Nutritional management and practical feeding of the orphan foal

Abstract

Summary Foals are dependent on a milk‐based diet for the first 3–4 months of life. If they are orphaned during this period they require appropriate nutritional and behavioural management to allow them to develop into sound, well‐grown horses and ponies with well established normal behavioural patterns. In order to meet these needs it is necessary to understand the metabolic requirements of the foal and the composition of mares' milk. Usually managing these foals requires short‐term, emergency feeding of the foal while a long‐term option is sought. Long‐term options include use of a foster mare, induction of lactation in a parous, barren mare or hand rearing with suitable equine company. It is important to monitor growth and development of these foals to ensure that over the long term their nutritional needs are being met to allow normal growth and development.