EFFECTS OF VARIOUS FEEDING REGIMENS ON THE ENERGY-BALANCE OF EQUINE NEONATES

Objective-To determine the effect of diet on energy intake, loss, and metabolism in foals 2 to 7 days old. Animals-14 pony foals. Procedure- Group-A foals suckled their dams, group-B foals were fed milk replacer , and group-C foals were fed by total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Ener gy balance studies were performed over 8-hour periods on postpartum da ys 2, 4, and 7. Results-Mean gross energy (GE) intake of group-A foals increased between days 2 and 7. Approximately 3% of GE was excreted i n urine and feces, and energy expenditure remained constant. These foa ls were in positive energy balance, and mean body weight increased. Fr om day 4 onward, group-B foals consumed more energy than did group-A f oals because the milk replacer had a higher energy content than did ma res milk. Mean energy loss in group-B foals was 14% of GE on day 2, bu t this value decreased subsequently. Energy expenditure in group-B fea ts was less than that in group-A foals, and energy balance was positiv e. Group-C foals had the lowest energy intake and expenditure; energy balance was negative on postpartum day 2. These foals also had gastroi ntestinal tract problems. Conclusions-Mares' milk is highly digestible and is correlated with positive energy balance in neonatal foals. Mil k replacer initially is less digestible than mares' milk. in this stud y, TPN was associated with negative energy balance. Clinical Relevance -The data indicate the advantages of enteral feeding with mares' milk and highlight the clinical and technical difficulties associated with TPN.