10 essential facts you need to know about Foals

Many people find them to be cute, playful, and energetic, and they enjoy watching them frolic in fields but how much do you know about these creatures that have boundless energy.

Gestation Period

The gestation period for a mare is approximately 11 months for a foal to fully develop. Some foals can be a few weeks late or early. Occasionally, a foal can be up to four weeks late. Most breeders try to time foaling for early spring, so the foal can grow and exercise throughout the summer months.

Nocturnal birth

Foals are most often born at night, and birth often happens very quickly. In the wild, this nocturnal and rapid birth helps to protect a mare and foal from predators when they are at their most vulnerable.

Weight of a new-born foal

A new-born foal will weigh between 80-120 pounds.

Foals Can Stand Within Two Hours of Birth

Foals can stand and walk, and trot shortly after birth. Ideally, a foal should be up and nursing within two hours of birth. They can gallop within 24 hours.

Mare's Milk

The first milk a foal gets from its mother is called colostrum. A foal needs about two litres of colostrum in the first 24 hours of life. Foals will nurse from their mother for up to 6 months and will start to eat solid food around 2-3 months of age.

Limited immunity

This mare’s milk boosts the foal's immune system, as it is born with little protection and as it is born without infection-fighting antibodies, an infection can set in very rapidly.

Bowed legs

Many foals are born with oddly bowed legs. They may also walk with their fetlocks almost touching the ground as often their ligaments and tendons are immature. Within a few days, as the foals become stronger, the legs should show signs of straightening up.

Silent Communication

Mares and foals bond very quickly. Much of their communication is almost imperceptible to the human eye. They have a strong instinct to follow their mother, and they will stay close to her side for protection.

Weaning age

Foals can be weaned from four to nine months old. By four months, the foal no longer gets a substantial amount of nutrition from its mother’s milk.

Rapid growth

Foals grow rapidly during their first year of life, and they can reach almost 90% of their full adult size by the time they are one year old.

At EQUUS, we have whatever you need for your foal, whether you are looking for a new rug, headcollar or supplement, take a look at The Foal Collection.