How to properly feed a foal?
How to properly feed a foal?
Since the foal usually has not been introduced yet to the constant training, its feeding necessities are just based on its growth needs and not on the exercise.
First of all the foal, usually beginning its weaning more or less six month after its birth, will start naturally to eat the same feed as the mare, due to the emulation behavior. The foal main feed is naturally the hay, which is nowadays few nourishing, therefore it is better to integrate the foal’s nutrition with other feeds. The feeds must be always high quality guaranteed to get the horse a constant nutrients source essential to its healthy development.
In a balanced diet it must ever been provided to the foal fresh and clean water, necessary to maintain the animal hydrated when it is no more assured by the lactation. Another great habits to a healthy growth is exercise, which has to be possibly daily, to gradually strengthen the motor apparatus and assure a the healthy development. A big factor, which is often underestimated is foal’s mental health and wellbeing. This must be day by day evaluated to detect if the animal feel uncomfortable and if its behaviors and physical appearance show some stress condition, which can strongly interact on the foal nutrition and so health.
Most important is not to malnourish the animal, since this can cause growth diseases but also not to overfeed it, since an excessive weight can threaten weak joints. A balanced and rich diet is fundamental to assure the foal all nutrients for its growth.
To provide your animal a balanced diet, Wafer Fioc is the great choice! Its high quality formulation concentrates in the handy cubes format, long fiber hay, alfalfa and selected flaked cereals. It provides all the energy and proteins necessary for the foal development, to grow strong and healthy!