A foal’s growth is rapid and occurs in distinct phases. The first months play a major role in shaping the structural and nutritional foundation of the horse later in life.

In practice, foal nutrition begins before birth – but after birth, each stage brings its own specific characteristics.

The First Hours – The Importance of Colostrum

During the first hours of life, the foal receives nutrients and energy from colostrum.

Colostrum is the foal’s first and highly important source of nutrition, and ensuring intake as soon as possible after birth is a key priority in early feeding.

The First Weeks – Milk as the Primary Source of Nutrition

During the first weeks, the foal’s diet consists mainly of the mare’s milk.

At the same time, the foal begins to:

• taste hay
• show interest in the mare’s feed
• develop normal feeding behavior

This stage is important for the development of the digestive system.

Early Supplementary Feeding – Small Amounts, Significant Impact

At just a few weeks of age, the foal starts to consume small amounts of solid feed.

At this stage, the goals are to:

• gradually adapt the digestive system to solid feed
• provide a balanced nutritional foundation for growth

High-quality forage remains the basis, while small amounts of additional feed can be introduced gradually as part of the overall diet.

Minerals and Trace Elements – Building Blocks of Growth

A growing foal requires minerals and trace elements from the diet as part of normal structural development and metabolic processes.

Key nutrients include:

• zinc and copper
• calcium and phosphorus

In foal nutrition, the focus is not only on individual amounts, but on the balance between these nutrients.

Balanced Ratios in Practice

Many minerals are always considered together, as they function in parallel within the body as part of an integrated nutritional system.

Calcium and phosphorus

• always evaluated together
• typical ratio in foals is approximately 1.2–1.8 : 1 (Ca : P)

Zinc and copper

• often evaluated together
• typical ratio is approximately 3–5 : 1 (Zn : Cu)

These ratios are not strict targets on their own, but part of the overall dietary balance.

Why Ratios Matter More Than Individual Amounts

In foal nutrition:

• high levels of a single mineral do not determine the overall balance
• minerals function together, not in isolation
• forage provides the baseline that is adjusted when necessary

For example:
If zinc is added in large amounts without adjusting copper, the overall balance may become uneven.

What Does Mineral Balance Mean in Practice?

The foal’s body continuously builds new structures from nutrients obtained through the diet.

The balance of minerals and trace elements is particularly related to:

Skeletal development
Calcium and phosphorus form the mineral structure of bone, and their ratio is an important part of normal skeletal development during growth.

Formation of tissues and connective structures
Zinc and copper are involved in enzyme systems and are associated with the formation of tissues such as connective tissue and collagen.

The overall growth process
The foal uses nutrients simultaneously to build multiple structures, making the balance between nutrients an important part of a functional whole.

Practical Perspective

In practice, this means:

• minerals are always evaluated as part of the whole diet
• forage + additional feeding form the foundation
• supplementation is used when needed, not as a precaution

Vitamin E – part of the nutritional balance

Vitamin E is an essential part of the foal’s overall nutritional intake and functions at the cellular level as part of normal metabolic processes.

In young horses, vitamin E intake depends largely on the quality and freshness of forage, as fresh grass is a natural source.

Vitamin E is often considered alongside selenium, as they are both involved in the body’s normal antioxidant system.

Protein – The Foundation of Growing Tissue

Rapid growth requires an adequate intake of high-quality protein.

Protein consists of amino acids, which are essential for normal tissue formation and growth. In foal nutrition, not only the quantity but also the quality and composition of protein are important.

During growth, protein contributes to:

• tissue formation
• growth and development

High-quality forage forms the base, which can be complemented when needed.

Fats and Omega Fatty Acids – Part of the Nutritional Whole

Fats are part of the foal’s energy intake and overall diet.

Plant-based fatty acids add variation and complement the diet as part of a balanced feeding plan.

Weaning – A Turning Point in Feeding

Weaning is one of the most significant phases in foal nutrition.

As the contribution of milk decreases, the importance of solid feed increases. For this reason, it is beneficial for the foal to become familiar with solid feed before weaning.

During weaning:

• changes are introduced gradually
• consistency in feeding becomes important
• forage quality and availability are key

When the foal is accustomed to solid feed before weaning, the transition is typically smoother.

A Good Start Carries Forward

Foal feeding is not about individual products or single nutrients, but about the overall balance.

A balanced diet, high-quality forage, and gradual transitions create the foundation for healthy growth and development.

Sources (background information)

National Research Council (NRC). Nutrient Requirements of Horses. 6th revised edition. National Academies Press, 2007.

MSD Veterinary Manual. Nutritional Requirements of Horses and Other Equids.

Lewis, L.D. Equine Clinical Nutrition: Feeding and Care. 1995.

Ott, E.A. & Asquith, R.L. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 1997.

Schryver, H.F. et al. Journal of Animal Science.