Raising a horse from foal to full-grown is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. It’s a journey filled with challenges, learning, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a seasoned horse owner or a first-time foal raiser, this guide will walk you through the experiences of raising a horse, from those first wobbly steps to the bittersweet but proud moment they reach maturity. Remember, every horse’s story is unique! Here's what we experienced with our dear filly June who is only a few months old at the time of writing this, and our other young horses like Hermione and Parker.

The First Days: Welcoming a Foal

The arrival of a foal is a moment of pure magic. Those first few days are critical for bonding and ensuring the foal’s health and safety. While a horse's labour process usually does not require human intervention, it is crucial that you monitor your mare closely and consult a veterinarian for any signs or symptoms that seem out of the ordinary. 

What to Expect:

• Foals are usually up and walking within an hour of birth.  

• They rely entirely on their mother’s milk for the first few months.  

• Early handling is essential to build trust and familiarity with humans.  

• Frequent farrier trims are helpful in ensuring the hoof grows correctly to support the rapid development of the foal's legs and the rest of their body. 

June's Birth

June's birth was a real rollercoaster, but it mostly had to do with mother mare Sushi. Sushi's pregnancy was a surprise, and she had arrived at our farm while pregnant. She showed no signs of foal until the last few weeks, when we detected changes in her teats. A waxy layer began to form on them and we finally learned the reason she was reluctant to put on weight, despite her intensive feed routine. On June 22nd, 2024, Sushi laid down in her foaling stall, and thanks to a pool strip test, we knew it was time. Our community, including veterinarians, came together to support Sushi as best as we could, and we're ever-grateful to the individuals who took time out of their day to offer their assistance and well wishes. Sushi thankfully recovered fully from her laborious deliver process. Despite the strain on her body, she still produced the most nutritionally fulfilling colustrum our vet had seen that season! That's an excellent mom right there. June was born perfectly healthy. Her stool solidified over the next few days, and she was breaking into fits of zoomies by then. Tip: get as MANY videos and photos as you can at this stage, it flies by.

TIP: Mother mares may develop some behavioural changes when they have a newborn foal by their side. To protect foal and yourself, make sure that the mare's hooves are freshly trimmed. They may develop an aversion towards farrier visits/picking up their hooves between foaling and weaning. 

The Weaning Stage: Building Independence

Around 4-6 months, foals begin the weaning process; transitioning from their mother’s milk to solid food. This can be a challenging time for both the foal and the mare. This is where you would hear the term "creep feeding", where the foal will show interest in mother mare's feed and begin to nibble on it too, even if they do not fully consume it. We highly recommend this article posted by MadBarn if you want to look into weaning techniques and the benefits and drawbacks of each. 

Tips for Success:

• Gradually introduce high-quality hay and foal-specific feed.  

• Provide a calm environment to reduce stress during separation.  

• Monitor the foal’s weight and growth to ensure they’re thriving.  

June's Weaning

Forget creep feeding, June was hogging Sushi's feed a few months in. By the time we were having to give June a bit of grain separately so that Sushi could have her fill, we knew she was ready to transition off of her mother's milk. While she did miss her mama for the first week, she grew into her independence quite well. We braced for a potential drop in weight as she transitioned off of Sushi's milk, but our girl ate heartily and sustained her weight throughout the weaning process. Sushi also adapted to the change within a few days, and her teats began to dry up. 

We made sure that June was easily handled by this stage so that we could work with her closely to monitor her development. A couple things we trained her in preparation to wearning were 

• her voluntarily putting her nose into her halter noseband herself, minimal pressure is the goal!

• walking easily on a lead. Again, without any additional pressure other than verbal and body cues

• standing calmly on cross-ties for grooming

• comfortably allowing her feet being picked up

• spending time in the stall, stable, and outdoor paddocks to avoid anxieties from developing

• taking blankets well to keep her warm 

  • this is important if you're weaning in the fall/winter, if your foal's body condition does decline with weaning, keeping them warm with blankets may be beneficial in helping them conserve energy and not lose as many calories to temperature regulation

The Yearling Phase: Growth and Exploration

A yearling is a horse that is between one and two years old. As your foal enters this stage, their personality really begins to shine. This is a time of rapid growth and curiosity, as they explore their surroundings and learn about the world.  

What to Focus On:

• Continue building trust through gentle handling and groundwork.  

