Growing Horses

Question 1

What are the main considerations for growing horses?

Answer 1

Maintenance and growth

Question 2

We strive for what kind of growth and why?

Answer 2

Consistent
Rapid growth does not increase mature size
Deficient nutrient intake can decrease mature size

Question 3

What things are higher needs during growth?

Answer 3

DE, CP, Ca, P, Zn, and Cu

Question 4

What 2 things should always be provided to growing horses?

Answer 4

Water and salt block

Question 5

Why are there different growth curves for horses?

Answer 5

Different goals for young horses
Dressage- started at 4
Racing- by 2
Stock breeds- fitting weanlings and yearlings

Size and condition
Health
Skeletal soundness
Athletic potential

Question 6

Horses reach mature weight around what age?

Answer 6

24-60 mo.

Question 7

Horses reach mature height at what age?

Answer 7

12-60 mo.

Question 8

High rate of gain= what?

Answer 8

Increased fat deposition

Question 9

High energy/low protein diets = what?

Answer 9

Higher fat deposition and lower muscle

Question 10

Training = what?

Answer 10

Lower fat

Question 11

Rate of gain can be easily influenced by what?

Answer 11

Diet

Question 12

What is the primary growth variable influenced by the diet? What is hard to influence?

Answer 12

Primary- ADG
Hard- skeletal gain

Question 13

CP requirements decrease or increase with age?

Answer 13

Decrease

Question 14

Total CP required decreases as what content increases?

Answer 14

AA

Question 15

Horses have a thick or thin placenta?

Answer 15

Thick

Question 16

What kind of placenta do horses have?

Answer 16

Diffuse epichordial placenta

Question 17

Antibodies from the placenta do or do not equal the foal?

Answer 17

Do not

Question 18

The neonate receives immunity how?

Answer 18

Passively

Question 19

Colostrum is available for how long? When is it essential to get?

Answer 19

There for 48 hours, want in 24 hr. First 12 is most critical

Question 20

Name a few ways to test colostrum quality?

Answer 20

IgG snap test
Colostrometer
Refractometer

Question 21

The average neonate is born at what % height and weight?

Answer 21

50-60% mature height
9-10% mature weight

Question 22

Neonate have an open gut, what does this mean?

Answer 22

Able to absorb large antibodies and proteins to give a kick start to life

Question 23

The neonate has low energy stores how do they combat this?

Answer 23

Non-shivering thermogenesis (brown fat that helps keep foal warm)
Immediate nursing critical

Question 24

Neonate intake should be what daily?

Answer 24

25-35% of weight AF daily

Question 25

The first suckle should be when postpartum?

Answer 25

1-2 hours, 10 bouts/hr

Question 26

At 0-2 months of age, what is the primary diet? And ADG?

Answer 26

Diet- mainly milk, begin trying solid food ADG- 1-1.5 kg/d

Question 27

What are the common concerns with foals 0-2 months old?

Answer 27

Not enough milk Ulcers Diarrhea

Question 28

At 2 months old at weaning, milk production meets how much of nutrients?

Answer 28

All, decreases at 3-4 months.

Question 29

When to start with foal supplemental feed?

Answer 29

2-3 months to increase ADG and decrease weaning stress

Question 30

How does milk quality change with diet?

Answer 30

Higher quality=higher quality

Question 31

What is the foal weight estimation formula?

Answer 31

Heart girth-25.1 / 0.07

Question 32

Height estimation in foals how?

Answer 32

String test

Question 33

When does most weaning occur?

Answer 33

4 mo or later

Question 34

Day before weaning needs from milk?

Answer 34

50%

Question 35

Day after weaning what to do?

Answer 35

No large feed increases, the stress causes increase in activity and decrease in ADG

Question 36

What is the concentrate rule of thumb for weanlings?

Answer 36

No more than 1 lb/d per month of age

Question 37

What to do with an orphaned foal?

Answer 37

Nurse mare Supplement Bucket feeding

Question 38

How often do orphaned foals eat?

Answer 38

5-8 x a day every 1.5 hours decrease over 2 weeks

Question 39

Always offer what with orphaned foals?

Answer 39

Water and and small creep feed and hay