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Discussion on 5 Day Old Filly and Salt Lick...
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Member:
lvmyhors
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 - 11:56 am:
Hello, our 5 day old filly has discovered the salt lick in her pen and for the last 2 days has been "very" interested in it! Can she get too much salt? Also, when will she start drinking water?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 - 1:26 pm:
Teri FME too much salt can lead to loose stools, I would make sure her intake isn't excessive.
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Member:
lvmyhors
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 - 1:33 pm:
Thanks Diane! That could explain her loose stool! She's had normal poops up until yesterday, which is when she became so interested in the salt lick!
I'll move it and see what happens. One more question, should she have salt or will she get everything she needs from mama?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 - 2:06 pm:
I don't know Teri, could you let her have access to it for part of the day? I had to do that with one of my foals who was obsessive with the mineral/salt lick....he did get some very loose stools from it! Once he had limited access, it went away as quick as it came on.
I put it out for a few hours a day then removed it.
The adults was kept high enough where he couldn't reach it.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 - 2:14 pm:
Teri,
As Diane indicates horses can consume to much salt and trace minerals. If the mare's diet is balanced the newborn foal will not require a trace mineral block. But to keep the mares diet balanced she may require it. As to when the foal will actively drink water that is very variable. For more on the feeding and watering habits of the nursing foal see Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Feeding the Growing Foal, Nutrition for Young Horses.
DrO
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Member:
lvmyhors
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 - 2:21 pm:
Thanks Dr. O and Diane, I will move the salt out of the pen and put it back in for an hour in the AM and PM and see if that helps. As far as the mares diet, she is on high quality Alfalfa hay, Horseguard Vitamins and a quality mare/foal pellet along with a good mineral crumbles added to her mare pellets so I thnk she's getting everything she needs, along with a plain salt lick to satisfy that need. Should I be adding anything else to her diet?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 12, 2009 - 7:30 am:
Hello Teri,
For more on feeding the lactating mare check out Equine Reproduction » Pregnancy, Foaling, & Neonatal Care » Care of the Newborn Foal and Mare.
DrO
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