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.

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