Broodmare Nutrition Requirements Ramped Up

Mare nutritional status is a critical component in foal health from conception through weaning.
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Mares represent the mainstay of any commercial or private breeding enterprise. In addition to their all-important genetic contributions, mares provide a protective and nourishing environment in which to raise their foals, both before and after birth. Without a doubt, the nutritional status of mares is a critical component in foal health from the moment of conception and continues through weaning.

The publication of the National Research Council’s latest revision of Nutrient Requirements of Horses offered up several new thoughts on broodmare nutrition in the two most important phases of production, gestation and lactation.

Gestation

Prior to the publication of the most recent version of Nutrient Requirements of Horses, industry professionals divided a mare’s gestation into two distinct nutritional periods: (1) from the time a mare was pronounced in foal to about eight months (early gestation; first and second trimesters), and (2) nine months to approximately 11 months or birth (late gestation; third trimester)

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