What is Cal-Gro?

Cal-Gro is a pelleted supplement formulated with key ingredients to support the healthy skeletal development of foals in utero and throughout the first year of growth.

Calcium and phosphorus are provided in the ideal ratio of 2:1 alongside vitamins A, D and K, key amino acids, bioavailable silica, and chelated sources of copper, zinc and manganese.

Cal-Gro has always been an incredibly popular product with breeders to help optimise bone health. Foran Equine continually develop their supplements based on customer feedback and the latest scientific research. The formulation includes:

  • A pelleted format to make it easier when feeding horses outside.
  • The pelleted format improves palatability of the product as a lot of horses will not like powdered supplements.
  • Vitamin D has been added to support the absorption of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.
  • Vitamin K is also included to help support bone mineralisation.

    • If my horses are already on a balanced diet, do I still need to supplement with Cal-Gro?

    A balanced stud feed will likely contain all the calories, protein, vitamins and minerals required to keep your breeding stock healthy. However, you may consider supplementing with Cal-Gro if:

  • You are worried about mineral availability (such as copper) in your grass or your conserved forage (hay or haylage).
  • Your mare is overweight and requires a lower intake of hard feed but still needs targeted nutritional support.
  • Your mare has reduced her feed intake during the last trimester and needs additional nutrient support in a concentrated format.
  • You have had issues with developmental diseases in youngstock in the past.
  • Your foal becomes top heavy and requires less calories, but still needs targeted nutritional support.

    • Should Cal-Gro be fed to the mare or the foal?

    Ideally, Cal-Gro would be fed to both the mare and the foal. Skeletal development is initiated in utero, so supplementing the mare, particularly during the final trimester of pregnancy, will help to increase the amount of essential nutrients transferred to the foal. Continuing to supplement the mare with Cal-Gro during lactation will help to support the nutritional value of her milk. For foals, Foran Equine recommend supplementing with Cal-Gro from two weeks of age onwards. Ensure supplementation continues during high-risk periods.

    Can Cal-Gro be used during sales preparation?

    When foals are being prepped for sales, additional pressures may be placed on their skeletal system, which leads to an increased risk of skeletal issues, e.g. epiphysitis. Therefore, continued supplementation of Cal-Gro to foals during prep may be beneficial to support bone health, in particular during the introduction of exercise.

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