Young horses change and grow quickly. Providing a proper diet, with the proper timing, is imperative for a healthy growth rate in Thoroughbred foals. It’s a matter of finding the right balance: enough energy (but not too much), the right micronutrient balance, and feeding it all at the right time for their specific stage of growth. Getting it right can help to stave off developmental issues, and even pay dividends in the sales ring and on the track.
The Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance (ITA) partnered with Kentucky Equine Research to provide a free webinar for Thoroughbred breeders and owners on how to feed foals and weanlings for proper skeletal development.
The webinar was held live on ITA and Kentucky Equine Research’s Facebook pages on Wednesday, April 13 at 7 pm EDT. Dr. Clarissa Brown-Douglas, a nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research in Australia, discussed young horse nutrition with a focus on skeletal development. Viewers learned about equine growth rates, bone development, and the importance of feeding the proper type and amount based on age and stage of growth. Dr. Brown-Douglas also discussed the impact of skeletal disease on growth and performance.
“Ensuring that you’re feeding Thoroughbred foals the right diet can be so nerve-wracking for breeders and farm owners,” says Tony Wolfe, DVM, president of the ITA. “We’re excited to be able to provide this free educational opportunity for all breeders in conjunction with Kentucky Equine Research.”
The webinar is archived on the ITA YouTube Channel.
Dr. Brown-Douglas’s research materials can be downloaded for viewing as well. Download here.
