Raising horses takes place over several years and in most cases the forage that forms the base of the diet will change from pasture in summer to hay in winter. This transition has many nutritional consequences, for example, pasture is considerably higher in certain nutrients.
Typically, the amount of pasture eaten per day depends on its quality and length of time the horse has access to it. Sometimes, pasture can meet protein and energy requirements, and in some cases exceeding the horse's requirements, thus causing them to become obese.
It is important to recognize that pasture cannot supply all nutrients required for growth. Young horses and ponies grow fast, and supplying nutrients in the correct balance is the key to sound bone development. Bone formation is regulated by hormones and is dependent of the availability of proper building material (energy, minerals and amino acids). If one of the building blocks is missing or imbalanced, bone cannot form properly.
Tips for optimal nutrition for breeding and growing horses:
Gro 'n Win® provides a balanced supply of all three building blocks that encourages strong and proper bone development. Utilizing Optimin™ bioavailable vitamins and minerals makes it easier for growing horses to utilize the nutrients, maximizing health and solid growth.
Nutritional tips for your late gestation mare:
Early lactation, foaling to 3 months, is the greatest period of nutritional stress on the broodmare. Due to this, her nutritional requirements increase almost 75% above maintenance. At this time, the quantity and quality of the mare's milk is at its peak, and she will on average produce 3 to 3.5% of her body weight, 33 to 38.5 lbs, in milk each day. Listed below are a few nutritional tips that will help your mare as she transitions through early lactation.
The safest feeding program for growing horses is a moderate-to-low starch and sugar diet. The best low starch and sugar feeding program is good quality forage and Gro 'n Win® . Issues that are of concern to growing horses are Developmental Orthopedic Diseases (Osteochondritis Dissecans, Epiphysitis, Flexural Limb Deformities, Degenerative Joint Disease, etc), Laminitis, Obesity and Colic.
Gro 'n Win® is the best formulation for growth and development. Gro 'n Win® is a safe, low-starch and sugar, low-glycemic formula that will provide the essential nutrients not adequately supplied in forage-based diets. The high antioxidant content is proven to support your horse's immune system, while the high quality amino acids provide the essential building blocks necessary to support growth and development in your breeding and growing horses. Gro 'n Win® is also fortified with increased levels of biotin to support your horse's hoof health and integrity.
