The First Year Of A Foal's Development

A foal's first year runs from a critical first day to rapid growth and weaning. The first hours decide whether it receives enough antibodies. The following months are about steady, controlled growth rather than speed.

The first day

A healthy foal should stand within about an hour. Veterinary guidance from Michigan State University says it should nurse within three hours. Oklahoma State University gives two hours. The foal should take colostrum, the first milk, within the first 8 to 12 hours. Meconium, the first stool, should pass within about 12 hours. A vet can check antibody levels in the blood at roughly 12 to 24 hours. Oklahoma State gives a target above 800 mg/dl. A foal that does not stand, nurse or wake normally needs a vet quickly.

Milk, then solid feed

Industry guidance says a newborn takes 15% to 25% of its body weight in milk daily and nurses very often. Creep feed, a feed made for suckling foals, can be introduced within the first month and in earnest by four to six weeks. Merck Animal Health describes feeds with 14% to 16% crude protein and balanced minerals.

Growth and weaning

By six months, a foal reaches about 80% of mature height and 50% of mature weight, according to the same source. Weaning usually falls between four and six months. Vaccination and worming plans vary. Oklahoma State suggests starting at six to nine months if the mare was vaccinated before foaling, and at three to four months if not. Your vet should set the schedule.

Risks of growing too fast

Excess weight gain and growth spurts raise the risk of developmental bone problems, including physitis and osteochondrosis. Body condition, feed balance and regular hoof care are the controls. The sources are mainly North American, so climate and local disease risks in Nigeria will need local veterinary advice.

What this means for the programme

• The programme crosses Sahel mares with thoroughbred sires, using frozen semen.
• Each pony is microchipped and has DNA parentage on file, and screening results are kept on file.
• A written start record is kept, and handed over with the passport, microchip and DNA records.
• The programme is in formation. No ponies are for sale and no results are claimed yet.

Frequently asked questions

When should a foal first stand? Within about an hour. Later than that, call a vet.

When are foals weaned? Most are weaned at four to six months, depending on feed intake and the mare.

Why is colostrum so important? A foal is born with little protection and gets its antibodies from colostrum in the first hours.