Counter the septicaemia threat : : health & feeding

Septicaemia or the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, can develop within the first few hours of birth. Failure of passive transfer is commonly implicated as a contributing factor to the developing sepsis. It is essential to have an appropriate transfer of immunoglobulin (IgG) through drinking of the mare's colostrum within four hours after birth, as foals are born without a proper functioning immune system. This means that they are susceptible to bacteria that may ultimately lead to their death.