AT this stage of the foal’s development owners must pay close attention to the foal’s growth rate. Any disturbances to skeletal growth during this period could have serious consequences, and could render a valuable foal worthless.

The period between three and nine months seems to be the most precarious for the foal in terms of developmental problems. Through good management, regular farrier visits and ensuring the foal has received adequate nutrition to meet his growing needs, the chance of a developmental orthopaedic disease occurring would be minimal.

SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM

Equine Developmental Orthopaedic Disease (DOD) is a significant problem facing many breeders of today and encompasses all orthopaedic problems and general growth disturbances seen in the growing horse.

Some of the most common DOD’s include:

Bone development begins before birth and continues beyond 18 months of age. In young growing horses, skeletal bones initially develop from cartilage, which is gradually converted into hard bone through a process called endochondral ossification.

During maturation, two growth plates develop at each end of the long bones (e.g. cannon bone). The epiphysis faces the joint, and the metaphysis faces the shaft of the bone and together they are called the physis. If the supply of vital nutrients via the blood to the developing area is impaired, the growth process is compromised.

A defect in the cartilage of the growth plate facing the joint (the epiphyseal growth plate) may cause problems such as OCD and bone cysts. However, if the defect occurs within the bone at the metaphyseal growth plate (the growth plate for adding length), problems arise in alignment and weight carrying ability, which can cause an angular limb deformity.

Growth plates close at different times for different bones. It is very important that corrections to alignment and weight distribution be carried out before the plate closes.

STEADY GROWTH IS KEY

Several factors have been implicated in a horse being predisposed to DOD: genetics, rapid growth and excessive body size, mechanical stress and trauma, high carbohydrate and/or high energy diets, mineral imbalances, and an uneven growth curve.

It is very important to monitor growth rates and evaluate the foal’s skeletal development.

Steady moderate growth along a typical growth curve appears to provide the best method of reducing developmental problems. It is up to the breeder to be aware of situations in the foal’s life that may affect his growth curve, such as changes in the quality of the mare’s milk, climate and environment, periods of stress or rapid or compensatory growth.

DIETARY CHANGE

Mare’s milk, from the third month of lactation, will begin to drop in both quantity and quality, as will the foal’s ability to digest milk. If requirements cannot be met by pasture and forage alone to meet the foal’s nutritional needs then an alternative source of nutrient supply will need to be provided.

Connolly’s Red Mills Foal Pellet or Foal and Yearling Cooked Mix are specially formulated to meet the requirements of growing young stock. Foal pellets can be introduced from as early as three weeks of age.

The ability of the foregut to utilise grain at this age is surprisingly high. Unlike the hindgut which does not develop fully until the foal is about 2-3 months of age, impeding the foal’s ability to extract significant nutrients from forages.

In the young growing horse, energy, protein, minerals and vitamins are first directed to maintenance requirements such as boosting the immune system, and any additional nutrients are then used for skeletal growth. Demand on these nutrients can be very high in cold wet years in comparison to warm drier years.

So as not to compromise bone development breeders may need to supplement with additional hard feed or with a quality balancer, such as Connolly’s Red Mills Grocare.

Breeders should avoid ‘growth spikes’ in their young foals, as these are particularly dangerous in inducing a DOD. A spike or growth surge commonly occurs following a period of slow or decreased growth due to stress, illness, shipping or weaning. It is very important that the foal is eating well before beginning weaning.

BALANCERS ARE IDEAL

Producers often desire to have large foals for maximum benefit in the sales ring. An animal growing at a more rapid rate has an increased requirement for all nutrients.

If growing horses are fed elevated amounts of energy but low levels of other nutrients, there will be an increase in weight before the skeleton has sufficiently developed to carry the added weight. The careful balance of protein, calcium and phosphorus in relation to energy is essential for optimal growth and skeletal development. Other minerals involved in bone formation include copper, zinc, manganese and selenium. Deficiencies or imbalances may lead to weak porous bone.

Balancers are an ideal way of ensuring the youngster receives essential nutrients while also controlling calorie intake.

In addition to the essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals contained in a balancer pellet other ingredients could include:

Balancers can be added to hard feed or fed alone. As each feed manufacturer will have different specifications in relation to their product it is important to follow the feeding guidelines provided.