Commercial equine production in New Zealand. 2. Growth and development of the equine athlete

Abstract

During the past 20 years, there has been a contraction in the New Zealand Thoroughbred industry and, to a lesser extent, within the Standardbred industry. These changes have seen an increasing proportion of the market being associated with fewer larger commercial farms. Many of these farms manage their own mares, and the mares and foals of several clients. This, in turn, has increased the similarity of the management of breeding and young stock within New Zealand. The temperate climate allows the majority of the management of breeding and young stock to be pasture based. The predominant pasture is ryegrass–clover mix that has been demonstrated to provide adequate nutrition for growth and development. The temperate climate also permits management of horses at pasture year round, which is proposed to stimulate development of the musculoskeletal system. Apart from a brief period during weaning, most young stock remain at pasture from birth until the start of yearling preparation. Free access to pasture exercise provides the opportunity to stimulate the musculoskeletal system for the future challenges as a racehorse. The export focus of many of the equine industries heavily influences the management decisions. Despite the availability of good-quality pasture post-weaning, many foals receive up to 50% of the daily dietary energy requirement as concentrates, possibly reflecting the emphasis on early sales as yearlings and the drive to optimise growth. The observations of drench resistance of common internal parasites presents an emerging problem for pasture-based production systems. A large proportion of the Thoroughbred foal crop is exported as yearlings or ready to run 2-year-olds. There is an increasing trend for Standardbreds to be sold as yearlings and this has resulted in changes in the management of Standardbred young stock.