Early foal nutrition, from birth to 3 months, is the time when nutrient demands for growth are the highest.

Young foals should be monitored closely for signs of D.O.D., such as physitis and acquired contracted tendons. The faster adjustments can be made in the foal's diet, the more likely the nutrition-related D.O.D. problems can be reversed.

Here are some guidelines:

• All foals should have access to Buckeye Foal Starter from birth and should eat approximately one lb./ day per 100 lb. body weight. The amount consumed by each foal is directly related to quantity of milk produced by the mare.

• If the foals are not consuming this amount by 2 weeks of age, begin using Foal-Aide. This mineral and vitamin product is given once a day to increase mineral density in the diet. This should be continued until the foal is consuming the recommended amount of Foal Starter.

• Faster growing foals will require more minerals per day, therefore, growth monitoring is essential, Growth charts are available, upon request, to record each foals growth rate for accurate feeding levels.