In general, FORAGE FIRST programs are based around good-quality forage as the major component, since horses are grazing animals with digestive tracts that are designed to process forages, but are not as efficient at processing cereal grains. FORAGE FIRST programs are also designed to give horse owners many choices in order to customize rations for each individual horse. Here are some suggestions for feeding your mares and foals the FORAGE FIRST way.

Feeding Lactating Mares
During the first day or two after foaling, mares should be fed small frequent meals and monitored for any medical conditions. For lactating mare rations, good-quality mixed hay and/or pasture offered free-choice is the best place to start. Be sure to feed each horse as an individual and monitor and adjust according to the mare’s and foal’s conditions. See feeding options below.

1,100 lb Mare, 1 Month Lactation

• 25-35 lb Grass or mixed alfalfa/grass hay or pasture free-choice

• 2-6 lb GROSTRONG^® 13%, Patriot^®, or Tindle Trails 14% Pellets or Texturized or SENIORGLO^® or POWERGLO^®

• 3 oz GROSTRONG Minerals

• 1-4 lb NATURAL GLO^®* meal or Nuggets or MOORGLO^®

Feeding Nursing Foals
The foal should be offered some creep feed (formulated for nursing foals, see formulas below) to nibble on by the time it is 1-2 weeks old. At 2 months of age, the foal’s protein and energy needs are no longer met by the milk alone. The object of feeding the foal is to provide steady continuous growth and no drastic changes from birth through 1 year of age. Foals should be eating concentrate well by 2 months (about 1 lb per 100 lb body weight). Then at weaning (4-5 months), they are eating so well that they suffer no drastic change in nutrient intake with the loss of milk.

Creep Feeds for Nursing Foals
See feeding suggestions below. In any situation where there is a genetic predisposition towards Developmental Orthopedic Diseases (DOD), grain starches should be limited.
For help with low-starch rations, call toll free EQUINE NUTRITION HELPLINE 1-800-680-8254...7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time

1,100 lb Mature Weight, Nursing Foal Feed Program

• Free-choice Grass or mixed alfalfa/grass hay and mare’s milk

• 0.5-1 lb/100 lb BW Creep feed

• 1 oz GROSTRONG Minerals or Hi-Phos Minerals

Foal Creep Feed Formulas

With GRASS FORAGE:

• 1 part ShowBoost^®

• 3-4 parts 12-16% protein feed, SENIORGLO, POWERGLO, GROSTRONG Pellets, Patriot, or Tindle Trails

With ALFALFA FORAGE:

• 1 part NATURAL GLO meal or Nuggets or MOORGLO

• 3-4 parts 14-16% protein feed, SENIORGLO, Patriot, or Tindle Trails feed ®

For More Information e-mail at AN_EquineHelp@admworld.com

or call toll free
EQUINE NUTRITION HELPLINE
1-800-680-8254
7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time

ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. 1000 North 30th Street P.O. Box C1 Quincy, IL USA 62305-3155