In contrast, mature height at the hock is reached by six months of age. It is important to avoid growth spurts and setbacks. If the mares fed adequately during pregnancy the foal will have ample supplies of trace minerals stored in their liver. This is important because the mare's milk will not provide the suckling foal with adequate amounts of mineral necessary for proper bone development. It is recommended that foals as young as 15 days of age be provided with a commercial creep feed or, at least, a mineral-vitamin supplement mixed in with salt.
Foals have a natural appetite for salt.
Monitor the foal's growth rate on a regular basis. If a livestock or portable scale is not available, track the increasing measurements of the foal's wither height and weight with a yard stick and weight tape. If you don't have a commercial weight tape you can use measurements in cm. To figure the estimated weight in pounds, simply multiple your answer by 2.2.