Veterinary & Nutrition

The first steps of the future champion

Foal development, nutrition and wellbeing

Prof.ssa Emanuela Valle

Dip. Scienze Veterinarie – Università di Torino

EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary
and Comparative Nutrition

Raising a foal requires skill, patience and dedication. If it is true that nature plays the primary role, but it is equally true that management is essential to allow the baby to fully express his genetic potential.
It is not enough to choose an excellent pedigree: veterinary care, a balanced diet and an environment suitable for psychophysical development are also important.
Everything must be thought of and nothing left to chance.
In fact, a foal grows following precise and delicate stages. In the first months of life, each stage plays a critical role in determining future health and well-being; for example, after the first month the foal should double his birth weight by nursing several times a day and starting to taste grass and hay, by imitation.
At two months, playtime takes over sleep time, and independence from the mother increases. These moments mark the beginning of a path of physical and mental development that requires constant attention.

The stages of growth and the role of the mare

During the first months, the priority is to ensure the diet meets the nutritional needs and an environment that promotes the social and psychological well-being of the foal.
In the first months of life, nutritional needs are satisfied only by milk; it is therefore necessary that the quality of breast milk is optimal. Therefore, the health and nutrition of the mare during pregnancy and lactation are fundamental.
In the first three months of lactation, the mare produces milk in significant quantities.
To ensure quality milk production, it is important that the mare’s diet is balanced and rich in essential nutrients.

It is essential that foals live in herds: this is the only way they can learn correct social behaviours and develop physical and mental strength.
Exploration, play and interaction with other foals promote correct motor and behavioural development. It is no coincidence that in many European countries the law requires foals to be raised in herds with their mothers.
This practice, which respects the ethological needs of the species, encourages the development of well balanced and mentally strong horses.
Furthermore, the mother’s behaviour highly influences the foal’s development. The foals tend to imitate their mother, learning from her not only social behaviours, but also food preferences and social interactions.

Correct nutrition

Nutrition is the cornerstone of a foal’s development. During lactation, it is crucial that the mare receives a diet rich in energy, protein and calcium.
In the first few months, the foal begins to supplement his milk intake with solid foods, such as grass and hay.
In general, starting from the end of the third month it is possible to start integrating the diet of the foal that is still breastfeeding, which helps to promote his growth by integrating the deficiencies of forage.

These feeds are rich in proteins, essential minerals such as calcium, copper and zinc, and vitamins that promote bone and muscle development. However, it is important not to encourage too fast growth.
A balanced diet helps prevent growth problems, such as osteochondrosis, which can compromise the horse’s sporting career.

The importance of the playing

Through play and interaction with peers, foals learn body language, develop social skills and strengthen bones and muscles. Allowing foals live in a herd is not only fun for them, but a necessity for their mental and physical balance.