Feeding your stud horses for growth
From little acorns. . .
Our Development Nutritionist Isabel Harker discusses feeding your mare and foal
Whether a thoroughbred, native or warmblood foal we know that as the owner or breeder your aim is to produce a sound, healthy and successful horse for whatever you aim to do with him.
Many factors influence the growth and development of foals, but nutrition is one that we can influence. Healthy eating not only supports overall health but also future well being and longevity
Sound bone growth
Bone development, digestive health, behavioural development and the body’s defence system are all areas influenced by nutrition. Winergy Equilibrium (WE) Growth is the first revolutionary feed proven to support these essential areas of development.
New research suggests that the sources of energy in a horse’s feed are as important as the amount of energy in the diet. A growing body of evidence suggests the insulin response to a traditional cereal based feed may play a significant role in the development of Developmental Orthopaedic Disease (DOD’s).
Winergy Equilibrium Growth provides energy from fibre and oil and a minimal starch and sugar content, to support optimal bone development, without affecting growth rates, benefits which were never achievable with traditional stud feeds.
Maximising digestive health
Pregnancy and lactation present huge challenges to your mare. Such demands affect the digestive system, particularly the hindgut. You can help support digestive health in your mare and foal by maximising fibre intake and reducing the reliance on cereals. WE can help you do this.
Improving immunity in your foal
Your new born foal relies on the antibodies passed from his mother via her colostrum in the first 24 hours after birth to protect him from germs in his new environment. This is called passive immunity. You can help support the transfer of passive immunity by providing high levels of vitamin E found in Winergy Equilibrium Growth. Recent research has proven that high levels of vitamin E can significantly increase the antibody concentration in both the mare’s colostrum and in the foal, hence supporting his immune system at this critical time.
The occurrence of behaviours such as crib biting and wood chewing can be influenced by both stress and lack of dietary fibre. Young horses that received traditional stud feeds following weaning have been shown to be four times more likely to develop crib biting than those that did not. Crib-biting has also been linked to gastric ulcers in foals. Altering the diet to include more fibre can help you reduce the risk of your foal developing stereotypies. The feeding of ad lib forage and using WE may help to reduce the risk of your foal developing gastric ulcers and has recently been shown in trials to have drastic results even stopping foals crib biting altogether.
You want to get the best out of your young horse and we want to help you, WE will help you take control of your feeding and is the perfect way to support growth, development and longevity.
WE and You. Keep your horse in great shape. For more information contact the Winergy care-line on 01908 576 277