 Feeding the foal, the young horse and, of course, the lactating mare, is a careful balance that must be taken seriously as the interaction of genetics, management, environment and nutrition of both the foal and the mare is complex. The nutrition the foal receives initially has a profound and on-going effect on its health and soundness for the rest of its life. Of primary importance is a balanced dietary approach and the provision of essential ingredients in the feed to support the growth and health of the animal. Under normal conditions, the mare will produce enough milk (approx.15 litres per day) to provide all the necessary nutrition for the foal to develop. This, however, this is not always the case as many factors can disturb the balance. As soon as possible after birth the foal ingests colostrum (see exp.1), which is rich in antibodies (see exp.2) and important globulins (see exp.3) that resist infections and offer protection from a variety of diseases. The special cell tissue in the intestinal mucosa (see exp.4) will absorb and transmit these antibodies and immunoglobulins (see exp.5) into the blood. However, the cells in the intestinal mucosa are replaced within the first 36 hours of life. It is, therefore, vital that the foal is suckling within the first 6-8 hours of life - the time that the antibodies reach the peak level of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. It is also preferable that the foal is suckling within 2-3 hours of birth to be absolutely sure of antibody absorption. The earlier the foal suckles, the more antibodies it will receive. This is called: passive transfer. 1. Colostrum is the first milk produced by the mare. 2. Antibodies are proteins made by the body to protect itself from "foreign" substances such as bacteria or viruses. 3. Globulins are a group of specialised proteins that are synthesised within the body. 4. Mucosa is the surface lining of the intestines where the cells absorb nutrients. 5. Immunoglobulins are found in the blood and tissue fluids produced byells of the immune system that bind to substances in the body that can trigger an immune response. Causes of failure and/or reduced passive transfer are: 1. Poor quality of colostrums and the quantity of colostrum available before birth - quite common. 2. Low antibody transfer - result of poor feeding. 3. Low milk yield from the mare. 4. Impaired absorption by the intestinal mucosa. 5. Premature birth. The foals' immunity is built up from birth, first from the initial colostrum and later from environmental conditions. The immunity from the first antibodies and immunoglobulins are the most important immunity the foal will acquire. All through its early life the foal will be invaded by bacteria. Some will be beneficial and will help in digestion, while others will be pathogens (see exp.6) that will attempt to survive and produce toxins in the body or cause diseases. During this time the foal must begin to produce its own immunity and special cells will be produced and circulate in the blood to protect the body from this invasion of pathogens. 6. Pathogens are agents that causes disease, especially a living micro organism such as a bacterium or fungus. The essential ingredients of Equilibra Foal are Glutamine - an essential amino acid that kick starts" the formation of nucleotides (see below) that are involved in the production of cell tissue and the maturation of the intestinal mucosa. Nucleotides are directly involved in the immune processes and the energy systems. A diet deficient in glutamine will be deficient in nucleotides. Nucleotides - initially abundant in breast milk, nucleotides are vital components in most metabolic systems, but primarily in cell multiplication - the basis of all bodily functions. They are essential for the regulatory pathways in growth and immunity towards diseases, as a lack of dietary nucleotides will restrict the intestinal wall growth and thickness - a function that is very important in the young animal as it promotes cell maturation and supports nutrient uptake during growth periods. Dietary nucleotides are also critical during and after disease or tissue injury. By helping to rebuild damaged tissue, i.e. after chronic diarrhoea, they will also help prevent the diarrhoea condition that occurs in young foals. Nucleotides also help in the maintenance and positive composition of the beneficial hindgut microflora. This also helps in the prevention of diarrhoea and the resulting damage to intestinal tissue. In addition, nucleotides help in the recovery after weight loss caused by disease or protein deprivation due to sickness. Betaglucan - a soluble fibre (oligosaccharide) found in oats and yeasts that stabilises blood sugar and reduces the dangerous cholesterol fraction in the blood. It also activates the protective macrophages (see exp.7) to fight infections and stimulate the immune system. Betaglucan provides a feed source for the beneficial bacteria in the hindgut, helping to produce the micronutrients that are required by the host body. 7. A macrophage is a cell that engulfs and digests debris and invading micro organisms. Oatinol - a plant oil containing high levels of antioxidants that can scavenge the dangerous free radicals that damage cell tissue and reduce the cell immunity. Oatinol is also high in galactolipids (see exp.8) and polar lipids (see exp.9) that protect intestinal tissue and help carry and increase the bioavailability of nutrients to the body. 8 Galactolipids are molecule combinations of water-soluble sugars and soluble fats that are able to blend additional fats and water into the perfect medium for enzyme activity. 9. Polar lipids are fats that are similar to the fatty lining of the intestine - providing a protective coating to the intestine. Whey Protein Concentrate - contains high levels of immunoglobulins and similarly high levels of lactalbumins (see exp.10). Both these proteins are vital in the young animals diet for maintaining a high level of immunity. Lactoferrin (see exp.11), a valuable protein in its own right, is also present and acts as a bacteriostatic (see exp.12) and bactericidal (see exp.13) agent. The high digestibility of the whey protein concentrate reflects the quality of the proteins and will enhance the live weight gain in the young animal and also increase the immune defence. More so, unabsorbed immunoglobulins in the gut will play an important part in protecting against intestinal diseases over a long period of time, post partum. 10. Lactalbumins are simple water-soluble proteins found in many animal tissues and liquids. 11. Lactoferrin is a globular protein found in milk and many mucosal secretions, such as tears. 12. Bacteriostatic are antibiotics that inhibit growth. 13. Bactericidal are antibiotics that kill bacteria. The combination of these ingredients in the formulation of Equilibra Foal will enhance immunity and growth and result in a healthy animal. By complementing and compensating the mares' milk, Equilibra Foal will also help maintain the natural protection from potentially dangerous pathogens and mycotoxins (see exp.14) in the mares feed or forage that are often ingested by the foal. 14. Mycotoxins are toxins produced by a fungus. | 
