[Influence of the amount of concentrate feeding on concentrate intake and development of body weight and growth parameters of suckling foals from birth until the 6th month of life].

The research examines the impact of varying energy supply quantities on the development of Warmblood foals, specifically considering guidelines set by the German Society for Nutrition Physiology. The investigators administered differing amounts of concentrates to two groups of foals from their first to sixth month, with the energy contents set to either meet or exceed the advised amounts by about 20%. Despite the variations in energy intake, no significant differences emerged in the recorded growth parameters, suggesting that foals’ energy requirements could be 10-20% lower than current recommendations.

Study Design and Procedure

• The research was conducted on two groups of suckling foals: one labeled group “Norm” (n=15), the other labeled group “Zulage” (n=16).
• Both groups were given different quantities of concentrated feed from their birth until their 6th month. The amount was calculated taking energy content into account to align with or go beyond by approximately 20% the recommendations of the German Society for Nutrition Physiology.
• The “Norm” group was given a total energy consumption target of 73 MJ DE/animal/day while the “Zulage” group had a target of 87 MJ DE/animal/day.
• Both groups were given the same quantity of foal starter feed, but varying amounts of oats.
• The same amount of foal starter feed with different quantities of oats were provided to the animals twice a day. The “Norm” group received less oats compared to the “Zulage” group.
• Their diet also included a late first cut of haylage and time spent grazing in a pasture.

Data Collection and Results

• The researchers measured individual concentrate intake, body weight, body condition score, and several other growth parameters.
• The total amount of consumed haylage was also documented.
• Interestingly, there was no significant difference between both groups in any recorded parameter.
• The entire allocated concentrate amount was consumed for the first time when the foals were around 180 days old.

Conclusions

• The study concludes that the energy requirements of foals might be approximately 10-20% lower than what is currently recommended by the German Society for Nutrition Physiology. This implies that current feeding guidelines could potentially overestimate the energy needs of Warmblood foals.