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Nutrition of the Weanling Foal: From Weaning to Twelve Months

Nutrition of the Weanling Foal: From Weaning to Twelve Months

Abigail Malone, BSc

 

 

In the last issue of the JEN, we covered broodmare nutrition so now we will review the nutritional requirements of growing foals. For the first six months or so of the foal’s life its diet predominantly consists of the mare’s milk, with small amounts of grass, forage and concentrate feeds also being consumed. As the foal nears the time to be weaned from its dam the proportion of milk in the diet reduces whilst the amount of other foods increase, meaning there needs to be consideration of what feedstuff to offer and how best to allow the foal to develop into a strong yearling, regardless of what their future lifestyle maybe.

 

Figure 1. Weaning can be a stressful time for both foal and mare. Where possible wean foals in pairs or small groups to allow them to develop bonds with others which helps to reduce stress. 

 

A weanling is a horse that no longer relies and suckles on their mother’s milk. Weaning usually occurs when the foal is between four and six months old, although when the foal is weaned will depend on a number of factors which could be related to the foal or its dam. If the foal is growing too fast, gaining too much body fat, showing any signs of developmental orthopaedic diseases (DOD) or other conformation defects, then weaning may take place sooner so the nutrients the foal receives can be controlled (Becvarova & Buechner-Maxwell, 2012). Weaning may also take place early if the dam is unable to supply enough quality milk or if she is losing condition. Weaning can be an incredibly stressful time for both mare and foal as ultimately the mare and foal are separated, and the foal mixed with a group of young horses (Figure 1). Creep-feeding your weanling is a good idea to gradually introduce them to hard feed if the dam has not been receiving any, as this will help to reduce stress at weaning  time  and  ensure  they  begin  receiving  a balanced ration.


As most weaning takes place when the foal is six months old, we will explore the foal’s nutritional requirements starting from six months of age. A balanced, nutritional ration is extremely important for the weanling as they are at a vital stage of growth, and how well they are able to grow at this stage will influence their future athletic potential, with insufficient nutrients having the potential to cause health problems later in life (Staniar, 2013). A weanling will eat less than a yearling in volume, but still requires certain nutrients so a nutrient concentrated diet is ideal.


ENERGY
The energy requirements of the weanling are partitioned into energy for maintenance (normal body functions and activity) and energy for growth (Frape, 2010). As growth rate is greatest at this age the weanling requires considerable energy for its body size, evident by comparing the daily 70Mj of digestible energy (DE) required by a 500kg horse at maintenance, to the 65Mj DE required by a 6-month-old weanling weighing an estimated 216kg (NRC, 2007). As shown in Table 1, the DE requirements of the foal increase as it gets older due to the increase in body mass. The estimated daily weight gain at six months old is 0.72kg per day, at nine months it is 0.57kg per day and 0.45kg per day at twelve months old (NRC, 2007). This shows that although growth rate slows down over the months, the weanling still requires increased energy for maintenance and development due to their increased body size. As youngsters mature and development slows down, the amount of energy required for development reduces, aligning their overall energy requirement to that of adult horses once they mature. 


The weanling’s energy requirements will also vary depending on their date of birth, climate, condition and individual metabolism (Staniar, 2013). Foals born in early spring tend to have a heavier birth weight than those born later in the foaling season. As all foals tend to be weaned at similar times, those born earlier are older at weaning and so generally have greater energy requirements. Colder conditions will increase the energy demand of the weanling, however this may decrease over time as they acclimatise to the low temperatures (Autio et al., 2008). Whilst some breeds are considered easy keepers, such as drafts and native pony types, others such as Thoroughbreds are classed as hard keepers and therefore can have slightly higher energy requirements which should be factored into their feeding rations (Ralston, 2021). Whilst the foal is still suckling, the mare’s milk will provide almost all of the required energy, and as the foal gets older forage will become an increasing part of their diet and concentrate feed may also be introduced to the weanling. Weanlings who are energy deficient will have a reduced growth rate and reduce their chances of reaching their potential. 

 

Table 1. Daily nutrient requirements for the weanling at six, nine and 12 months old with a predicted mature weight of 500kg.

