Breeding & developing horses and ponies

Nutrition for foals and ponies

‘The New Feeding Concept’, back to the natural roughage needs of the mare and her developing foal. In breeding, we see that the minimum roughage norm is usually met, as most broodmares and youngsters are offered unlimited roughage. Healthy intestinal flora are, however, often a point of attention and are therefore the basis of Equilin®’s products. A healthy intestinal flora is the foundation of a healthy mare and foal.

Mares in foal and youngsters easily eat 2,5% of their body weight in dry matter in roughage a day. When the intestinal flora are balanced and digestion is working well, the mare hardly needs any extra energy, even towards the end of her pregnancy. Developing youngsters after their first year of life will not develop any energy deficiencies either with the average roughage.

Problems we do encounter are that the roughage is too one-sided, too wet or even mouldy (dry matter content below 70%). This has a negative impact on the intestinal flora, decreasing the absorption of energy from the roughage, in which case the addition of concentrates is necessary.

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EquilinGROW, nutrition for foals and ponies

• It contains insufficient minerals, of which copper is vitally important throughout the mare’s pregnancy and the foal’s development to ensure healthy joints.
• Zinc, copper and selenium are also important for a good immune system.
• As is vitamin E, which is not found in dried roughage in adequate amounts to contribute to the proper functioning of the nervous system and muscle system.
• The calcium/phosphorus ratio is very critical for developing young animals, and it cannot be more than 1,5 : 1. For pregnant mares, the phosphorus level in their diet is also especially important.