Weaning foals from their mothers is a stressful event for both, as is shown by an increase in cortisol levels of both animals. The objective of this set of experiments was to determine if stress can be minimized by either gradual or abrupt weaning, and if manipulation of dietary constituents can aid in the reduction of this stress. Two experiments were performed. In experiment one, 20 mare and foal pairs were housed on pasture, with mares (foals allowed access) being given an all forage or forage and pelleted diet. These pairs were then separated, and in one group, all mares were removed abruptly. The second group had one or two mares removed daily. Blood tests were taken 72 hr post weaning to determine ACTH levels. Behavior was recorded for 1 hr after weaning, and for the following 2 days. Each foal was subjectively assigned a stress indication scale rating between 1 (severe stress) and 10 (no stress). Experiment 2 involved 24 mare/foal pairs. 10 of these pairs were given access to a high starch and sugar supplement, 10 to a high fat and fibre supplement, and 4 to pelleted concentrate and pasture. All mares were removed gradually except for the 4 on the pelleted supplement (abrupt removal of mares). Data collected was similar to that in experiment 1. The experimental results indicate that abruptly weaned foals were more active than those gradually weaned, possibly indicating an increase in stress level. Dietary constituents in experiment 2 resulted in a shift in stress level, with foals on high fat and fibre grazing more, indicating a lower stress level than foals on high sugar/starch. Plasma cortisol levels did not show a difference in stress levels due to diet or weaning method. To conclude, this research indicates that weaning stress can be reduced by gradual weaning, and by using dietary constituents high in fat/fibre.