HOW MUCH ENERGY DO SICK NEONATAL TOOLS REQUIRE COMPARED WITH HEALTHY FOALS

The daily energy (E) balance of 6 healthy and 5 sick foals was measure d on days 2, 4 and 7 post partum. The mean gross energy intake (GE) of the healthy foals increased from 29.7 MJ d(-1) (day 2) to 32.8 MJ d(- 1) (day 7). Metabolisable energy (ME) was between 97 and 99% GE. Energ y expenditure averaged 15.2, 16.7 and 19.0 MJ d(-1) on days 2, 4 and 7 post partum, respectively. The healthy foals were in positive E balan ce and their mean body mass increased. For the sick foals, GE intake a nd E expenditure were low (mean 7.2 MJ d(-1) and 10.6 MJ d(-1), respec tively) and ME was between 90 and 99% GE. Despite their;ow rates of me tabolism, the sick foals were in negative E balance and they consumed insufficient energy to meet metabolic demand.