Question
I have a 15-year-old, 16.2-hand (168-cm) Thoroughbred broodmare that is thin due to some health problems in late gestation, including founder and reduced appetite. She has foaled, and her health is stable, so I would like to address the weight issue. Right now, she’s at a condition score of 3. She is on pasture at all times unless the weather is especially bad. She is fed 0.5 lb (0.2 kg) coconut meal, 0.5 lb (0.2 kg) rice bran, 6 oz soybean meal, 1 lb (0.45 kg) beet pulp, and 1 lb (0.45 kg) orchardgrass pellets three times a day. I am trying to keep this mare on a gluten-free diet. All of the other horses on the farm look good, maybe even plump. I would also like to know if the aforementioned diet is appropriate for yearlings, too.
Answer
Supplying sufficient digestible energy (calories) and protein is key for horses to weight gain. I calculated that the mare’s current diet is meeting her maintenance requirements when consuming adequate amount of hay and pasture (about 20 lb (9 kg)/d), but this diet is not supplying enough energy for weight gain during lactation.
In her case, a bump up in calories is warranted. This can be achieved by increasing the rice bran, beet pulp, and potentially adding a concentrated fat source like vegetable oil (4-8 oz/d). Offering the mare three meals a day reduces meal size and improves feed digestibility, so this is a wise management strategy.
Researchers have identified the potential for gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity in horses with inflammatory small bowel disease, and a gluten-free diet may help alleviate signs of this condition. However, from the information provided, I feel the mare’s weight loss was due to the underlying medical condition and shortage of calories because of inappetence, and not related to digestive upset.
For both your mare and young, growing horses that have not shown signs of digestive disorders, I recommend using commercially available feeds formulated for specific life stages. These feeds provide the energy, protein sources, vitamins, and minerals needed for particular phases in a horse’s life, such as gestation, lactation, and growth.
Supplemental omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce systemic inflammation that will benefit the mare and help improve her overall health and condition. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids like those found in EO-3 offer superior health benefits including boosting immunity, digestive well-being, and reproductive health.
