Bringing home my first weanling. What are some things you wish you knew if you had to do it again? 

Dos, Donts, words of wisdom 

Make sure your fencing is clearly visible. I sold a weaner/yearling once that went from white vinyl (my place) to high tensil wire and promptly got in a bad accident because she didn't see the fence. 

I agree with previous poster. Put the baby in a safe area. When I brought home a weanling a few years ago I put her in a small round pen for a while until she got comfortable. Then later turned her out in the big field with the others. Just didn't want her panicking and running through a fence. 

As the other BB's said, a safe place and I will add (Have a buddy for your weanling) Dont stick them somewhere where they will be along and trying to get with another horse, this is where they get into trouble and get hurt. Make sure you have safe fencing. 

Feed plenty of alfalfa.  

And I would disagree with this.  Alfalfa will cause rapid growth and  joints will have issues.  You must carefully manage your feed.  Some is good, but they dont need much.  

Don't overfeed. I fed alfalfa pellets, free choice bermuda hay and a vitamin/mineral as mine was on 90 days stall rest. Now, as a yearling I feed alfalfa pellets, free choice bermuda and a vitamin/mineral supplement as well as 12-18 hours a day on pasture

I just fed mine 4 flakes of mix hay a day and a small amount of Ultium Growth, & increased the amount as he got older. When he was 2 he still was just barely eating 2lbs of the feed. Do everything you can to mess with them/expose them. I taught mine to lead and tie by the time he was 4 months old. And I'd leave him tied for awhile while I did other things. Pick up/clean feet. I had my farrier mess with him everytime he was here, wether it was just picking up his feet and tapping around on them a bit or rasping or nipping a little growth. Good time to teach them to load too and stand tied to trailer. All the desensitizing stuff is great while they're small and can't drag you much with their size. I'm doing that now with a 16.1h 7 year old that nobody bothered to expose as a baby and lord is it rough. Bathing is good, ponying them if you have a horse that will. I didn't turn mine out with other horses, I try not to let my horses be friends too much. But he shared a fence with a few. Nothing I hate more than a horse that hollers bc it's buddy left. Get them used to alone time. You can teach how to lunge, I also did ground driving with a homemade "surcingle" and just used the halter. My surcingle was just 2 dog leashes tied around him, using the handles to run the lines through. Just literally whatever you think of. Make sure they're vaccinated on schedule, mine unfortunately came to me never dewormed or vaccinated, him or the mare. So I had quite the mess to clean up. Otherwise just enjoy! 

I think being reasonable about protein and starches is important.  I feed alfalfa every day to my mares/foals, and my young horses.  I guess it can all be overdone.  In over 30 years, I've never had an OCD, epiphysitis, etc.  

I feed a lot of alfalfa. Though I also have grass hay to supplement. 

Pay attention to their feet. They can get clubby overnight it seems sometimes. If you rasp the heels and address it early, you can avoid needing to do check ligament surgery in many cases. 

Pay attention to their joints and growth plates. Foals can get physitis if they are growing too fast or getting too many calories and it can be painful. You will see bulges above their joints, most often seen at the fetlocks and above the knees. 

Agree with the fencing- safe fencing, have a safe buddy. 

Dont keep a nylon halter on them without being immediately supervised. Nylon halters dont break and if they are turned out with one on and get in a bind it can be catastrophic. 

Don't make him a dog. Teach and enforce ground manners when they are small so they dont turn into pushy adults

I do like to teach them to be haltered and to lead. Worst thing ever is when a weanling gets hurt and I have to treat a baby that can't be handled and is too big for the foal hold. 

Teach them to load. For the same reason as above.. A lot of times they can get convinced to get in a time or two, but keep up the practice. 

I have bought weanlings for many years. ( I can afford a nicer pedigree when they are young. ;)   

When they come home I put them in a large corral where I can get work with them regularly. If I only buy one then I have a buddy in the pen next to them or a offer to wean a colt for my sister. :) They do better with a friend.   A bale of grassy alfalfa hay in the feeder (I don't let them see the bottom of a hay feeder).  I have as good a loose mineral as I can get my hands on fed free choice. 

Once they are good to catch and handle (feet) I turn them into a larger paddock with a hay feeder and mineral. So far I have been happy with how my babies grow up.  I have not had soundness or health issues on this program.