Raising Healthy Foals: From Conception to Yearling

A strong, healthy foal starts long before birth. Every stage—conception, pregnancy, birth, and early growth—requires intentional care for both mare and foal. Here’s a breakdown of what to focus on during each stage to give your foal the best start in life.

Preparing to Breed

Don’t wait until February or March to think about breeding. Begin preparations in late summer or early fall the year before to increase your mare’s chances of conceiving. Some key things to keep in mind when preparing the mare:

• Protein & Amino Acids: A higher-protein diet helps prevent swayback and ensures proper muscle tone. Make sure her ration includes adequate amino acids, which are vital for tissue repair and reproductive function.
• Minerals: Offer free-choice access to a naturally mined, high-calcium mineral. This supports both fertility and skeletal health.
• Water: Fresh water should be available 24/7—hydration plays a major role in reproductive health.
• Hay Quality: Test your hay for Relative Feed Value (RFV) and nutrients. High-quality hay is a must during this prep phase.

Pregnancy Care

Once the mare is confirmed in foal, her nutritional and mineral needs shift. Turn her out on the pasture but keep feeding a high-protein, corn-free grain. Monitor her mineral intake on a weekly basis because her needs can really vary in this stage. Perform a fecal analysis in late fall to detect parasites and treat if needed.

In the final trimester, it is critical to monitor the mare’s body condition closely. Being underweight at foaling can create challenges for both milk production and future conception. Stay consistent with weekly mineral checks. (again!) Her demand typically increases as she nears birth.

Foaling & Early Weeks

The big day arrives—your foal is born! Once you’ve confirmed the foal is up and nursing, there are a few steps to take to ensure both foal and mare stay healthy. First off, dip or spray the foal’s umbilical area with iodine to prevent infection. Then vaccinate for tetanus as advised by your vet. Then turn the foal out on green pasture. Young grass is high in protein and perfect for early growth.

Keep a close watch on the mare. If she hasn’t passed the placenta within a few hours, administer 2cc of Oxytocin every hour until she does. Her feed and protein requirements will spike after birth. BUCKEYE Gro-N-Win is an excellent option to meet this need—feed 3 lbs daily throughout lactation. If pasture is sparse, supplement with a quality alfalfa-grass hay mix. And once again, maintain free-choice minerals, as her consumption will rise during milk production.

Weanling to Yearling

Growth continues rapidly after the first month, so don’t let nutrition slide. When the foal is one month old, install a foal feeder near the mare’s feeding area and begin offering free-choice BUCKEYE Foal Starter or a similar high-quality option. Avoid soy-based foal starters, which can lead to digestive upset or diarrhea.

At four months, transition the foal to a 16% protein growth feed to support muscle and bone development. Provide a naturally mined calcium supplement free choice. Continue feeding a dedicated growth ration until the foal is two years old to build a strong foundation for a lifetime of health and performance.

We’d Here to Help

Raising a healthy foal takes commitment. With careful attention to diet and minerals at every stage—from pre-breeding through the yearling phase—you’ll set your foal up for success from the ground up.

Have questions or need product recommendations? Stop by or contact Mt. Hope Elevator. We’re here to help every step of the way.