Body Weight and Condition of Kentucky Thoroughbred Mares and Their Foals as Influenced by Month of Foaling and Season

Several studies have assessed the effect of birth month and season on foal body weight; however, none of these studies evaluated the effect of season on changes in body weight or body condition in the lactating mare.

Thoroughbred mares (n=3,909) and their foals were weighed monthly to assess the influence of month of foaling, season, and gender on body weight, body condition score, and daily weight gain.

Colts were heavier and taller than fillies throughout the study. After one month of age, fillies were fatter than colts. Foals born in January and February were smaller at birth and grew more slowly early in life, but by 150 days of age this lag disappeared. Mare weight changes and body condition scores were related to season and management factors, as winter-foaling mares lost weight and had lower body condition post foaling than spring-foaling mares.

Brown-Douglas, C.G, J.D. Pagan, and S. Caddel. 2006. Body weight and condition of Kentucky Thoroughbred mares and their foals as influenced by month of foaling and season. Proc. Australian Equine Science Symposium, Gold Coast, Queensland, p. 14.

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