“OTB” 14% Breeder Horse Ration is formulated to feed lactating broodmares six weeks before rebreeding. A broodmare is expected to produce a foal, foal out and feed this foal for six months and get rebred all in about eleven months. Proper nutrition is critical to ensure proper heat and ensure the mare’s success as a broodmare. A number of studies suggest broodmares in good or fleshy condition, cycle earlier, have higher pregnancy rates and maintain pregnancy more successfully than thin mares. Nutrition is critical for healthy broodmares. Proper broodmare nutrition must be concerned with the amounts and balance of energy, protein, Vitamin A, D and E, and minerals like calcium, phosphorous, iodine, copper, magnesium, zinc and cobalt.
A broodmare goes through 3 stages, each with unique demands on nutrition.
1. Early to Mid gestation
Fetus growth here is slow, thus feeding is similar to regular maintenance providing the mare is in good condition.
2. Late gestation
Fetus growth is very rapid with gains as much as 1 lb /day so nutritional demands are high. Increased protein and energy are important to aid in the rapid development of the foal. Increased demand for calcium and phosphorus are critical. Feeding a concentrated ration like 14% Breeder Horse ration is important at this stage because the mare’s feed intake capacity is reduced and she can not eat a large amount of forage. You will also want Breeder ration before the foal is born. Feeding for proper skeletal structure will allow the mare to meet the nutritional demands of the unborm foal at this stage.
3. Lactation
Producing
milk requires 2 times the protein and the energy of just maintaining a mare. To
avoid off feed or feed adjustments, it is best to introduce 14% Breeder Ration
prior to foaling in late gestation.
How much should I
feed?
“OTB” 14% Breeder Horse Ration should be fed at 5- 11 lbs/ day. (1100 lb horse) The feed is fortified with 14% protein, high energy and a vitamin balance to ensure a balanced diet. Feeding a high quality mineral with chelated copper, manganese, zinc and cobalt like the “OTB” Equine Endurance Premix is highly recommended for broodmares at the last stage of pregnancy due to the rapid growth of the foal.
The weight of the foal on the digestive tract requires the mare to need small amounts of feed more often. Increase the amount fed to the mare to 7 to 12 lbs /day for an 1100 lb horse at foaling. It is recommended that feeding rate be split in two separate feeding. After 3 months of lactation, the milk production will decrease. One can slowly reduce the amount of 14% Breeder Horse ration at this time until the foal is weaned
All horses should be fed dust-free good quality hay or pasture. Always allow free choice access to clean water and salt.
Feeding the Stallion
Millions of dollars are spent on stallion breeding in Canada. Choices for the right stallion to complement the mare are often made by how the appearance and performance of the stallion. Stallions can spend a great deal of energy through anxiety and worry behaviour during the breeding season. Maintaining weight can be the biggest challenge with breeding stallions so the amount of energy or caloric intake is critical. The level of energy in the 14% Breeder Horse Ration is sufficient to maintain weight of the breeding stallion when used as recommended. The protein content and mineral balance is also important to ensure a balanced fortified equine diet.
How much should I feed?
Stallions should receive 8 -14 lb/day/stallion during the breeding season. Body conditioning prior to the season is important. If the stallion is in poor weight coming in to the breeding season, he is not likely to gain any weight during the breeding season. It is best to feed the stallion 6 weeks prior to breeding season to ensure good body condition. The actual feeding level will be determined by the quality of the forage, level and intensity of the work and the condition of the stallion. Always allow free choice access to clean water, salt and an excellent quality equine mineral.