Mares are expected to grow a healthy foal inside them for 11 months and produce enough milk for that foal for up to six months. Furthermore, many mares are expected to raise healthy foals year after year, requiring successful rebreeding while the previous year’s foal is still by her side.

Because nutrition influences each stage of the broodmare’s production cycle, nutritional management may, in many ways, determine the success of the breeding program.

IDEAL BODY CONDITION FOR BROODMARES

Several studies have found that the mare’s body condition will influence her reproductive performance. Mares that are moderately fleshy or fat can be expected to:

• cycle earlier in the year

• have fewer cycles per conception

• have a higher pregnancy rate

• maintain pregnancy more easily than thin mares

Mares in fleshy condition will have a slight crease down the back and will have fat covering the outlines of the ribs. Noticeable amounts of fat can also be seen along the sides of the neck and withers and the fat deposited around the tail head feels soft.

Mares with poor body condition have little to no fat cover along the sides of the neck or withers, behind the shoulder or around the tail head. Also, the backbone and a faint outline of the ribs can be seen. Correct nutritional management will ensure that mares enter the breeding season in optimal body condition.

FEEDS FOR BROODMARES

No matter what stage of reproduction the mare is in, the major nutrients of concern are energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus. The trace minerals: iodine, copper, zinc and manganese, are also important for the pregnant and lactating mare, as are the vitamins A, D and E.

Quality forages should be the basis of feeding programs for all horses. Feeding high quality hays will provide most of the nutrients needed by broodmares. Good quality pasture may be able to replace some or all of the hay fed. However, during winter or where pasture availability is limited, mares will need to be supplemented with hay.

Grain supplementation can be incorporated into the feeding program when energy needs increase (during late gestation and lactation) or if hay quality is questionable.

Additional calcium, phosphorus, trace mineral and vitamin needs can be met by providing a suitable mineral/vitamin supplement (such as a livestock mineral with a 1:1 ratio of calcium and phosphorus containing 18 per cent calcium and 18 per cent phosphorus). In addition, trace mineralized salt should be provided “free choice” at all times.

Most commercial grain mixes are fortified with minerals and vitamins (if in doubt, check the label or ask the feed store representative). If you are feeding a mineral-fortified commercial grain mix at levels recommended on the package (usually at least 4 to 5 pounds (2 kg) per horse per day), you may only need a trace-mineralized salt. If you are feeding less than the recommended level, or plain oats, you will need additional mineral supplementation.

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