Question
Will feeding calcium carbonate prevent OCD in foals, even foals from bloodlines known to have the problem?
Answer
As with many situations, the answer is not black or white. So, in some instances of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), calcium carbonate might help, yet in others, it might not.
If the diet is deficient in calcium or if the diet has a reversed calcium:phosphorus ratio (more phosphorus than calcium in the diet), additional calcium carbonate may be useful to prevent the development of OCD if there aren’t other predisposing factors working against the foal.
Conversely, if the diet provides sufficient or excessive amounts of calcium with a balanced calcium:phosphorus ratio (>1:1 but <3:1), it is unlikely that additional calcium carbonate is going to make much difference. In fact, the body may be less inclined to absorb the calcium from the digestive tract. Other sources of calcium with higher bioavailability, such as marine-derived calcium, would be preferred in these circumstances.
One KER supplement appropriate for young horses, especially performance prospects, is Triacton, which has been scientifically proven to improve bone density. Triacton contains a novel source of calcium, which is more digestible than other forms of the mineral, including calcium carbonate.
In one study*, Dutch Warmblood foals with the highest OCD scores also had the lowest bone density, with researchers suggesting tissue fragility as a possible factor in the development of OCD, as “some 80% of the tissue strength of bone is associated with its mineral content.” With this in mind, optimizing bone density should be a priority in affected foals.
In addition to its bone-building properties, Triacton’s calcium source also buffers the gastric and hindgut environment, which decreases the likelihood of gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis, both of which can derail growth.
OCD in growing horses is thought to be multifactorial or a compounding of different factors, such as genetic predisposition, conformation, trauma, and nutrition. Because OCD often has a multifactorial origin, it is nearly impossible to expect one supplement to prevent growth problems in every instance, but providing a balanced diet with highly digestible minerals is a great place to start.
Proper nutrition is vital for all horses but especially young, growing ones. Find an experienced nutritionist to guide you in the feeding of foals, weanlings, and yearlings. Better yet, find a nutritionist with a clear understanding of slow, steady growth and how to achieve it, even when faced with growth problems.
*Firth, E.C., P.R. van Weeren, D.U. Pfeiffer, J. Delahunt, and A. Barneveld. 1999. Effect of age, exercise and growth rate on bone mineral density (BMD) in third carpal bone and sital radius of Dutch Warmblood foals with osteochondrosis. Equine Veterinary Journal Suppl. 31:74-75.
