Why good nutritional support for foals is important from the very beginning
The first stage of life is a critical period for growth and development, during which good nutritional support for foals is of great importance. Inadequate support can lead to an increased risk of diseases and various disorders, and even lasting problems later in life. Therefore, it is important to ensure your foal receives all the necessary nutrients to develop healthy bones, muscles, joints, and a strong immune system.
Start even before birth
You can support your foal even before birth by providing the mare with nutritional supplements. By offering your pregnant mare a balanced mix of essential vitamins and minerals, her general health is supported. This can help her handle the extra strain that pregnancy brings and keep her in optimal condition for a successful pregnancy.
The nutrients the mare receives also play a crucial role in the development of the unborn foal. But which nutrients are crucial for a pregnant mare? By giving your mare a mineral supplement such as Mineron, she receives all the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development of the foal:
- Glucosamine & chondroitin: support the joints and the production of healthy cartilage
- Calcium: essential for bone development and a healthy skeleton
- Vitamin D: improves calcium absorption, which is essential for bone development
- Collagen: promotes bone density and keeps cartilage supple
- Copper, zinc & manganese: support optimal nervous system function and muscle function
Beta-glucans for a strong start
The first milk produced by the mare is called colostrum. It is a highly nutritious and rich milk designed to provide the newborn foal with all the essential nutrients and antibodies for a healthy start in life. By giving your mare a course of Immunotop, the quality of her colostrum will improve as the amount of immune cells increases, giving your foal better immunity. But what exactly are those immune cells?
Immunity refers to a horse's ability to defend itself against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. On one hand, there is innate immunity, which includes physical barriers like the skin and mucous membranes. This generally does not offer long-term protection. On the other hand, there is adaptive immunity. This more specialized form only develops after exposure to specific pathogens. It involves the production of immune cells and antibodies that provide long-term protection against reinfection by the same pathogen.
Immunotop has been enriched with Beta-glucans to stimulate the production of these immune cells. They are a group of complex carbohydrates that have the ability to regulate and stimulate the immune system. When added to the mare's diet, they can increase the production of immune cells, resulting in a higher concentration of immune factors in the colostrum and, therefore, better immunity and protection for the young foal.
Extra support during the first months
During the first months of life, your foal undergoes a period of rapid growth and development. During this time, there is an increased need for nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals to develop healthy bones, muscles, joints, and organs.
How can you meet this increased need for your young horse? Vital+ is recommended by veterinarians for this purpose and ensures it receives all the essential nutrients it needs for optimal growth and development:
- Lysine & methionine: play a vital role during growth
- Calcium, phosphorus & magnesium: essential for proper bone development, which is of critical importance to reduce the risk of OCDs
- Vitamins B, C & E: improve resistance and vitality
- Copper: an essential building block for the production and repair of bone and cartilage
- Biotin: improves the quality of the coat and hooves
Conclusion
From the very beginning, providing good nutritional support for foals is vitally important for healthy development. Start even before birth by supporting the mare with a course of Immunotop and Mineron. By supplementing your mare and foal with Vital+, which is rich in essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals after birth, you can ensure your foal gets the best possible start in life.
