The level of enzyme activity in the foal’s digestive tract determines which feed materials the foal is able to digest most effectively, as shown in the graph. Research by Matsui and colleagues in Japan has suggested that the mineral intake from milk and pasture alone in the first three weeks was insufficient to meet the foal’s requirements. The foal utilises mineral stores accumulated in the liver in utero to meet the demands of this developmental phase. The foal will be deficient in mineral stores if the mare hasn’t received a balanced diet throughout pregnancy, which may lead to developmental problems during the first three months of the foal’s life. (see Enzyme Activity Chart below)
 
Foal Assist is a vitamin and trace mineral drench that provides a concentrated source of nutrients to support tissue formation without promoting weight gain or rapid growth. Foal Assist is used routinely to manage and as a preventative measure against feed-related developmental problems. It is ideal for top-heavy foals not requiring additional calories from a creep feed and is designed to complement the natural decline in mare’s milk quality.
 
"Foal Assist has to be one of the best products available to manage and reduce the risk of nutrition related D.O.D"
Toni Kirbyshire, Petches Farm Stud
 
Foal Creep Pellets are a creep feed developed to provide extra energy and nutrients to support growth in foals of poor milking dams. The 4mm milk based pellets can be introduced from one week of age, as they are highly palatable and contain micronised ingredients for improved digestibility. Designed specifically to complement mare’s milk, and to aid the transition from mare’s milk to hard feed.
 
The pellets can be used in conjunction with Mare’s Milk Replacer for orphaned or rejected foals which is a fully balanced milk replacer, providing highest quality milk protein, vitamins and minerals. Developed to be fed free choice from a bucket, the foal is able to feed naturally, as if from its dam, reducing the chances of digestion related problems. The foal can then be introduced to Foal Creep Pellets when showing an interest in concentrates.
 
"The combination of Foal Creep Pellets and expert advice from Baileys proved to be a life saving partnership in successfully raising our orphan foal into a healthy, well adjusted yearling."
Mrs E. Phillips, Inverarity, Scotland.