Influences of the Seasons of the Year and Physiographic Regions on the Levels of Calcium, Copper and Zinc in the Hoof Capsule of Foals Pre- and Postweaning Raised in Native Pasture.

This study evaluated the levels of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the hoof of Criollo foals, pre- and postweaning, correlating them with the concentrations of these inorganic chemical compounds in soil and pasture in the different seasons of the year. We used 41 preweaning foals and 28 postweaning foals. Seventeen forage samples were collected in four seasons, later 10 soil samples per property in five distinct physiographic regions (Santa Maria, Dilermando de Aguiar, Jaguarão, Arroio Grande and Pelotas). There was variability in Ca, Cu and Zn concentrations in the hoof foal between distinct physiographic regions (P < .05), and between seasons. There was no association of preweaning and postweaning Ca levels with forage in the different physiographic regions. The concentrations of Cu and Zn showed positive association (R = 0.69, 0.43; P < .05) with the native pastures in the different physiographic regions in preweaning. In postweaning, only Cu was positively associated (R = 0.74; P < .05). Different season and physiographic regions influence the levels of Ca, Cu and Zn in the hoof capsule and native pasture during the pre- and postweaning stages.