FEEDING THE BROODMARE AND FOAL
by Jessie Hanson, Equine Wellness Consultant
Good quality, dust- and mold-free forage plus, a constant supply of clean, fresh water is the basis for good horse nutrition. Free-choice salt and a quality grain concentrate supply the balance of required nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Feeding the Broodmare
Energy requirements are highest for the lactating broodmare, superceding all other periods in her reproductive life. Although during the last three months of pregnancy caloric need increases, it is lactation that creates the greatest energy demand. Reversely, her caloric requirement decreases as the time for weaning approaches.
During early lactation, the broodmare may consume up to 3% of her body weight daily. From foaling to three months, her diet must consist of both forage and concentrate to assure she’s receiving proper nutrition and energy. Forage should be fed at no less than 1.5 - 1.75% of body weight plus, a grain concentrate of 0.5 - 1.5%. After the foal is three months old, and the mare begins to prepare herself for weaning, the grain concentrate should be reduced in half, removing it entirely one to two weeks prior to weaning. Continue to withhold any grain concentrate for two weeks post-weaning, and provided the mare is in good body condition, reduce forage to 1.5 – 2%. This reduction in caloric intake helps to decrease the mare’s milk production encouraging the foal to seek out solid food sources. Lesser milk production also reduces the mare’s mammary discomfort after weaning.
Studies reveal that there is a direct correlation between the broodmare’s body condition and rate of conception. With a body condition score between 5 and 8 (1=emaciated; 5=moderate; 9=obese), the rate of conception has been shown to be 85% to 100%. An optimum body condition score of 5 or 6 limits the difficulties associated with either a too thin or, obese broodmare.
Timing is everything when initiating a weight loss program for obese broodmares. From two weeks prior to weaning up until the ninth month of gestation is the period when a mare can safely reduce weight without risking the health and development of the fetus. However, avoid weight loss programs prior to breeding, during the first trimester of pregnancy, and early in lactation. Weight loss during these times may decrease reproduction efficiency and milk production.
Feeding the Foal
The goal in feeding a growing horse is to achieve a steady growth rate from foal to mature horse, while eliminating growth spurts or growth depression. This typically can be accomplished by ensuring that all essential nutrients are consumed in proper amounts.
For about the first two months of the foal’s life, the mare’s milk usually provides all of the nutrients required by the foal, provided that the mare is well fed and is a good milk producer. The mare’s milk production peaks when the foal is only six to eight weeks old and will no longer contain sufficient amounts of nutrients to meet all of the foal’s needs after the foal is two months old.
As the foal’s nutritional needs increase, so will his consumption of grain. Creep feeding a grain mix supplements the nutrients required by the foal beginning when the foal is from one to two months of age. It helps to insure that he is receiving adequate nutrition for growth and development. By providing a separate creep feeder for the foal, the foal and the mare will each be able to receive their own required amount of grain in addition to the breeder being able to monitor the foal’s intake. Foals that are not provided a creep feed may suffer setbacks at weaning time, reflected in a loss of weight and body condition as they try to adjust to both the loss of their dam and a new grain diet.
A creep feeder can be constructed by installing a board across one corner of the stall or pasture shelter, so that the foal can access the grain though the mare cannot. Specially designed tub feeders with bars across the top are commercially available for easy installation on a wooden fence. The bars are spaced so as to allow only the foal access to the grain. Placing creep feeders close to where the mare is fed encourages the foal to use it, otherwise the foal may choose not to if it means being too far away from mom.
A pelleted ration offered as a creep feed prevents the foal from sorting out ingredients, thereby receiving the full nutritional value of the feed. Many commercial feed manufacturers offer a selection of pellets and sweet feed both of which are fortified specifically for the needs of the growing foal. A proper creep feed ration should consist of 16% crude protein, 0.8% calcium, 0.55% phosphorus, with a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 1:1 to 3:1. If the foal is fed a diet of only cereal grains and grass hay, he may not receive enough protein or calcium. It may also cause an inverted calcium to phosphorus ratio potentially resulting in severe health problems.
Forage, in the form of hay or pasture, is an important element in the growing foal’s diet. It makes up the difference between the nutrients which are provided in the grain concentrate and the foal’s total dietary needs. Digestible energy (calories) required by the foal will vary throughout maturation and need to be re-evaluated and adjusted accordingly.
As always, if you have any questions regarding your horse’s dietary needs, please consult your veterinarian or a qualified equine nutrition resource.
