BROODMARES
Brood mares are often left out in the paddock until it’s time for the stallion or semen delivery and left again until it gets near the time for foaling. Since they are the mother of your new addition their health will reflect in the health of the foal. The growing foal will start to draw on the mare’s resources in the third trimester of pregnancy so good supplementation is really important, for example the demand for calcium will be drawn out of the mare’s cells if insufficient is arriving via the placenta to the foal.
A mare in her third trimester and also when lactating to provide milk for the foal until its weaned is “working” as hard as a race horse or performance sport horse in full training. A good formula of minerals is required as even good pasture will not provide enough, extra vitamins are not required in normal grazing conditions except for Vitamin E, and again this is supplemented as it will pass through the placenta to the foal.
As the conditions get warmer then electrolytes should be added to a small balanced feed of fibre and fat and carbohydrates.
HELP RESOURCES
Vitamin E Supplement for Horses
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Care of the Orphan Foal
It is tragic when the mare dies during or soon after foaling. However with veterinary assistance and good care it is possible to successfully raise
Preparation for Birth- Who gives the signal
Eleven months, eleven days have passed quickly. It didn’t seem long ago that the stud master had phoned to say that your mare had been
Nutrition for Brood Mares
When Grass is Never Enough and a Foal Needs a Good Start in Life What Does the Pregnant Mare Need? A foal needs a good
Copper, Chromium & Selenium – Three Essential Trace Elements
Trace elements are essential for normal body function. They are involved in the enzyme systems that control the many biochemical reactions that take place within
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