Bone deposition of calcium and phosphorus, radiographic density and body development in foals fed with organic minerals

Abstract

This study examined the effect of organic minerals in foals diet evaluating the concentration of bone calcium and phosphorus, bone densitometry and growth and development performance variables. Ten horses weighing 240.7 ± 30.2 kg and 10 ± 0.15 months were used in the study, with two treatments: basal diet with minerals in organic or inorganic forms. The diet was composed of 40% forage and 60% concentrate, which was added as mineral mixture in organic or inorganic quantity of 3% of the concentrate. No effect of mineral sources was observed on bone deposition of calcium and phosphorus. At 90 days, the bone density of foals fed with minerals in organic form was higher than that observed in animals fed with minerals in the inorganic form. Animals fed with organic minerals showed greater weight increase compared to animals fed inorganic mineral. The use of minerals in organic form increases bone density and weight increase in growing foals.