TheHorse.com logo
Sign In or Create a Login
for access to 15,300+ articles
News and veterinarian-approved articles on
equine health care from The Horse magazine.



Go to Article #:
 
Adoptable Horse
Sponsored By Exclusively Equine


Get a DVM
Article Library

Please Note: We have put articles into topic categories only when they are focused on those topics, not just if they mention the topic once. If you are having trouble finding something, please use the search box above.

Skip Navigation LinksAll Horse Topics > Nutrition/Supplements > Mare Nutrition


Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Preventing Developmental Orthopedic Disease through Nutrition  *
Developmental orthopedic disease can rob a young horse of its future as a sound athlete. Each year the consequences of diseases such as osteochondritis dissecans and physitis render hundreds, maybe thousands, of young horses structurally inadequate for the work they were bred to do. Over the last several years, researchers have found that appropriate ... Read full story
 7/29/2009
Preventing Metabolic Disorders through Early Nutrition   *
Maternal nutrition and early foal nutrition could impact the development of the organs and systems that control energy metabolism later in life, suggest the authors of a recent research report. "In other species, it has been demonstrated that maternal diet has important implications on the metabolic status of the offspring," explained equine nutritionist ... Read full story
 6/12/2009
12 Months of Feeding Tips  *
Here's how to roll with Mother Nature through the seasons, nutritionally speaking. Sometimes it feels as if humans have divorced themselves from the rhythms of nature. Perhaps that's part of the appeal of horses. They seem so much more attuned to the natural world than we are. And when we spend time in their company, we're brought back into an environment ... Read full story
 1/1/2009
Broodmare Nutrition Horse Course Now Available  *
The second installment of TheHorse.com's Horse Course series, "Broodmare Nutrition," is now available online at TheHorse.com/HorseCourses When creating a feeding program for broodmares, it's important to remember that the mare is eating for two; you must consider the nutritional requirements of the foal, in addition to those of the mare. In TheHorse.com's ... Read full story
 4/15/2008
Stopping the Flow
Q: I have a mare that is still lactating heavily months after weaning her foal. What is the cause of this? And how can it be cured or prevented? Michelle, via e-mail A: I have no information on specific disorders of the mare that would explain this. That leaves us with a concern for management failure as an explanation for this situation. Milk ... Read full story
 11/1/2007
Endophyte-Infected Fescue  *
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a nutritious cool-season perennial grass that grows on more than 35 million acres in the United States. Introduced from Europe more than 100 years ago, it didn't become popular until the mid-1940s after it was found to be productive and hardy in a wide variety of climates. It now provides hay and pasture for more ... Read full story
 4/1/2006
Book Excerpt: Feeding During Pregnancy and Lactation  *
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from Understanding Equine Preventive Medicine by Bradford G. Bentz, VMD. This book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. Throughout usually the first seven to eight months of gestation, the nutritional requirements of the pregnant mare do not differ substantially from that of idle horses. In fact, the nutritional ... Read full story
 3/24/2006
Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD) and Mare Nutrition  *
A seminar for veterinarians on developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) in horses and ways it can be controlled through feeding and management practices was presented by Dan Burke, PhD, director of equine nutrition for Buckeye Nutrition, on Feb. 9 in Lexington, Ky. "DOD is a broad term representing a number of clinical syndromes affecting the musculoskeletal ... Read full story
 3/24/2005
Farnam/Purina Partner on New Feeding Program  *
On March 7, Farnam, known for its wide variety of equine products from equine dewormers to fly sprays to equipment, and Purina, one of the country's most recognized and respected manufacturers of animal feeds, announced they had become partners in the manufacturing and promotion of a new, premium line of horse feeds and supplements. Platform horse ... Read full story
 3/8/2005
AAEP 2003: Preparation of the Mare for Normal Foaling  *
Tom Riddle, DVM, of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., began the in-depth session on "The Foal: Birth to One Month" with a discussion on how to prepare the third-trimester mare for normal foaling. His discussion included his management procedures within his Kentucky veterinary practice, which deals mainly with Thoroughbreds. However, ... Read full story
