Discussion on Rescue Foal of 9 mos.
Use the navigation bar above to access articles and more discussions on this topic.
| Author |
Message |
    
Terri Barney
New Member
Username: allegacy
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008 - 4:14 pm: |   |
I have a rescue foal that is 9 mos and looks like he is 4 mos. He was abandoned at birth, found and bottle feed. After that he was placed with grown horses that would not let him eat and they terrorized him. When he arrived at the rescue about 9 weeks ago the Vet did not think he would make it as he was so weak from malnutrition, full of worms and required hernia surgery. My vet came out on Monday (this week) he said that he looked really good and was surprised that after going through so much he looks great. My question is about proper feeding. Does anyone have any recommendations that will give him good nutrition without over doing it. |
leslie christian
Member
Username: leslie1
Post Number: 458
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008 - 4:55 pm: | |
As per DRO
Feeding growing foals is fairly simple:
1) fresh water, trace mineral block, and good quality grass forage should always be available.
2)Alfalfa is added to the diet at the daily rate of 0.5% of the expected mature weight of the horse, this balances the protein and calcium needs of the growing foal.
3) A 12 to 16 % concentrate is then added to the diet at a rate to maintain a body condition score of 5 to 6.
For the alfalfa, I would think if you arent sure of his expected mature weight or what his breed is --figure average horse is 1000Lbs.
Lesliexc |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 21849
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008 - 7:45 pm: | |
The above formula works for all foals but it should also be added that any changes in the diet needs to be done slowly, more so in the stressed individual. What is the foal currently being fed?
DrO |
Terri Barney
New Member
Username: allegacy
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008 - 9:00 pm: | |
Hi as of now he is getting free access to a grass/alfalfa mix with LMF developer. I am adding in FORCO and Sandclear for a week. I will continue the FORCO. He also has access to a mineral block salt and fresh clean warm water. I know that I need to add anything new into his diet slowly. I just wanted to know if there is anything else I can do for him or if there is a better supplement out there. Also I am concerned about play time. In the last two days he has actually for the first time acted like a foal short periods of time. How often do foals, jump and run around the pasture?
Thank you so much for the advice and anything you can tell me will be appreciated. His breed is most likely Arabian however it does appear his growth has been stunted. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 21852
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Nov 27, 2008 - 8:49 am: | |
What is LMF developer and what is FORCO?
I am afraid there is no "typical" pattern just an average that contains so much variation that it is impossible to peg a normal. However you should look for continued increase in energy level until body condition and hematocrit return to near normal.
DrO |
