Aspectos nutrionais e alimentares de potros: da gestação da égua ao crescimento do potro

Abstract

Foals need adequate energy intake and nutrient balance to meet their nutritional needs, allowing the expression of genetic potential and development of the immune system properly. The correct nutritional development of the animals also begins with the nutrition of the breeding mare, especially in the final third of gestation, so a good diet is necessary, with the use of higher quality foods to meet such needs, such as good quality grains and hays, and increase the protein content in the diet. The foal's nutrition at birth is affected by the mare's feeding, as well as by the physiological efficiency of the uterine environment. The main food for suckling foals is the milk produced by the mother, healthy foals begin to suckle one to two hours after birth, where at this stage the nutritional needs will be met through breastfeeding, and the animal's growth rate in this period will be the reflection of the quantity and quality of your mother's milk. After weaning, it is important that the foal has a differentiated diet exclusively for this phase, as its growth rate is initially very high. During this phase, the bulky portion of the diet is higher. Foals should be on good quality pastures, and they can also receive alfalfa hay between 1 and 1.5% of live weight. Energy is provided in the form of forages, concentrates and grains, however, it is necessary to maximize consumption of high quality forage. From 12 months of age onwards, the animals are able to make greater use and absorption of nutrients from the roughage in the diet, as the fermentation chamber or cecum is greater than that of weaned animals. The growth of foals is a result of the energy, protein, mineral and vitamin supply provided by the diet, which can be composed of forage in the form of pastures or hays and concentrates in which it should not exceed 50% of the total diet, thus avoiding metabolic problems at the same time same time animal.