 1/31/2004
Building Better Athletes Through Nutrition  *
Nutritional strategies for raising and competing sounder Thoroughbreds, many of which can be applied to horses of all breeds, was presented by Laurie Lawrence, PhD, at the Thoroughbred International Exposition and Conference (TIEC). Lawrence, who has done extensive research on equine nutrition at the University of Kentucky, covered nutrition of foals, ... Read full story
 7/1/2003
Broodmare Diet Basics   *
The body condition of a broodmare can affect reproductive performance and milking ability. Recent research has indicated that mares should be kept in a minimum body condition score of 5.5 (see "Selected Body Condition Scores and Descriptions," below or download this Body Condition Score poster here). This body condition is referred to as moderately ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
Pregnant Mares and Supplements   *
Eleven months is a very long time to wait for a foal. I know from personal experience that the further along the mare is, the more your hopes and dreams for your "perfect foal" grow. It doesn't matter if the foal is bred to gallop to the wire or jump to the moon, or whether you are dreaming about lots of markings or a perfect blanket, everyone wants ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
AAEP Convention: Nutrition  *
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN EQUINE NUTRITION A lot has happened in the field of equine nutrition research in the last five years. Ginger Rich, PhD, of Rich Equine Nutritional Consulting in Eads, Tenn.; and Leslie Breuer, PhD, of LH Breuer and Associates, updated veterinarians who attended the Current Concepts in Equine Nutrition in-depth session at ... Read full story
 3/1/2003
AAEP 2002: Recent Developments in Equine Nutrition  *
A lot has happened in the field of equine research in the last five years. Ginger Rich, PhD, of Rich Equine Nutritional Consulting in Eads, Tenn.; and Leslie Breuer, PhD, of LH Breuer and Associates, updated veterinarians and others who attended the Current Concepts in Equine Nutrition in-depth session at the 2002 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ ... Read full story
 2/4/2003
Nutrition and Reproduction  *
"Sex is truly a luxury in the body--you've got to be productive before you can be reproductive," began David Pugh, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, Dipl. ACVN, a professor of reproduction at Auburn University, in his presentation, "Nutrition and Its Effects on Reproduction" at the Hagyard-Davidson-McGee Bluegrass Equine Reproduction Symposium Oct. 23-26, 2002, ... Read full story
 11/11/2002
Purina Veterinary Conference  *
Only 20 miles from downtown St. Louis, Mo., is a 1,200-acre research farm owned by the nutrition company Purina Mills. On Oct. 3-5, 140-plus veterinarians and another 50 Purina Mills representatives gathered to tour that research facility and hear speakers lecture on various topics during the Purina Mills Veterinary Nutritional Conference. Three of ... Read full story
 10/16/2002
Eastern Tent Caterpillars Cause Early Fetal Loss  *
A recent study funded by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, and several other entities, identified an association between the administration of starved Eastern Tent Caterpillars (ETC) and early pregnancy loss in the mare. The study had support from Taylor Made Farm, Ernie Paragallo, Fasig-Tipton Co. and the Kentucky ... Read full story
 6/11/2002
Feeding Laminitic Broodmares
My best friend's broodmare has unilateral laminitis (laminitis in one front hoof); she is a 19-year-old Quarter Horse and is currently five months pregnant. The concern is what to feed her to keep the foal healthy, and to keep her from suffering further damage. We cannot find any resources that cover both the pregnancy and laminitis issues. ... Read full story
 6/1/2002
Mycotoxin Binders Not Labeled Legally  *
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the claims made by some feed products that they contain mycotoxin binders is illegal. In Kentucky last year, many feeds and supplements were touted as having mycotoxin binders in the face of mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS). Kentucky feed regulators now are encouraging manufacturers to discontinue those ... Read full story
 4/12/2002
Feeding Broodmares   *
The broodmare goes through three phases of reproduction--early gestation, late gestation, and lactation. Mares in good body condition cycle earlier in the year, require fewer cycles per conception, have a higher pregnancy rate, and are able to maintain pregnancies better than thin mares. Management of the mare's body condition should be supported by ... Read full story
 3/1/2002
Fescue Field Management   *
