6 Facts About Foals That You Should Know

There’s hardly anything better than a precious foal born from your beloved mare. Foals have a way of stealing our hearts with their adorable personalities. They’re truly a gift! If you know a mare that’s almost due, it might be time to read up on these six foal facts. They’ll help get you prepared for what to expect.

1. Within two hours of birth, a foal should be up and nursing. Within about 24 hours, they can gallop. Sometimes fillies are faster to get up, but that’s not set in stone.
2. Most foals are born at night and the process is relatively quick. If you’re not careful you might miss it.
3. The first milk a foal will get is called colostrum. In the first few hours, foals will receive about a quart of it. This milk helps to boost their immune systems.
4. The legs of your foal won’t actually get much longer. They are about 80 to 90% the length of what they will be as an adult.
5. Expect some grass tasting after about a week. Foals will nibble on hay and grass at about 10 days old.
6. Most foals are weaned between four to six months of age. Handlers may abruptly remove the young horse or gradually separate mare and baby. Either way can be very stressful on both if not done with care.

Foals can be a lot of fun to watch develop. From the first few moments of life to a couple months old, they’ll keep you busy and entertained as they figure out life. It’s important to know what to expect so you can be properly prepared.