Proper nutrition is essential for your broodmare’s reproductive success. A mare’s nutritional needs change throughout her three distinct phases: early gestation, late gestation, and lactation. Managing her diet through each stage is key to keeping her healthy and ready to produce a strong foal each year.
Body condition is the single most important factor in a mare’s reproductive performance. Mares in good condition (a body condition score of 5.5 to 7.5) cycle earlier, conceive more easily, and are more likely to maintain their pregnancies. Thin mares, especially during lactation, struggle to support both their foal and a new pregnancy.
Here’s how to manage your mare’s nutrition through each stage:
- Early & Mid-Gestation: In the first eight months, a mare’s needs are similar to a mature, idle horse. High-quality pasture or hay is often enough to maintain her condition. However, you should provide a supplemental mineral to fill any nutritional gaps.
- Late Gestation: During the last three months, the foal grows rapidly, increasing the mare’s need for protein, energy, and minerals. Supplementing with a quality concentrate is critical for proper fetal development, as the foal builds essential mineral stores before birth.
- Lactation: After foaling, a mare’s nutrient requirements nearly double. She needs significant protein and energy to produce milk, recover from foaling, and rebreed. Underfeeding will cause weight loss and can impact her ability to raise her foal and become pregnant again.
Feeding a quality concentrate like those offered by Purina ensures your mare receives the balanced nutrition she needs through every stage. Stop by Steinhauser’s to find the right feeding program to support your mare’s health and your foal’s future performance.