Milk and water intakes of foals sucking grazing mares.
Abstract: Intakes of milk and milk nutrients were determined for 8 foals at 11-18 days of age and for 10 foals at 30-44 days and 60-74 days of age while sucking grazing mares. Water intakes (sources other than milk) of the foals were determined at 30-44 days and 60-74 days of age. Five of the 10 mares were fed a protein supplement (24% crude protein) in addition to grazing during the stud season. The protein supplement did not influence foal intakes of milk and milk nutrients, milk composition, weight gains of the mares or the growth rate of the foals. Foal milk intakes increased (P less than 0.05) from 16.9 kg/day at 11-18 days to 18.1 kg/day at 60-74 days of age. The water intakes of the foals increased (P less than 0.01) from 3.9 kg/day at 30-44 days to 5.5 kg/day at 60-74 days of age. Total fluid intakes per kg foal liveweight were 246, 202 and 172 g at 11-18, 30-44 and 60-74 days of age, respectively. For each kg of weight gain, foals consumed 12.8, 15.7 and 16.4 kg milk at 11-18, 30-44 and 60-74 days of age. Stage of lactation had a significant effect on the total solids, lactose and protein content of milk. The fat and gross energy content of milk remained constant.
Publication Date: 1992-07-01 PubMed ID: 1499538DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02839.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article examines the consumption of milk and water by foals as they grow while suckling grazing mares, and explores the impact of a protein supplement on their intake and growth. It was observed that the protein supplement had no influence on these factors, but the age and stage of lactation of the mares significantly influenced milk composition and the intakes of the foals.
Methodology and Participants
- The study focused on 8 foals at 11-18 days of age and 10 foals at two different age intervals: 30-44 days and 60-74 days.
- These foals were suckling grazing mares. Out of these mares, five were fed a protein supplement in addition to their regular grazing during the stud season.
- The intakes of milk and milk nutrients by the foals, as well as water intakes from sources other than milk, were measured at the different age stages.
Findings on Intake and Growth
- The protein supplement provided to the mares had no significant influence on foal intakes of milk and milk nutrients, milk composition, weight gains of the mares or the growth rate of the foals.
- The research showed that foal milk intakes gradually increased from 16.9 kg/day at 11-18 days to 18.1 kg/day at 60-74 days of age.
- Water intakes from sources other than milk also increased from 3.9 kg/day at 30-44 days to 5.5 kg/day at 60-74 days of age.
- Per kg of foal liveweight, total fluid intakes showed a decreasing trend with age progression: 246g at 11-18 days, 202g at 30-44 days, and 172g at 60-74 days of age.
- For each kg of weight gain in foals, the amount of milk consumed also increased with their age.
Impact of Stage of Lactation
- The stage of lactation of the mares had a significant effect on the total solids, lactose, and protein content of the milk.
- The fat and gross energy content of the milk remained constant irrespective of the stage of lactation.
Overall, the study provides an insightful look at the dynamics of fluid intake and growth among foals during their early stages of life.
Cite This Article
APA
Martin RG, McMeniman NP, Dowsett KF.
(1992).
Milk and water intakes of foals sucking grazing mares.
Equine Vet J, 24(4), 295-299.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02839.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Farm Animal Medicine and Production, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Animals, Suckling / growth & development
- Animals, Suckling / physiology
- Body Weight
- Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
- Drinking
- Eating
- Female
- Food, Fortified
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / physiology
- Lactation
- Milk / analysis
- Weight Gain
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Reiter AS, Reed SA. Lactation in horses.. Anim Front 2023 Jun;13(3):96-100.
- Barr B. Nutritional management of the foal with diarrhoea.. Equine Vet Educ 2018 Feb;30(2):100-105.
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