THE HORSE GAZETTE
equine health
the way of the horse
managing & feeding the weanling
SPRING CLEANING SALE!
By Eleanor Blazer © 2009
Caelan (a warmblood) mineral requirements. advice regarding the mare’s nutri-
is a weanling with a challenge. Mineral imbalances: tional requirements. Fortunately
Every full sister and The amount of minerals avail- we had 90 days before Caelan
brother acquired developmental able and the ratio of calcium to was due.
orthopedic disease (DOD). phosphorus are very important to The foal in utero does
50% off all vests
DOD is the term used a growing foal. most of it’s growing during the
to describe musculoskeletal prob- Calcium and phospho- last 90 days of gestation. It is im-
lems in growing horses. These rus are needed in bone develop- portant the mare receives adequate
problems include physitis (once ment. But supplementation can amounts of the proper nutrients
mistakenly called epiphysitis), interfere with the absorption of to sustain her and the foal, plus
osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) other minerals. provide enough extra for the foal
and flexor deformities, such as The ratio of calcium to store.
and coats!
contracted tendons. to phosphorus needs to be moni- While the foal is in ute-
Some known causes tored. High phosphorus levels ro he must store adequate amounts
of DOD are genetics, exercise, have caused lesions in the carti- of copper, zinc and manganese
Phone: 210-698-7802
excessive digestible energy, ex- lage of growing foals. A desired in his liver to sustain him for at
Fax: 210-698-8370
cessive body weight and mineral least three months of life. Mare’s
imbalances. milk is low in these minerals and
Genetics: Studies research has found supplement-
Store Hours:
have shown certain stallions and ing the mare to try to improve the
Monday - Friday: 10 am - 6 pm
mares pass on the tendency to concentration of minerals in the
Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm • Sunday: 12 Noon - 4 pm
develop musculoskeletal prob- milk does not work.
lems. Fast growing foals from After analyzing the
these crosses have a higher risk hay, we found a balanced com-
Located at IH-10 and Boerne Stage
of incurring DOD. Caelan fell mercial product that provided
Road in the HEB Shopping Center
into this group. the needed nutrients for an 1100-
Website: www.boernestagesaddlery.com
Exercise: Exercise pound mare in the last 90 days of
is an important part of joint de- pregnancy.
velopment and health. Growing Then we relaxed and
foals need exercise. The freedom waited…well, I relaxed – Ada
to run and play enhances bone paced and counted the days.
growth and development. Forced ratio of 2:1 (calcium to phospho- In April, Caelan ar-
exercise is not good for foals rus) is generally recommended. rived. He was healthy; avoiding
and should be avoided. Foals The following are ap- the problems his siblings suf-
should not be confined in a stall proximate nutrient levels per day fered.
or small area. for a four month old foal that As the mare’s nutri-
It is possible that dur- should mature to 1,100 pounds tional requirements changed
ing rough play a foal may injure (NRC 6
th
Revised Edition 2007): during lactation, the ration was
the growth plate. The small risk Digestible Energy/Mcals: 13.3; adjusted.
of this occurring is not a good Protein: 669 grams; As soon as Caelan
reason to keep a foal confined. Calcium: 39.1 grams; showed interest in feed, he was
Excessive Digest- Phosphorus: 21.7 grams; Sodium: started on a balanced fortified
ible Energy: A feeding pro- 12.8 grams; Copper: 142.1 mil- supplement. This provided his
gram which produces excessive ligrams; Iron: 210.6 milligrams; needed protein, vitamins and
amounts of digestible energy is a Selenium: 0.42 milligram; Zinc: minerals, without him adding
major cause of physitis. 168.5 milligrams; Vitamin A: weight. He and his dam had ac-
Overfeeding carbohy- 7,600 I.U.; Vitamin D: 3,740 cess to a large pasture, so he could
drates and starch increases the I.U.; and Vitamin E: 337 I.U. exercise freely.
production of insulin and glucose. A nutrient, believed Weaning presented no
Research has shown high insulin erroneously by many, to cause problems.
and glucose levels suppress the DOD is protein. For years many Caelan was on a bal-
development of cartilage cells. weanling owners with DOD anced supplement that com-
These studies have proven the problems, decreased feed in an plimented the nutrients in the
glycemic response (the measure- effort to lower the protein levels, forage and was not allowed to get
ment of how much blood sugar thinking excessive protein caused overweight.
rises after a meal) needs to be the joint pain and swelling. This A note from Ada:
kept low in growing foals. It is led to stunted foals, which never “Caelan is almost a year old and
important to feed a concentrate reached their genetic potential. is 15 hands at the withers. He was
that has a low glycemic index. Protein is needed for 11 hands at birth. Despite his
Feeds that have a low the development of muscle, skin, large size and quick growth I have
glycemic index are forages (not hair, and hooves. It maintains seen no signs of DOD or any other
new spring grass), feeds contain- healthy red blood cells, bones, growth or joint issues.”
ing forage, and concentrates that and is needed for the regulation of * Earn a Bachelor of
SS Model
provide calories from fat - not the body’s internal organs. Science degree in equine studies shown with
grains. Limiting the amount of or certification as a Professional optional tool box
E x c e s s i v e B o d y protein in a growing foal will not Horse Trainer or Riding Instruc-
Weight: Excessive amounts prevent or cure physitis. tor. Start your new career as a
of digestible energy can lead Creating a protein defi- riding instructor, horse trainer,
to overweight foals. The extra ciency will cause poor growth. or stable manager. All courses
weight puts pressure on the The first step taken are online. Start anytime and
joints. to insure Caelan’s health began work at your own pace. Visit
Weanlings should be before his birth. Caelan’s owner, www.horsecourseonline.com for
kept lean, while meeting their Ada Thompson, contacted me for information.
breed
Bully Dog or
shot BOard & Executive committee elected
Super Chip
Truck Tuners or
BRYAN, TX - The
Thompson of Bryan; Debbie Ordeneaux of East Bernard. SK Model
Stock Horse of Texas’ 2009
Wold of Kaufman; Kim Lindsey Serving one year terms
executive committee and board
of Jayton, past-president and are Carrie Sharp of Scurry and
Chips Available!
of directors were named recently
B.F. Yeates of Bryan, executive Matt McMillan of Huntsville.
at the association’s winter board
director. Directors at large are
meeting in Fort Worth. The
Board of directors Jack Brainard of Tioga, Rog-
officials will work throughout
elected to three-year terms are er Blackmon of Baird, Vicki
Bumpers • Grills • Truck Boxes • Brake Controls • Brakes • Jacks
the year to carry forward the
Larry King of Huntsville, Bev- Hoggett of Bluff Dale, Doug
association’s vision of — “Help-
erly Moseley of Navasota, Amy Householder of College Station
ing people ride better horses.”
Jacobs of Montgomery and Lau- and Dennis Sigler of Bryan.
Trailer Rewiring • Lubrication • Gooseneck & Receiver Hitches
Serving on the
rie Shelton of Brenham. For more information
executive committee is Kris
Serving two years on on the Stock Horse of Texas
Wilson of Lubbock, president;
the SHOT board of directors are Association contact B.F. Yeates,
Jimbo Humphreys of Dickens,
Brian Sumrall of Liberty; Don executive director, at (979) 846-
first vice-president; Rick
Henneke of Stephenville; Ken 4538 or www.stockhorsetexas.
Johnson of Fort Worth and Greg org.
Phone:
830-257-3312 or
866-330-8058
3120 Memorial Blvd.
Kerrville, Texas
Store Hours
Monday - Friday: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday: 7:30am - 2Noon
Visit us online at www.back40supply.com
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