Skip to content
Search Library
thumbnail

Proper feeding of broodmares during pregnancy is an essential part of producing healthy foals. During the first six or seven months of pregnancy the fetus weighs less than 2% of the mare’s weight, so free-choice grazing and access to good-quality hay will fulfill most of the nutritional requirement for many mares. Overfeeding of grain in early and mid-pregnancy may cause obesity that can be a factor in difficult delivery of the foal.

After the seventh month, the fetus gains as much as a pound a day. The mare’s requirements for protein and minerals increase dramatically during this period, although her need for digestible energy does not climb as steeply. When fed according to printed directions, most commercial broodmare feeds provide the higher levels of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals needed during the last trimester of gestation without overloadhttp://www.equinews.com/article/nutritional-requirements-of-broodmares-ramped-uping the energy component of the diet.

After the mare foals and begins lactation, her energy demand rises significantly. Nursing mares may produce up to 3% of their body weight in milk every day, and in addition to eating high-quality forage, most mares will need to have their concentrate ration increased to provide for this level of milk production.

As with any change in feed amount, broodmare managers should build up to this level over a period of a week or ten days toward the end of gestation. Similarly, the mare’s feed should taper down over a period of time as the foal nears weaning.

X

Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for free now!