ANALYSIS OF THE FEEDING OF LACTATING MARE S AND SUCKLING FOALS AT PASTURE IN WESTPHALIA

The purpose of this field study was to estimate the provision with ene rgy and nutrients for lactating mares and suckling foals, kept on past ure without nutritional supplementation. Between April and October 199 3, the feeding of 149 warmblood mares and their foals from 40 westphal ian farms was recorded. Grass samples of two growth periods were analy zed for nutrients and minerals. The results of the grass analysis were used for ration calculations. Their evaluation shows enormous deviati ons from the recommendations for the provision with energy and nutrien ts of mares and foals.