Work with foals: To prepare for weaning time, give youngsters as much handling and halter training as you can throughout the summer months.

Plan for weaning: Make that inevitable separation as stress-free as possible by thinking it through in advance, choosing the weaning method that will be easiest on mom and baby both.

Take baby photos: Pick a nice day, then give yourself plenty of time to get great foal-registration images (which are also made easier by lots of foal handling in advance). Do the paperwork early for lowest fees, submit applications before the fall deadline.