 

However, many weanlings are able to compensate after a short period of restricted energy supply, during the winter months for example, which should not affect their growth long term (Saastamoinen, 1996). Whilst meeting requirements is key, care should be taken not to excessively exceed the weanling’s energy requirement as this may increase excitability and the risk of the foal developing DOD and other skeletal abnormalities due to periods of rapid growth (Thompson et al., 1988). Overfeeding and thus providing the weanling with too much energy will induce rapid growth and puts excessive stress on the joints causing them to grow abnormally (Frape, 2010). These abnormalities can be seen from feeding as little as a third more energy than the weanling requires (Becvarova & Buechner-Maxwell, 2012), however once the correct energy supply is provided you must then consider other nutrient needs to continue supporting optimum growth.


PROTEIN
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are classed as essential amino acids that must be obtained from the horse’s diet, and non-essential amino acids that the horse is able to create internally (Frape, 2010). Protein is required to form structural molecules such as collagen and can also be found in cell membranes, enzymes, antibodies, and hormones, making them vital for the body to function, grow and repair. The only essential amino acid for which a daily requirement has been calculated for horses is Lysine, and we can see from Table 1 that the crude protein (CP) and Lysine requirements increase as the weanling grows. Lysine is also the first limiting amino acid which means even if the horse is receiving more CP in their diet than needed, they can still be deficient in protein if insufficient Lysine is provided. This is particularly key for the weanling as it may hinder their growth and development (Saastamoinen, 1996). Exceeding protein requirements is unlikely to have any detrimental effect, yet limiting it can result in reduced body weight, height, and cannon bone circumference in weanlings under twelve months old (Savage et al., 1993). Like DE, the CP requirements for a six-month-old weanling are greater than those of a 500kg adult horse at maintenance, being 676g compared to 630g per day, respectively. These requirements highlight the need for quality forage and feed to be provided at this vital growth phase. Supplemental feed should contain at least 16% crude protein with 0.7% Lysine (Becvarova & Buechner-Maxwell, 2012). In one study, 12 weanling foals were given 70, 100 or 130% of their energy and protein requirements as indicated by the National Research Council. Even though they were also provided with 100% of their Calcium and Phosphorus requirements, both over and underfeeding of energy and protein negatively affected their growth plate cartilage, which could influence their future development and ability to undertake an active lifestyle (NRC, 1978).


VITAMINS AND MINERALS
From six to twelve months old most of the weanling’s macro mineral, trace element and vitamin requirements increase between 23% and 33% (Table 1), with the exception of Calcium which stays relatively the same and Phosphorus which does not change at all (NRC, 2007). Minerals are vital as they ensure growth and development of skeletal and muscle structures. Calcium and Phosphorus are considered together and are both incredibly important for the weanling as they are used for bone development and muscle function. A deficiency of either or both of these minerals (or an imbalance in the ratio of Calcium to Phosphorus which should be 2:1) can negatively affect bone and cartilage formation (Frape, 2010, Stainar, 2013). A high grain diet may be high in Phosphorus and lead to a negative imbalance and induce a Calcium deficiency (Hintz, 1996), whereas weanlings on a forage-only diet may be deficient in Phosphorus (Stainar, 2013). It has also been shown that a diet deficient in Copper can lead to skeletal problems due to poor collagen quality, osteochondrosis lesions and weakened cartilage (Hintz, 1996). In order to maintain Copper metabolism, Zinc must be supplied in the appropriate ratio of 1 part Copper to 3.2 parts Zinc, otherwise it may inhibit absorption (Hintz,1996; Staniar, 2013). Manganese is used for the formation of Chondroitin sulphate, which is integral for healthy cartilage, and so must  not  be  overlooked  for  the  vital  growth  phase  of the weanling (Stainar, 2013).


