Broodmares have special need compared to other horses.
The differences are the amount of feed required and the type of feed used.
The Broodmare goes through different stages of nutritional requirements that can affect the foal and it’s development.. Early Gestation (first 8 months) Late Gestation (Last 3 months) and Lactation (milking)
Broodmares should be in good flesh to conceive.
Body condition is the most important factor affecting the reproductive performance of mares. Mares in good flesh.
- Cycle earlier in the year( daylight may not be as big a factor as condition and energy intake).
- Require fewer cycles per conception
- Have a higher pregnancy rate
Management of the mare’s body condition should be supported by careful selection of feedstuffs and accurate ration formulation. These are important factors in promoting normal foal growth.
Total Feed Intake
Total daily feed intake by mares (hay and Grain mix) normally ranges from 1.5% to 3.0% of body weight, with 2% being the average.
Daily feed intake depends on:
- The type and quality of hay or grazing
- The crude fiber level
- Energy density of the Grain mix
As the fiber level increases and energy density decreases, the amount of feed required to meet energy demands will go up.
as forage quality decreases, voluntary intake decreases. This presents a problem in providing enough energy to maintain the good body condition.
Daily feed intake can vary from mare to mare.
Feed intake may have to be increased for hard keepers or heavy milkers,
Early And Mid-Gestation
A non-lactating, pregnant mare in the first eight months of gestation has nutrient requirements very similar to those of any mature, idle horse. The developing foal gains only 0.2 pounds/day during this time and does not present a significant nutritional demand on the mare. It is usually considered sufficient simply to meet the mare’s nutrient requirements for maintenance.
This may be accomplished by free-choice grazing of quality pasture.
Mares can consume as much as 3% of their body weight, which can meet their needs for protein and energy during this stage of gestation.
Mineral requirements may not be met, particularly in mineral-deficient pastures.
A good practice during this time would be to provide supplemental minerals.
High-quality hays can also be excellent As an average, mares will require from 1.5% to 1.75% of their body weight in high-quality hay. Grazing and/or hay will usually maintain a mare that is already in good body condition, Mares in poor or marginal condition will require more than just hay. A high quality grain mix is recommended.
Fescue can be good roughage for horses in general, but is harmful to mares if it contains endophyte fungus. Problems such as total absence of milk, early foal death, and thickened placenta have been associated with ingesting fescue fungus. Fescue should be tested for endophyte fungus and mares should be removed from questionable pastures at least 90 days prior to foaling.
When pasture or hay quality declines, or is not available in adequate amounts, mares will need supplemental concentrate to maintain body weight and condition. A quality concentrate fed at 0.5% to 0.75% of body weight will help keep mares in good shape.
Late Pregnancy
As a mare enters the last few months of pregnancy, nutrient requirements increase because the unborn foal is growing more rapidly (averaging up to 1 pound/day).
During this time the intake of high quality protein, sufficient energy, Good levels of calcium and phosphorus plus vitamin A needs to be increased.
Even in situations where forage is sufficiently maintaining mares in good condition, it is important that they receive quality concentrate supplementation to provide the protein, vitamin and mineral balance necessary to properly support the growth and development of the foal.
Nutrient balance is of major importance, because most fetal growth occurs during the last three months of gestation. It is during the tenth month that the greatest amount of mineral retention occurs in the unborn foal. In addition to this, mare’s milk is practically low in trace minerals, such as copper, Iron, and Zinc which are essential for proper development. Therefore, adequate nutrition of the mare is crucial for normal fetal development.
Good mare nutrition also will provide sufficient mineral reserves for the foal to draw upon these nutrients after birth.
Added fats or oils can be used to help mares in unsatisfactory condition to gain the desired weight.
Lactation
At foaling, a mare’s daily nutrient requirements increase significantly.
A 1000 lb mare jumps from needing 12,000 calories a day to 30,000 calories a day.
The protein and energy requirements almost double from early gestation to lactation, as do requirements for calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A.
The requirements must be met in order for the mare to recover from foaling, to produce milk, and to rebreed, all without losing body condition.
Mares produce an average of 24 pounds (3 gallons) of milk daily during a 5-month lactation.
High-producing mares produce as much as 32 pounds (4 gallons) of milk daily.
Nutrient content of mare’s milk follows a more drastic downward curve. In the fourth month of lactation, a mare’s milk provides less than 30% of the total energy needed by her foal. Providing lactating mares with a concentrate that includes added fats or oils and high quality protein can help slow the downward curve of production and improve nutrient content of the milk. This will translate into an early growth advantage for the nursing foal. The foal is producing the highest amount of growth hormone at this time. This means he or she is more from it food than at any other time in it’s life. Early growth lost at this time of development will be lost forever if your mare is not milking her very best.
A lactating mare will usually consume between 2 to 3% of her body weight in total feed (hay + concentrate) daily. Because of the significant difference in nutrient requirements from gestation to lactation, it would be safer for a gradual increase in feed intake to begin prior to foaling. This would prevent a drastic change at foaling time, which could increase the risk of digestive problems.
Providing the total daily feed in two, three or even four equal feedings allows mares to more safely consume the amounts needed during lactation.
Heavy milkers may require as much as 1.75% of body weight in concentrate feed each day, depending on the quality and nutrient density of that concentrate. When possible, mares fed in groups should be sorted according to feed intake or body condition to insure each mare receives the appropriate amount of concentrate to meet her needs.
Free-choice, spring grazing will meet some of the mare’s nutrient requirements, but considerable amounts of supplemental concentrate will be needed. .
After the fourth month of lactation, daily requirements begin to decline.
Most horsemen will have had foals on a good creep feed to prepare them for weaning by the fourth or fifth month of age.
Foals need a minimum of three weeks consuming grains to develop the enzymes needed to digest these nutrients. Anything short of that will cause a growth decline in the foal.
Once the foal is weaned, mares can go back to a maintenance diet.
