ONE of the most important goals for breeders is to produce a fully-grown, sound, and top performing athlete. Rapid growth in horses has been associated with compromised skeletal growth; however, horses that grow too slowly may not reach optimal size, possibly reducing their sales value and lessening their chances of becoming elite athletes.

Weighing and measuring growing horses is extremely important in allowing breeders to compare weight and height of their young stock against a reference growth curve, rather than relying on the eye alone.

For over 15 years, Kentucky Equine Research (KER), an equine nutrition and consultation company which works closely with Bluegrass Horse Feeds, has collected body weight and height data from foals born and raised in the major Thoroughbred-producing countries of the world including America, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India. Using this database of over 13,000 Thoroughbred foals, KER has compiled detailed reference growth curves for breeders to use when monitoring their horses’ growth.

The first growth-monitoring software for equines, Gro-trac, lets breeders compare the growth rates of their foals, weanlings, and yearlings with those of young horses of a similar age, sex, and breed. The comprehensive database contains weights, heights, and average daily gain statistics for thousands of young horses, allowing an owner to compare a horse against a selected reference group.

Growth spurts or slumps are easily recognised in their early stages, and steps can be taken to prevent large variations in gain rates. Research has shown that steady growth can help to ward off skeletal defects as horses mature, so monitoring each young horse’s weight helps to guarantee soundness along with maximal development.

DOD

A smooth growth curve is vitally important in preventing developmental orthopedic disease (DOD), a crippling condition that sidelines many young horses before they ever get to mauturity.

A program of weighing and measuring foals on a frequent basis is needed to collect the information. The figures are then entered into Gro-Trac, which analyses the plane of growth for each foal and compares a colt or filly to its peers on the farm, as well as to thousands of other foals across the region.

Careful monitoring of changes in height and weight can alert breeders at the earliest sign of a dangerous growth spurt or slump, allowing minor changes to nutritional management before a problem might be seen by the most expert visual examination.

During the first few months of life, foals grow rapidly, quadrupling their body weights by five months of age. During this time, foals derive the energy, protein, and minerals necessary to support rapid growth from a combination of mare milk, pasture, supplemental grain, and mineral stores in the foal’s liver.

If the broodmare has received a correctly fortified feed during late pregnancy and is producing adequate milk, in most cases it is unnecessary to supplement the foal with grain until it reaches 90 days of age.

Proper nutrient intake is vital during the weanling stage as the skeleton is most vulnerable to disease. Most types of DOD are unlikely to form after 12 months of age. DODs which become clinically relevant after this age have typically been formed at a younger age; nevertheless, correct nutrient balance is important in the growing yearling.

BALANCING ACT

Nutrition plays an important role in the development of DOD in horses as deficiencies, excesses, and imbalances of nutrients affect the incidence and severity of a range of DODs such as physitis, angular limb deformity, wobbler syndrome, and osteochondritis dissecans. The most common feeding errors attributed to DOD are excessive grain intake, feeding an inappropriate grain for the forage being fed, and inadequate fortification of grain. These three scenarios are easily fixed by feeding an appropriate grain mix fortified for the young, growing horse such as Foal & Yearling Mix, and feeding it at the correct intake. Young horses already suffering from DOD should have their energy intakes reduced while maintaining correct levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Managing the growth and development of the athletic horse is a balancing act between achieving maximal physiological size and preventing developmental orthopedic disease. Maintaining a steady growth rate by providing appropriate amounts of correctly balanced, low-starch rations intended for growing horses and regularly weighing and measuring horses during the growth period is recommended to help maximise athletic potential of your foal.

For further free feeding advice and personalised diets for your horse or pony, phone Craig Kileff on 07817681538 or email info@bluegrasshorsefeed.com