD. Managing growth rate is critical.
Tips for a Smooth Weaning Transition:
Use a creep feed similar to the post-weaning ration
Provide a low-stress weaning environment
Monitor weight and appetite closely
If growth slows due to stress or illness, gradually restore body condition over several months, not weeks
Feeding the Weanling: 3–6 Months Onward
By 3–4 months of age, foals can digest fibre-based feeds, making good pasture a major source of energy and protein.
Ideally, pasture should be:
- Green and mixed-species
- Not overgrazed or stressed
- Supplemented with lucerne or clover hay if needed
Ideal Weanling Feed Requirements:
- 14–16% protein
- Balanced calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, and vitamin E
- NSC content no higher than 15%
If pasture is poor, offer a concentrated ration with moderate lucerne chaff or hay, and an appropriate vitamin and mineral supplement.
Avoid overfeeding or high-NSC grain-based feeds. Offer high energy low NSC oil based feeds such as CoolStance copra meal together with a balanced trace mineral vitamin (VitaStance)
Monitoring Growth and Adjusting the Diet
Regularly assess your young horse’s:
- Body condition
- Weight gain
- Bone and joint development
- Signs of uneven or rapid growth
If the foal is gaining weight too quickly or showing early signs of DOD (joint swelling, limb deformities, stiffness), adjust the diet immediately to promote a more gradual growth curve.
Remember: Slow and steady wins the race. The aim is balanced development, not rapid bulk.
Recent research from the University of Queensland has highlighted the potential effects of feeding high-NSC diets to pregnant mares.
Key Findings:
- Pregnant mares fed high-starch diets may develop gestational diabetes
- Insulin-resistant mares can pass on metabolic issues to the foal
- Affected foals may be born with insulin resistance, tendon weakness, and limb deformities
These findings suggest that managing a mare’s diet during pregnancy is just as important as feeding the foal after birth.