• Introduce basic training, such as leading and standing tied.  

• Monitor their diet to support healthy bone and muscle development.  

Hermione

Our sweet June is not a year old yet at the time of writing this post, but Hermione was in our care during her yearling year. We watched her development closely, making sure her hooves were regularly checked by the farrier to promote normal limb and muscular development. Hermione was a gentle, sweet creature. She was calm and comfortable with anything you threw her way. Halter and lead training came to her naturally. She rarely puts up a fight and we're lucky for that experience! We've seen other yearlings develop a real fiestiness as their strength grows and their build begins to resemble an adult horse. 

The Teenage Years: Training and Development

Between ages 2-4, your horse enters their “teenage” years. This is when their training becomes more structured, and they start to develop the skills they’ll need as a riding or working horse. This is where a lot of things may go wrong, we suggest studying the positive reinforcement method for training. While there is debate on whether a saddle may be introduced at this stage, groundwork should be well underway by now! Liberty training is a beautifully rewarding style of training that we recommend that will not only sharpen your bond with your horse, but prime them for when you are ready to work them under saddle. This term was coined by Carolyn Resnick in the 70s, and is widely celebrated today as an incredibly robust technique for engaging with horses of all disciplines and ages. Visit her blog for more information! This stage of a horse's life is all about cultivating their natural desire for leadership and connection with a human being. 

Key Considerations:

• Start with groundwork and gradually introduce saddle training.  

• Be patient — young horses are still learning and may test boundaries. 

• Focus on building a strong foundation of trust and respect. 

Hermione and Parker

As aforementioned, this is where many horses will undergo a rebellious phase. We experienced this with Parker more than Hermione, who is a OTTB and had only been off the track for a few weeks by the time he moved in with us. The most useful advice is to commit to small, consistent interactions. Presenting certain "asks" and rewarding every time they respond correctly is the most sureproof way for them to change the mindset they were trained to have in the short few years they have been alive. The great thing is that they learn quick! Once it 'clicks', you're in the clear. But beware, inconsistency after training a certain behaviour may lead to them forgetting or learning new ways to get around presenting the correct 'response'. Buckle in, this is where you must remain patient and grounded! When he was in his teenage years, Parker would sometimes refuse to step into inch-deep puddles if he was having an off day (What if he sank!? He was only 15 hands tall, after all). Hermione, compared to Parker, was the calmest, most tolerating horse. We are often astonished at how well she responds to new stimuli. You would be convinced she's experienced it all before! Each horse is truly different, and it's an honor to know them. 

Reaching Adulthood: The Pride of a Full-Grown Horse

By age 5, your horse is generally considered fully grown. Certain experts suggest that this age is closer to 6-8 years old. This is the moment you’ve been working toward — a strong, healthy, and well-trained horse ready for whatever adventures lie ahead.

Celebrating the Journey:

• Reflect on how far your horse has come.  

• Continue to provide proper care, including regular vet checkups, farrier visits, a balanced diet, exercise and consistent training.  

• Enjoy the bond you’ve built. It’s a partnership like no other!

Our Grown-Up Babies

Old dogs can learn new tricks, so can old horses. Whether they're young adults or senior horses, these animals will astonish you. They are ever-changing and while it is true that their learning ability may decline with extremely old age, a horse raised with good habits will always have that. No matter their age, horses will still love their feed and playtime. Remember that your bond with them is the reward, whether they are working or not!

Conclusion

Raising a horse from foal to full-grown is a journey of love, patience, and dedication. It’s not always easy, but the rewards are immeasurable. From those first wobbly steps to the proud moment they reach maturity, every stage is filled with lessons and memories that will last a lifetime.  

If you’re raising a foal of your own, cherish every moment. It’s a journey you’ll never forget. And if you’ve already been through it, take a moment to reflect on how far you and your horse have come.  

NOTE: The content provided in this blog post is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to serve as professional advice, guidance, or instruction. Every horse and situation is unique, and the experiences shared here may not apply to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified veterinarian, equine specialist, or professional trainer for personalized advice regarding the care, training, and management of your horse. Prestige Equestrian is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this post.  

Have a foal-raising story to share? We’d love to hear about your journey! DM our Instagram or tag us in your photos. And if you’re just starting out, don’t hesitate to reach out for advice!