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Feeding Foals and Weanlings: Why Slow and Steady Growth Matters

Feeding Foals and Weanlings: Why Slow and Steady Growth Matters

Raising young horses is as much about balance as it is about nourishment. Overfeeding foals and weanlings particularly with high sugar and starch (non-structural carbohydrate, or NSC) diets can set the stage for metabolic issues and long-term soundness problems. Instead, a steady, balanced approach to growth is essential for developing strong, healthy horses.

Managing Growth and Weaning Stress 

One of the biggest risks during the early stages of a horse’s life is a condition known as developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD) which affects bones, joints, growth plates, and cartilage in young horses. 

DOD conditions often involve improper ossification (the conversion of cartilage to bone), leading to limb deformities, joint pain, and even permanent lameness. 

Proper nutrition is critical in preventing and managing DOD and supporting healthy joint development. 

What Young Horses Need Weanlings thrive on diets containing: 

  • 14–16% protein 
  • A balanced mix of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, and vitamin E 
  • NSC levels no higher than 15% 
  • Avoid overfeeding or high-NSC grain-based feeds. Instead, offering ample forage along with a low NSC feed such as CoolStance Copra meal together with a balanced trace mineral vitamin (GroStance)
Monitoring Growth 

Regular checks help owners catch problems early. Key indicators include: 

  • Body condition and weight gain
  • Bone and joint development 
  • Signs of uneven or accelerated growth
  • If a foal begins gaining weight too quickly or shows early signs of DOD, the diet should be adjusted immediately to encourage more gradual development.

New Research on Mares and Foals 

Recent findings from the University of Queensland highlight the importance of maternal nutrition. Pregnant mares fed high-starch diets may develop gestational diabetes, passing insulin resistance and skeletal weaknesses on to their foals. This highlights the need to manage the mare’s diet just as carefully as the foals.

The Safer Way to Feed Mares and Foals 

At Stance Equitec, we believe in feeding from the inside out, using natural, functional nutrition to support reproduction, growth, and lifelong health. 

CoolStance® Copra Meal - a low-NSC energy source ideal for pregnant mares. 

  • Grain free and gentle on metabolism 
  • Provides cool energy from MCTs 
  • Supports foetal development without insulin spikes

GroStance® - a complete vitamin, mineral and joint support supplement for breeding and young horses. 

  • Trace minerals, amino acids, MSM, biotin and glucosamine 
  • No starch or sugars
  • Supports healthy bone, joint, hoof and skin development
Together, CoolStance® and GroStance® offer a natural feeding system for breeders who want better outcomes for both mare and foal. 

Want to know what to feed, what to avoid, and why NSC matters more than you think?  

Visit the Stance Equitec website for more helpful articles on the hidden risks in traditional breeding diets and how to feed smarter this season.

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