In general, weaning results in a decrease in the foal's growth rate. To prevent this decline, it is important to ensure that the foal ingests a sufficient quantity of dry matter to meet its nutritional needs. The feeding plan and growth should be monitored rigorously at this stage, and overfeeding is also not desirable.
After weaning
After weaning, the foal's feeding management should remain strict. Between 12 and 15 months of age, the foal will reach approximately 90% of height at the withers, 95% of bone growth and approximately 70% of adult weight. The remaining growth will occur gradually thereafter, with significant differences in the remaining growth time depending on the breed.
A proper diet that avoids periods of stress remains essential, with regular growth being preferable to growth spurts. Nutritional deficiencies, excesses or imbalances have been associated with developmental orthopedic disorders (DODs) and are therefore undesirable.
choice of food
When choosing food, priority should be given to a good quality forage component (hay and/or pasture) and a specific compound feed for foals, with good digestibility and which provides an adequate supply of lysine, vitamins, macrominerals (such as calcium and phosphorus) and microminerals (such as zinc and copper) necessary for correct bone and joint development.