Ep. 053: Critical Nutrients for Healthy Foal Growth and What Can Happen If They Don’t Get Them

On this episode, co-host Katy Starr and guest expert Dr. Stephen Duren, PhD, MS, PAS discuss the critical nutrients foals need for proper growth, including:

 

• The negative impact of certain nutrient deficiencies or excess of those nutrients

• The most common nutritional growth disorders and how to avoid them

• What foals can and should consume within their first year of life, in order to meet their growth requirements

 

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From newborn to one year of age, young horses are known as foals. This first year of life is instrumental in determining how a horse’s future will play out, and poor nutrition can be devastating in a number of different ways. 

During this episode, Dr. Stephen Duren, PhD. equine nutrition specialist, joins us for a discussion about some of the most important nutritional elements of a horse’s diet. From protein to zinc, to the “big two” nutrients (i.e. calcium and phosphorus), 

Dr. Duren explains the importance of each and the issues that can arise if a foal receives more or less than the optimal amount. You will also learn about the digestive system of foals, when foals should be started on solids, and how the diet of a pregnant mare impacts the fetus. 

 

Key Points from This Episode:

The definition of a foalWhere you can access a comprehensive list of nutrients for horsesNutrients that are critical for foal growthSymptoms of nutrient deficiency in foalsThe dangers of overfeeding a foalHow to support a foal whose mother is not producing enough milkThe age at which foals should start consuming hay and concentratesProblems that arise due to a lack of proteinWhy calcium and phosphorus are known as the “big two”The importance of getting the calcium-phosphorus ratio rightHow zinc impacts foal growthThe effects of inadequate levels of copper in a foal’s dietWhat a foal’s digestive system looks likeHow the diet of a pregnant mare will affect the foal after birthThe growth stages that a foal goes through during the first year of lifeHow your goals for the foal should determine their nutrition management planThe benefits of a smooth growth curveHow to minimize weight issues when a foal is weaned off his mother’s milkAdvice on what to feed a growing foalSome of the most common developmental orthopedic diseasesExercises that young, growing horses should not engage in

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Notable References:

2:59 - Nutritional Requirements of Horses (Sixth Revised Edition 2007) - https://doi.org/10.17226/1165314:54 – In reference to a study done in New Zealand regarding the effect of copper supplementation on the copper status of pasture-fed foals - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9622321/35:05 – In reference to horses who had stifle and sesamoid issues, they followed them and based off their radiographs, if they appeared in a 2 year old sale to see, did they race and how did they do? - Pages 424-427 chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/2022Proceedings.pdf38:45 – Studies with sheep and horses to determine if circling or loading a joint unevenly could cause joint damage - https://www.hindawi.com/journals/arthritis/2017/7481619/ & https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/11/1379

 

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Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]Share our podcast and learn more about our co-hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast pageSUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

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Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin BlogFind more nutritional resources from Dr. Stephen Duren and Dr. Tania Cubitt at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

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*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

 

Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZaHave a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]Share our podcast and learn more about our co-hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast pageSUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin BlogFind more nutritional resources from Dr. Stephen Duren and Dr. Tania Cubitt at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok