Making Plans Broodmares need to be basically healthy in order to be fertile healthy body condition good parasite control etc Studies have shown that mares who carry more weight BCS of 5 or higher are more fertile and those that are gaining weight have the best fertility ID: 540928
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Feeding Broodmares" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Feeding BroodmaresSlide2
Making Plans
Broodmares need to be basically healthy in order to be fertile – healthy body condition, good parasite control, etc.
Studies have shown that mares who carry more weight (BCS of 5 or higher), are more fertile, and those that are gaining weight have the best fertility. Slide3
Making Plans
While nursing a foal, a mare cannot eat enough to gain weight – the best we can hope is to help her maintain her condition.
It is important that she is in a healthy body condition – at least a BCS of 5 – prior to breeding and foaling. Slide4
Business As Usual
For most of the pregnancy, the mare can stay on her usual feed ration.
During the last four to six weeks of pregnancy the fetus gains a lot of weight, and as the mare begins bagging up she will benefit from some additional feed. Slide5
Foaling Time
As you’re waiting for your foal to arrive, especially if you are stalling your mare for easy monitoring, free choice hay will help keep her happy and healthy.
A supplemental mare and foal ration will make sure she has all the nutrients she needs for fetus growth and milk production. Slide6
Making Plans
Broodmares need to be basically healthy in order to be fertile – healthy body condition, good parasite control, etc.
Studies have shown that mares who carry more weight (BCS of 5 or higher), are more fertile, and those that are gaining weight have the best fertility. Slide7
Feeding Baby
The amount of nutrition needed to feed a growing foal is significant.
A mare and foal ration that both mom and baby can eat will benefit both.
As the foal grows, so will the mare’s dietary needs to keep up to feeding baby. Slide8
Feeding Baby
Mares often do well on pasture, or hay with minimal supplementation, until the foal is 3-4 months old. This is the time when they really require additional feed.
When the foal is “pulling down” the mare, don’t wean the foal, instead feed the mare. Slide9
Weaning
When it is time to wean the foal (between 6-9 months of age), reducing the mares ration will help to “dry up” her milk supply, and make her more comfortable more quickly.
Because of the stress connected with weaning, maintaining her on full time hay or pasture will help keep her healthy. Slide10
In Conclusion
Good body condition – or even fat – makes a mare more fertile.
Feeding a foal is one of the most nutritionally demanding times for any horse.
Don’t wean the foal – Feed the Mare!