Equine Nutrition
For
Your Foals
 Foal
Ration is a part of the
“ON THE BIT” line of equine rations. It contains 18.5% protein to aid in
the rapid growth and development in the first year after birth. The
quantity of the protein is as important as the quality of the protein.
Essential amino acids like lysine, methionine and trytophan are balanced
in this foal ration.
Foals can increase up to 75% of
their adult size in the first year of growth. Foals have small
stomachs and are slow to digest forages; therefore
foals require high quality feed to meet the high nutritional
demands of rapid growth and development.
Foals can experience
developmental orthopaedic disease or DOD. This is a complex of bone and
joint disorders that can include epiphysitis, angular limb deformities,
contracted tendons, wobbler’s syndrome and osteochondrosis.
 Although
some believe that high protein diets may contribute to the DOD complex,
this is not the case. What could contribute to this complex are mineral
imbalance, high excess energy diets, and irregular growth patterns.
Good nutritional management can reduce the risk of developmental orthopaedic disease.
 This specific feed is best
suited for feeding to foals prior to weaning. This feed is intended to
be fed as a supplement to milk from the mare or when a milk replacer is
being fed. 18.5% Foal Ration should be offered in small amounts
beginning at one week of age.
How much should I feed
Start by feeding a 1 week old
foal 1/3 cup/day and move the feed rate up slowly. You will feed a foal
1 lb. for a 100 lbs colt. At weaning, increase the amount offered to a
maximum of 1.2 lbs per 100 lbs of body weight. After the foals have
adjusted to being weaned and are steadily growing, switch to "ON
THE BIT" 16% Grower Horse Ration and
dust-free good quality hay or pasture.
The quality of the forage, level and growth rate and the condition of
the foal will determine the actual feeding level. It is important to
keep the foal on a consistent daily feeding plan. Always allow free
choice access to clean water, salt, and an excellent quality equine
mineral. |
