Why supplement?

A direct relationship was found between high quality (high scoring) feed rations and the higher incidence of skeletal health. Both ratios and quantities of certain minerals were important, for instance: calcium and phosphorus not only had to be kept in the proper ratio, but the total quantity available had to be sufficient to meet the needs of the rapidly growing animal.

Follow up studies were done specifically on the proper levels of copper and zinc. These studies showed that copper and zinc levels may be as important as the calcium-phosphorus ratio we have heard so much about. Specifically, broodmares should be supplemented with sufficient levels of copper and zinc during their last trimester of pregnancy to build up the fetal liver stores of these two minerals. These stores need to be sufficiently large enough to help maintain proper growth while the foal is nursing, since mare’s milk does not pass copper, manganese, and zinc to the foal. Prenatal nutrition for your broodmare in the last trimester of her pregnancy is the single best thing you can do for her foal.

What can a breeder do now?

Learn something about feeds and nutrition. Alfalfa is the hay of choice in many parts of the U.S. and Canada. It is high in protein. But alfalfa has a calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 6:1, whereas a growing horse should have a ratio of between 1.3:1 to 2.5:1 (Ca: P). While alfalfa provides a good level of copper (Cu), it still does not meet the levels research suggests it should be. Add to that the fact that most alfalfa contains molybdenum (which blocks the availability of Cu) and is also low in zinc, it becomes obvious that alfalfa can’t serve as your foal’s complete diet if you are to support skeletal health and growth.

Grass hays and grain hays (oat and barley) must be the answer then, right? No, not completely. While the Ca:P ratio is closer to a correct 1.3:1 to 2.5:1, the quantity of Ca and P is low—there just isn’t enough of either to insure adequate supplies for both metabolism and bones during high growth spurts. Copper levels are one-half those found in alfalfa, and zinc is about the same as in alfalfa.

The answer comes in proper supplementation, using products formulated for the type of rations you are feeding. While no single feedstuff is complete by itself, most feedstuffs can be supplemented to reach all the recommended levels needed to insure healthy growth.

Mare & Foal™ I Label Information

A nutritional supplement, for pregnant mares, weanlings, and yearlings on alfalfa rations. Mare & Foal I™ is formulated with phosphorus, copper, and zinc to correct the mineral deficiencies needed for proper growth. Best fed with Select I™ the combination will greatly enhance your alfalfa hay ration.

Feeding Directions:

FOALS: Not intended for creep feeding use.

WEANLINGS AND YEARLINGS: Up to 1/2 lb per head per day mixed with grain as required to support reasonable growth rates. We suggest feeding with Select I™ Vitamin and Mineral Supplement for complete nutrition.

MARES: 1/2 lb per head per day during the last 90 days of gestation to supply calcium and phosphorus for fetal bone growth and copper and zinc for fetal liver stores. 1/2 lb per head per day during the first 90 days of lactation to assure adequate calcium and phosphorus for milk production.

Ingredients:

Rice bran, Monosodium phosphate, Sugarcane molasses dehydrated, Zinc sulfate, and Copper sulfate

Mare & Foal™ II Label Information

A nutritional supplement for pregnant mares, weanlings, and yearlings on grain or grass hays. Mare & Foal II is formulated with calcium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc to correct the mineral deficiencies needed for proper growth. Best fed with Select II, the combination will greatly enhance your grain or grass hay ration.

Feeding Directions:

FOALS: Not intended for creep feeding use.

WEANLINGS AND YEARLINGS: Up to 1/2 lb per head per day mixed with grain as required to support reasonable growth rates. We suggest feeding with Select II™ Vitamin and Mineral Supplement for complete nutrition.

Ingredients:

Rice bran, Dicalcium phosphate, Calcium carbonate, Sugarcane molasses dehydrated, Zinc sulfate, and Copper sulfate