Horse breeding practices and foal management decisions in the first months of life have lasting effects on behavioral and physical welfare throughout the horse lifetime.
The welfare of horses in breeding programs begins before birth through genetic selection and continues through foaling management, early handling, and weaning practices. Early weaning at 4-6 months causes acute separation distress and may increase later fear and anxiety compared to later weaning. Breeding for extreme conformation or muscle characteristics introduces heritable health problems. Foal handling programs that expose young horses to human contact improve trainability but must be done gently to avoid sensitizing rather than habituating the foal. The foundation of adult horse welfare is set in the first year of life.