Foals

Optim-Equine-Feed-formulation-and-broodmares

Coco Pops, Feeding Broodmares and Skeletal Development…What’s the Link?

Mares and Reproductive Health, Foals, General Nutrition, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Yearlings / By / July 21, 2022

When it comes to feeding our broodmares, we are inundated with choices in terms of commercial feed mixes and concentrates. It’s common for our feed selections to be largely influenced by those marketed as ‘scientifically formulated’ or containing ‘essential nutrients’ for broodmares and healthy foetal development. Whilst we know that sufficient quantities and ratios of …

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Timing Vaccinations in Young Horses

Pharmaceutical Medications, Foals, General Health/Other, Immune Health, Yearlings / By / April 12, 2022

As we move into weaning season in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s an opportune time to give thought to the timing of routine vaccinations we give to our horses. Vaccinations for Tetanus, Strangles, Equine Herpes Virus and Hendra Virus are commonly given to horses younger than 12 months of age. From a practical perspective, many vaccinations …

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Selenium- Is your horse actually using the amount on the feed or supplement label?

Selenium- Is your horse actually using the amount on the feed or supplement label?

Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements, Foals, General Nutrition, Immune Health, Mares and Reproductive Health, Metabolic Health, Musculoskeletal Health, Performance Horses, Racehorses, Stallion Fertility & Libido, Yearlings / By / March 24, 2022

Selenium is a crucial trace-mineral in the diets of our horses and ponies. It plays many key roles in the body and is particularly important in reproductive health (both mares and stallions), recovery from exercise, healthy immune function, normal growth and development of young horses and healthy thyroid function. Selenium is a nutrient which has …

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Iodine & Horses

Mares and Reproductive Health, Foals, General Nutrition, Immune Health, Metabolic Health, Performance Horses, Racehorses, Stallion Fertility & Libido, Therapeutic Nutrition/Nutritional Supplements / By / September 24, 2021

Iodine. It’s an essential trace mineral in our horse’s diets which plays many crucial roles. It is vital as a constituent of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism, hence its crucial role in not only metabolic rate and body …

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Foals & Colostrum

Foals, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Immune Health, Mares and Reproductive Health / By / August 21, 2021

With foaling season now upon us in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the importance of good quality colostrum. Colostrum provides antibodies (immunoglobulins), which are concentrated in a mare’s milk during the 10-14 days prior to foaling. These immunoglobulins are essential in helping to provide immunity against common diseases in a …

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Foal Heat Scours and Diarrhoea

Foals, Gastrointestinal (Gut) Health, Mares and Reproductive Health / By / August 21, 2021

‘Foaling Heat Scours’ is one of the most common types of scours to affect foals. Yet the name is a bit of a misnomer, and often leads to confusion as to the actual cause of this form of diarrhoea. This yellowish, greenish, watery scour generally occurs in foals around 7-14 days of age, hence often …

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Osteochondrosis and Osteochondritis Dissecans: Reducing the Risk

Foals, Musculoskeletal Health, Yearlings / By / August 21, 2021

Osteochondrosis (OC) and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) are two of the most common juvenile osteochondral conditions (JOCC). OC is a disease that causes lesions in the cartilage and bone of growing horses’ joints. It is a result of cartilage failing to properly turn into bone. OCD occurs as a progression of the OC: resulting in the …

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