YOUNGSTERS.
BABY STEPS THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF A FOAL’S LIFE ARE PRECIOUS AND LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A HEALTHY PROGRESSION TO ADULTHOOD. HELEN TRIGGS TALKS TO BREEDERS FOR THEIR TIPS ON HOW TO GIVE
W
FOALS AND YOUNGSTERS THE BEST START.
hether you have twenty foals or just one, the guidelines are still the same. Correct feeding, access to pasture for forage and exercise and socialisation are crucial. It’s important that the mare is kept in good condition as that can affect the composition of the mare’s milk and in turn the growth rate of the foal. It is a careful balance and mares fed a diet too high in fat can cause excessive growth in the foals which impacts on bone maturity. Getting the foal to suckle straightaway is important as the colostrum which contains antibodies is within the fi rst milk. he danger is that a mare who has been dripping milk for a while before foaling may have lower levels of colostrum. A blood test on the foal can check the antibody levels and a plasma transfer can be given. At Hawtins Stud and UK Hanoverians, vets will check the newborn foals and the farrier will be involved if there are any concerns about the feet or straightness of the legs. he foal
may need to wear splints or cuffs or the foal’s feet may need attention. It needs to be a conversation between the breeder, vet and the farrier to determine the best way forward. Unfortunately mares are often foaling in inclement weather. Judith Davis of Hawtins Stud says “if I could wave a magic wand I’d have all my foals born in arch. he best thing for foals is to be out in the field. “We’ll turn the mare and foal out as soon as possible, depending on the time of night they foaled, the weather and the temperament of the mare. We have tiny turnout paddocks close to the foaling barn and they will go there for a couple of days to give the foal time to strengthen. he foals will start to pick at the mare’s feed and haylage uite uickly. “ hey’ll nibble grass but are really ust e ploring, says udith. “ he mares are fed a good uality stud balancer and stud cubes if they need a bit extra. Nearer to weaning we start ABOVE: CLAIRE RANDALL’S CLARA, WHO WAS BOARDED AT STUD UNTIL SHE WAS THREE.
BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 3 2022 // 33