Vitamins must also be considered key to the diet. Fresh forage is high in Vitamin A and deficiencies are rare however cut forage will begin to lose its vitamin content over time (Stainar, 2013). Over supplementation of Vitamin A can have negative effects such as hyperextension of various joints and ataxia (lack of muscle control and coordinated movement), whilst a deficiency will hinder immune and reproductive function (Stainar, 2013). A weanling is only probably prone to a Vitamin D deficiency if they do not have access to fresh forage and are kept inside out of daylight which is not the case for most foals. A Vitamin D deficiency can however decrease the quality of skeletal development (Stainar, 2013). Vitamin E is required for immune function and deficiency may result in the degenerative condition Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (EDM), although  this  is  only  likely  if  the  horse  does  not  have access to pasture. 


A high forage diet is required for normal gastrointestinal tract function and health as well as to support the natural behaviours of the weanling. Providing a forage-only diet, if good quality, will likely meet the weanling’s energy and protein requirements. However, a preserved forage-only diet is expected to be deficient in all of the necessary vitamins and minerals, and supplementation will be required, whether this is in the form of a feed or supplement. Deficiencies  in  Calcium,  Phosphorus,  Zinc and/or Copper may also worsen the effects of exceeding the weanling’s  energy  requirements  (Becvarova  &  Buechner-Maxwell, 2012). 


SUMMARY
Growth is not only affected by the diet but also by genetics and the weanling’s environment. Body weight alone is not an ideal indicator of the effect of nutrition on the weanling, whereas analysing wither height and other skeletal developments are likely to be more useful (Staniar, 2013). Body condition scoring has a place to ensure youngsters do not become overweight, however, it should not be used in isolation due to this being a rapid growth phase and short-term fluctuations in growth to be expected.


Good quality forage (hay/haylage and grazing) along with a youngstock feed or the addition of a vitamin and mineral supplement containing quality protein, should be more than adequate to keep your weanling in good condition and set them up for their future careers. Weanlings on spring and summer grazing will need far less supplementary feed for calories than those consuming hay or haylage in the autumn and winter periods, but care must be taken to ensure they are still receiving their vitamins and minerals. Sending off forage and pasture for analysis will allow you to determine what nutrients your weanling will need to be supplemented with. Both under and over feeding can negatively affect bone development and neurological function (Becvarova & Buechner-Maxwell, 2012). The aim is to maintain a consistent growth pattern and therefore neither exceeding or failing to meet nutritional requirements is what owners should aim to achieve. Weanlings should also be considered as individuals; have their diets tailored to their own needs, and adjustments made when appropriate.
 

 

REFERENCES
Autio, E., Sihto, U., Mononen, J., & Heiskanen, M.L. (2008). Energy intake and growth of weanling horses in a cold loose housing system. Agricultural and Food Science,  17: 338-350.
Becvarova, I., & Buechner-Maxwell, V. (2012). Feeding the foal for immediate and long-term health. Equine Veterinary Journal,  44(41): 149-156.
Frape, D. (2010). Equine Nutrition and Feeding, 4th Ed. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK.
Hintz, H.F.(1996). Mineral requirements of growing horses. Pferdeheilkunde,. 12(3): 303-306.
NRC (1978). Nutrients Requirements of Domestic Animals, 6th Ed. The National Academies Press, Washington, USA. 
NRC (2007). Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6th Ed. The National Academies Press, Washington, USA.
Ralston, S.L. (2021). Nutritional requirements of horses and other equids. Published on the Internet: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-horses/nutritional-requirements-of-horses-and-other-equids. [Accessed 17 August 2021]
Savage, C.J., MCCarthy, R.N., & Jeffcott, L.B. (1993). Effect of dietary energy and protein on induction of dyschondroplasia in foals. Equine Veterinary Journal, 16: 74-79. 
Stainer, W.B. (2013). Feeding the growing horse. In: Geor, R.J., Harris, P.A., & Coenen, M. (eds) Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. Elsevier Ltd, UK.  
Saastamoninen, M. (1996). Protein, amino acids and energy requirements of weanling foals and yearlings. Pferdeheilkunde, 12(3): 297-302.
Thompson, K.N., Jackson, S.G., & Rooney, J.R. (1988).  The  effect  of  above  average  weight  gains  on  the  incidence  of  radiographic  bone  aberrations  and  epiphysitis  in  growing  horses.  Equine  Veterinary Science, 8: 383-385.