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Boosted Calcium, Copper, Zinc,
Phosphorus, and now with Magnesium.
It’s Important to Use Current Scientific Research to Raise Stronger
Foals.
All stud owners know and understand the absolute necessity to feed brood
mares and foals adequate balanced minerals to help prevent, or decrease,
the incidence of DOD (Developmental Orthopaedic Disease) in young foals,
weanlings and yearlings.
Current supplementation practices have, for many years, been based on
NRC (1989) recommended levels of nutrients for growing horses.
Recent scientific research has confirmed that growing horses receiving
these NRC recommended levels, or lower, are more likely to develop DOD.
The RIRDC (Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation) has
recently revised the recommended levels for the essential minerals
calcium, phosphorus, copper and zinc in brood mares and growing horses.
Ranvet Responds to Current Scientific Research
In line with the recently recommended mineral level increases, Ranvet
has acted to fortify Folactin Red, its mineral formulation for studs, to
reflect the new dietary requirements in Folactin Red Plus.
There is a scientific correlation between the occurrence of DOD in
horses, and the amount of copper, zinc, calcium and phosphorus fed. The
incidence of DOD decreases significantly when these minerals are
supplemented at adequate levels.
What’s Improved in Folactin Red Plus?
DOD is well accepted as having multifactorial causes, and
supplementation of one mineral alone will do little to reduce DOD
lesions. Folactin Red Plus provides boosted levels of the essential
bone-building minerals, copper, zinc, calcium and phosphorus, and now
has added magnesium
Copper is critically involved in stabilising bone collagen, and
formation of elastin. It has long been recognised that copper is
essential to help reduce DOD lesions, and copper has been shown to
reduce the prevalence of cartilage lesions in foals when present in
adequate amounts. Most Australian pastures are copper deficient.
Zinc deficiency in the diet can also be a contributing cause to DOD, and
recent scientific studies confirm that increased dietary zinc allowed
increased recovery from DOD in foals.
Calcium and phosphorus, the two primary minerals involved in development
of sound, healthy bones, must be present in a very precise ratio to
allow normal bone development. The levels of calcium and phosphorus in
Folactin Red Plus are now higher than NRC recommendations, because
scientific research shows that the amounts necessary to maximise bone
strength and total mineral content, as well as to reduce the incidence
of DOD’s, is higher than the levels required to maximise growth rate.
Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm
steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong.
Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood
pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein
synthesis
Is Folactin Red Plus Safe?
The improved levels of copper and zinc are still well below the upper
safe concentrations (copper, 800ppm, and zinc 500ppm), as determined by
the NRC, 1989. There is no risk in feeding these improved levels of
copper and zinc, but there could be significant advantages in doing so.
The improved ratio of calcium and phosphorus simply reflects the current
research on DOD prevention, and levels of both minerals are
significantly below any likely toxicity levels, while being balanced for
optimum availability and absorption. Calcium : phosphorus imbalances are
most likely to occur when high grain rations are fed, or when horses
graze tropical grasses for extended periods.
Is Folactin Red Plus Designed for Brood Mares As Well As Foals?
In the last 3 months of pregnancy the foetus doubles in size, and
calcification of the skeleton occurs. If adequate calcium is not
available at this time, foals are often premature, with inadequate
calcium stores, and predisposed to rickets. During late pregnancy the
mare draws heavily on calcium reserves stored in her bones. If she has
insufficient access to dietary calcium during this period, the mare’s
own body reserves of calcium may be severely depleted.
Lactating mares require even more minerals than pregnant mares - up to
three times greater than normal requirements. In fact, the lactating
mare loses over four times the amount of calcium than does a pregnant
mare. Folactin Red Plus provides the safety margin to allow for dietary
insufficiencies.
Folactin Red Plus improves the mineral quality of mare’s milk.
It is important to understand that the foal relies on body stores of the
trace minerals, including copper and zinc, as little is absorbed from
colostrum, therefore it is essential to ensure that mares in late
pregnancy are fed a diet balanced in minerals for incorporation into
foetal bone structure.
Young, Growing Horses Require Balanced Essential Minerals
Young growing horses require a balanced intake of minerals, including
calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, iron, zinc, iodine
and manganese for healthy, sound bone growth. At any time pastures are
likely to be deficient in one or more of the essential bone building
minerals. While many other factors such as dietary protein are also
involved in DOD, providing adequate balanced minerals is the key to
reducing the risk of DOD.
Can Folactin Red Plus Be Fed To Adult Horses?
Yes. Folactin Red Plus will be of value in adult horses where
deficiencies or imbalances of calcium. phosphorus, copper, and zinc may
exist in the pasture or diet. Folactin Red Plus is of significant value
in brood mares in the last third of pregnancy and lactation, as well as
in working horses and stallions.
What’s In Folactin Red Plus?
Each kg provides;
Retinol (Vitamin A) 247,000 IU (74.1mg/kg)
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 100,000IU (2.5mg/kg)
Folic Acid 167mg/kg
Inositol 79mg/kg
Calcium 292g/kg
Phosphorus 151g/kg
Lactose 20g/kg
Copper 4003mg/kg
Magnesium 91g/kg
Zinc 4414mg/kg
Cobalt 8mg/kg
Fluoride 4mg/kg
Daily Dose Rates
Pregnant & Lactating Mares 60-90g
Empty Mares 30-60g
Stallions 30-60g
Foals (creep fed) to 3 months 15-30g
Foals (creep fed) to 5 months 30-60g
Weanlings 30-60g
Yearlings 30-60g
Horses (over 16 years) additional 30-60g
A measuring spoon is enclosed. One level measure provides one 30g dose. |
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