Posted: 16th June 2020 | Back to news feed
It is essential that foals and young stock are given the best possible chance to develop a healthy respiratory and digestive system. This in turn will prove beneficial to the rest of the foal’s quickly developing body.
Foals meet most of their nutritional requirements during their first two months of life from mare’s milk, but it is common for most foals to begin to nibble at the dam’s hay and feed within a few days or weeks of life. By nibbling on concentrate and forages, foals gradually become introduced to different feedstuffs, which allows their digestive tract time to adapt.
While most owners will undoubtedly provide high-quality pasture and hay, there are many that do not realise that even the best quality hay contains, dust, spores, fungi and bacteria, all of which are naturally occurring but all of which can possibly have a detrimental effect on the young foal’s delicate respiratory and digestive system.
Dressage breeder, Claire Hester, whose foundation mare is Weidyfleur the full sister to Valegro, advocates the use of providing hay steamed with a Haygain steamer for all her youngstock. Claire comments:
“By steaming hay in a Haygain steamer I ensure that both mares and foals have a constant source of clean, palatable hay. I want my foals to have the best start in life and by them experiencing clean, dust and bacteria free hay I know that their developing lungs and digestive system are being cared for.”
As many breeders know weaning time can be a significant stressor. During this period, it is common for weanlings to often lose their appetite and if a foal suffers with prolonged inappetence it is at risk of developing gastric ulcers. Continuing to offer the highly palatable Haygain steamed forage should encourage the foal to eat and will also aid with hydration keeping the young digestive system working.
Ideally, foals should grow at a steady pace, avoiding spurts and lapses so free access to nutritious, steamed hay should be a priority.
Haygain is the only scientifically proven way to purify hay and eliminate 99% of the dust particles, mould, fungi and bacteria that can cause irreversible damage to your horse’s respiratory and digestive health.
Haygain steamers are easy to use and with a variety of sizes can suit the small breeder or larger studs.
To find out more about the health benefits for your equine breeding stock call the Haygain customer service department on 01488 854005.
Haygain Hay Steamers start from £725.00
Find out more at www.haygain.co.uk
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