Alfa-A for lactating mare?

[Kacey88]

My mare has a week old foal at foot. Both are doing well. Mare is on a balancer and 2 mugs of linseed, currently mixed with a big scoop of sloppy Speedi Beet so she eats it slowly.

Would Alfa-A be more beneficial to her? I think it would provide more calories than the speedi beet?

Or is it a waste of money and I'd be better off giving her extra haylage? She is currently an ok weight - but I can see her losing it as the foal is big and growing fast. I like to avoid starch don't fancy feeding a stud mix.

Anyone any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Maesfen]

I personally wouldn't as I hate chaff of any sort in the vicinity of foals as they like to nibble on the feed too and they haven't got the right chewing ability for chaff until they're much older, they just suck it up and then it blocks or can cause choke and make them incredibly ill.

It depends what balancer she's on but I'd be happy to feed a stud one at the rec' weight with the linseed and up the fibre whether that be hay or haylage and of course good grazing for them; grass is the best to keep the system well. If she does start to lose weight which in all honesty is likely if she does the foal well, then I'd be looking at stud nuts, they are far better for weight gain than a mix and the foal can nibble those quite safely.

BTW, how dare you NOT post pics of your foal, that's just not on; we demand pics, lol!

 

[Kacey88]

I put up pictures on the breeding board, didn't want to re-bore anyone with my foal! Her name is Mimi.

I think I'll avoid chaff so, thanks I didn't think about the foal, and she does nibble EVERYTHING!

 

[Maesfen]

Very nice, congratulations.