It is estimated that 35 million acres of United States pasture are planted with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), and roughly 700,000 horses graze these fescue pastures. This plant is a cool-season plant, so it grows in cooler climates, is tolerant of poor drainage and poor soil, and has a good regrowth after grazing. It also lasts longer into cool ... Read full story
 3/1/2002
Reproductive Challenges: Barren Mares  *
The anticipation and jubilation surrounding the arrival of the first foals of the new year have come for many of us. It is interesting how transient that celebration is. In fact, we are applauding Mother Nature and the victories of last year's early breeding endeavors and realize the next contest is about to begin anew and in earnest. We have a fresh ... Read full story
 10/16/2001
Late Gestation Mare Management  *
The final months of a mare's gestation period are anxious ones. As an owner during those final weeks, one is filled with anticipation now that the date of birth is approaching. At the same time, there are those disquieting concerns about potential complications and the worry as to whether you have done everything necessary during the pregnancy to ensure ... Read full story
 10/15/2001
Risk Management for MRLS in 2002 Detailed; Cause Still Unconfirmed  *
Researchers have not pinpointed the cause of mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS), but on Tuesday night they gave Central Kentucky farm managers some proactive steps in hopes of preventing its effects next year. Dr. Scott Smith, the dean of the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture, presented suggestions to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm ... Read full story
 10/5/2001
The Essential Elements of Equine Reproduction  *
Understanding some of the evolutionary history of horses is helpful when pondering their reproductive complexities. After evolving into a grazing animal with great agility and speed (about a million years ago), the modern horse migrated to various parts of the Earth in response to changing physical and weather conditions. After near-extinction 10,000 ... Read full story
 6/1/2001
Fescue Toxicosis And Treatment  *
When tall fescue first arrived in the United States during the 1940s, it was considered a wonder grass. It was easy to establish, it yielded a good amount of forage, it was tolerant of a wide range of management regimens, and it could handle a variety of climatic conditions as well as sustain heavy foot traffic. Farmers and ranchers embraced the new ... Read full story
 7/1/2000
Mares Which Fail To Show Estrus  *
During her heat cycle, a mare typically and obviously demonstrates estrus when in the presence of a stallion by flirtatious behavior and physical changes of her genitalia. However, many natural factors -- as well as disorders -- can affect the estrous cycle and the mare's ability to show heat. Pregnancy, lactating anestrus, winter anestrus, behavioral ... Read full story
 1/1/2000
Breeding the Older Mare  *
By the time a broodmare enters her late teens and early 20s, her reproductive ability begins to decline, and getting and keeping her pregnant become more problematic. The causes of reproductive difficulties in the older mare are numerous, but in many situations, good management, accurate diagnostics, and appropriate medical or surgical therapies can ... Read full story
 12/1/1999
Eating For Two  *
No one ever said mothering was easy. As your broodmare gets closer and closer to her due date, you've been noting, with some satisfaction, her bulging belly, her increasingly matronly attitude, and the look of lazy contentment in her eyes. But while she might look relaxed on the outside, inside, her growing foal is making ever-increasing demands on ... Read full story
 3/1/1999
Sub-Fertile Mares  *
A broodmare which fails to conceive or carry a foal to term can be an emotional and financial liability. For the backyard breeder, the liability might be primarily emotional, when that special mare you wanted to produce your next trail horse or hunter simply doesn't do so. For the commercial breeder, there might be emotional trauma, but more importantly ... Read full story
 2/1/1998
Hidden Dangers: Endophyte-Infested Fescue  *
When it first arrived on the scene in the United States during the early 1940s, tall fescue was considered a wonder grass. It was easy to establish, it was a good forage yielder, and it was tolerant of a wide range of management regimens. In short, it was a very tough grass that could stand heavy grazing and a high rate of animal foot traffic under ... Read full story
 3/1/1997




AAEP Media Partner AAEVT Partner WEVA
Seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.

Facebook | Twitter | RSS | Site Map | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2009 BLOOD-HORSE PUBLICATIONS. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without written permission of BLOOD-HORSE PUBLICATIONS is prohibited. THE HORSE, THE HORSE logo, THEHORSE.COM and THEHORSE.COM logo are trademarks of BLOOD-HORSE PUBLICATIONS.