Changes in in vitro Fermentative Capacity in Foals From Birth to 2 Months Old

Abstract : As early as the first day of life, foals begin to eat their mothers′ forage. The time they spend feeding increases rapidly and it represents at 2 months 40 % of the maximal time feeding of mares [1]. To quantify the nutrients amount supplied by forage, fiber digestibility should be known. Digestibility depends both on the retention time and the fibrolytic activity of bacteria in the large intestine. In vitro NDF disappearance by 1 month of age was reported similar to those determined in mares but, no information are available from birth to 1st month [2].