Feeding a broodmare properly throughout her pregnancy, after foaling and for weaning and beyond is essential for the health of both the mare and her foal.
The nutritional demands on a mare shift significantly from early gestation through lactation. Meeting these changing needs ensures strong milk production, optimal foal development and good maternal condition.
You should have key feeding strategies to support your mare through her pregnancy and foaling journey. Understanding the stages of pregnancy and nutritional changes is paramount as your mares nutritional needs will differ significantly across the stages of gestation.
- Early Gestation (conception to ~5 months) - Nutrient needs are only slightly above maintenance. Focus on maintaining a healthy body condition, with a forage-based diet and a feed balancer usually sufficient. Avoid overfeeding as excess weight can cause complications later in pregnancy.
- Mid to Late Gestation (5 months onward) - Nutrient requirements increase significantly after month 7, especially for protein, calcium, phosphorus and trace minerals. At this point a feeding balancer with approx. 16-18% protein is desirable. Ensure access to high-quality hay or grazing to support energy and calorific needs, and consider adding alfalfa for calcium and digestible protein.
Focus on key nutrients in late pregnancy
During the final trimester, approximately 60% of foetal growth occurs. Here are the nutrients to emphasise:
- Protein - For muscle and tissue development
- Calcium and Phosphorus - For strong bones and joints
- Copper, Zinc, Selenium - For immune development and antioxidant support
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids - For foetal brain development and reducing inflammation
Hydration and salt
Always provide clean, fresh water and free choice access to a salt block or loose salt added to feed (Blue Chip balancers contain electrolytes). Dehydration or electrolyte imbalance can impact milk production and general health.
Feeding after foaling: The demands of lactation
Lactation is the most nutritionally demanding time in a mare’s life. Energy needs increase by up to 50-70% compared to maintenance. Continue feeding a suitable feed balancer.
Provide unlimited access to good-quality forage, and supplement where necessary with additional fibre mashes, beet pulp (or similar) if the mare struggles to hold her weight.
Monitor your mare's body condition weekly, if she's dropping condition, increase calorie-dense feeds gradually.
Feeding during weaning preparation
As weaning approaches, continue feeding quality forage and a feed balancer to maintain your mares own daily health and condition, this will also mean milk production will naturally start to fall off.
After weaning, continue to adjust the mare’s diet (if necessary) to maintain her condition, taking into account whether she will be placed in foal again.
Every mare is different, so take care to regularly assess:
- Body condition
- Feed intake
- Behaviour and energy levels
- Foal growth and health
Feeding a mare through pregnancy and lactation is not a one-size-fits-all approach. By tailoring her diet to each stage of gestation and lactation, you’re setting the foundation for a healthy foal and a strong, productive dam.
Correct nutrition is one of the most powerful tools in the management of her health and that of the foal, please do get in touch if you have any further questions.
INTERESTED IN FEEDING FOALS?
Original Feed Balancer is often (though not always) the balancer of choice for mares and foals. Get in touch with us today to find out which feed balancer may best suit your mare and foal.
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