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| Author |
Message |
    
Jo Wightman
Member
Username: Lexi
Post Number: 15
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Sep 8, 2005 - 4:40 pm: |   |
I am considering breeding from my mare but her last foal was diagnosed with Wobbler Syndrome (Cervical Stenotic Myleopathy) at 3 years old. He was a big foal who grew well but I wondered whether his condition could have been caused or worsened by his daily feed (weaning to 2yrs)of a bucket of Alfa-A (alfalfa chop)and Alfabeet (alfalfa and beet pulp 50:50) as these feeds are both high in Calcium (1.47:0.24 and 0.7:0.1 respectively)- he also had access to grass and hay. Having read the articles I will always use a feed balancer in the future! |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 13675
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Sep 9, 2005 - 7:10 am: | |
Hello Jo,
I question the calcium figures you are given for the Alfabeet. If it truly is a 50/50 mixture the calcium would be even higher than you state as beet pulp has as much and maybe more calcium than alfalfa.
Yes mineral imbalance is a distinct possibility but you should also watch too much energy resulting in rapid growth. We strongly suggest a limited amount of alfalfa in the diet of growing foals. See feed recommedations at Care for Horses » Nutrition » Feeding the Growing Foal, Nutrition for Young Horses.
DrO |
