Stud Farm & Growing horses and ponies
In the stud farm, we see that the minimum roughage requirement is usually met since many mares and young animals are offered unlimited roughage.
However, a healthy gut flora, which allows this roughage to be digested well, is often a point of concern. For this purpose, Equilin® products have been developed.
A health intestinal flora is the basis of a healthy mare and foal
Pregnant mares and young animals easily consume 2.5% of their body weight in dry matter of roughage per day, which is more than 3/3.5 kg of hay per 100 kg of horse. If the intestinal flora is balanced and digestion is functioning well, a mare barely needs extra energy even towards the end of pregnancy. Similarly, growing animals do not suffer from energy deficiency with an average roughage diet after their first year of life.
Problems that are often observed include roughage being too poor in quality, too wet (dry matter content below 70%), or even moldy. This negatively affects the intestinal flora, preventing the proper absorption of energy from roughage. In such situations, supplementary concentrate feed is often considered as a solution, effectively resulting in double feeding.
Roughage does not contain all the necessary nutrients
- It lacks sufficient minerals, of which copper is essential during pregnancy and rearing for the development of healthy joints.
- Zinc, copper, and selenium are also crucial for a strong immune system.
- Similarly, vitamin E, which is insufficiently present in dried roughage, contributes to a healthy nervous system and muscle function.
- The calcium/phosphorus ratio is particularly important for growing animals and should not exceed 1.5:1. For pregnant mares, it is essential to have an adequate phosphorus intake in their diet.
EquilinGROW contains the necessary minerals and vitamins for pregnant and lactating mares and growing foals up to 3.5 years of age.
Buy the EquilinGROW starter kit now
Go to the nutrition guide and request dietary advice
