Growth Risks of the Young Developing Foal
It is important that the growing foal has a consistent diet without a lot of variation of grain and forage quality and amount fed. Making sure the growing horse has a smooth curve of growth gives greater bone strength. It is better for the young horse to have a moderate growth rate then a fast growth rate since this will reduce their incidence to bone problems (Developmental Orthopedic Disease).
Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD) = bent and twisted legs, epiphysitis, contracted tendons, wobblers, hocks swellings, club feet, fractured sesamoids and collapsed hocks (OCD) osteochondrosis .
Both excesses and deficiencies of nutrients during the first 12 months of activity can cause abnormalities in bone growth. High energy (28% over recommended levels) and combined high energy-high protein (30% higher than recommended levels) diets have both been shown to cause growth disturbances, cartilage damage and a reduction in the calcium and phosphorus deposited in bone, i.e. reduced mineralization.
Large irregular meals produce wide fluctuations in the levels of hormones that control bone growth. Excessive phosphorus, an unbalanced calcium to phosphorus ration, copper deficiency, sudden growth spurts, rapid growth, trauma and genetics have all been identified as risk factors for DOD.
Reducing the risk of bone diseases in young foals...
Management strategies to minimize risks include:
- Controlling the energy, protein, mineral and trace elements in the diet; increasing the number and decreasing the size of feed and providing constant access to pasture or hay.
- Ensuring an even growth curve that avoid periods of rapid catch up growth and growth spurts.
Body or condition-scoring of foals enables regular monitoring.
- Avoid excess calcium which can disturb cartilage maturation and interfere with absorption of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc and copper.
- Encouraging exercise, which can have a protective effect.
Regular monitoring of weight, growth rate and height – using scales and /or condition scoring – are sound management practices.
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