Attention all Breeders: Supplement your Broodmares Now! All breeders will have endeavoured to keep their mares in good condition throughout the summer. However due to modern husbandry practices, it is advisable to supplement broodmares with nutrients that are essential for correct development and growth of the foal.  During the last trimester of pregnancy, while the mare is lactating and as the foal matures through weanling and yearling stage, there is an elevated requirement for essential nutrients needed for optimum skeletal development. Mineral requirements for the developing foal are; calcium and phosphorous in the correct ratio along with trace minerals copper, zinc and manganese, a bio available source of sulphur can also be beneficial. Deficiencies in these minerals have been linked to incidences of Epiphysitis and Developmental Orthopaedic Diseases (DOD). Protein is essential for growth; as protein is made of amino acids, it is essential that the young foal is receiving adequate amounts of all essential amino acids. Lysine is deemed to be the first limiting amino acid; a deficiency in the growing horses diet will ultimately lead to reduced growth rate. New developments in the US have found that the mineral silicon can enhance bone calcification. Silicon is associated with collagen formation, the fibrous protein matrix that provides support for body structures such as cartilage and bone. By laying down a strong bone framework, the young foal is able to withstand the pressures of growth spurts without undue stress on its young underdeveloped bones. This support will reduce the likelihood of bony enlargements that young horses are prone to during these critical development stages. Top breeders worldwide are using a relative new product to the market called CALPHORMIN as it contains a valuable source of silicon in the form of Sodium Zeolite. TRM’ s product CALPHORMIN is unique in that along with Sodium Zeolite it also contains a balanced combination of macro-minerals, trace-minerals and amino acids. By feeding CALPHORMIN to your mare in the last trimester you can be sure that you are doing everything to give your newborn foal the best start it can get. Continuing to feed the young, rapidly growing horse CALPHORMIN will optimise its growth and bone development in a correct and balanced way. Irish Field, 2006