Feeding the Mare After Foaling
Following on from our article on feeding the broodmare during gestation, here we take a look at what changes should be made once the foal is born and the mare is lactating. The key point to note is that producing milk requires energy, and lots of it. The energy requirements of the post-partum mare increase significantly from her energy requirements during gestation. To put this simply, she needs to consume a lot more food to enable adequate milk production and maintain her body condition. A premium breeding feed, such as Pegasus Studmaster, accommodates this need, and the feed quantity can be increased accordingly. Ensuring the mare’s energy requirements are met is not only important for her suckling foal, but also for her overall health status, and her fertility if she is going back in foal for the next season. Underweight mares will often struggle to conceive.
Providing proper nutrition all year round, through gestation and lactation, is a great management tool to help achieve the best outcome from the year-long breeding journey. Ensuring the mare’s nutritional needs are met, and that she is in excellent health in the lead up to foaling, contributes to antibody-rich colostrum to support the foal at birth. Once the foal is born, the focus is on providing for the mare so that she can best provide for her foal. Aside from energy, protein, essential amino acids, and vitamins and minerals are all required to support the mare’s needs, as well as her foal’s. Careful attention needs to be given to the protein content of her diet, which forms the building blocks for growth. A deficiency in protein can result in slow, stunted growth and development.
Most mares will compromise their own energy needs to support their foal. That means that weight loss in a lactating mare is a good indicator that the energy (feed) intake of her diet is insufficient, and adjustments may need to be made.
Quick Tip: if mares are paddocked in a herd, it is important to notice if any mares are being chased off their feed by their more dominant paddock mates and address this accordingly.
How much to feed?
A mare in lactation can consume up to 3% (dry matter) of her bodyweight in feed per day. That means a 500kg mare could consume 15kg of feed per day. For a thoroughbred, that would typically consist of 5-6kg of a breeding feed, such as Pegasus Studmaster, along with 1-2kg lucerne hay/chaff and 7-8kg of hay (or dry matter pasture). The table below shows an average feed program for a 500kg broodmare.
Managing Growth
During early lactation, the mare produces milk to support the foal during a period of rapid growth and development. When it comes to growth, steady, consistent development is vital to reduce the risk of developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD). Overweight foals, or excessive weight gain, should be avoided. After the first few weeks of life the foal may start nibbling on the mare’s feed. It is important to be aware that, as the foal eats more and more of the feed, there will be less available for the mare. Some mares will willingly share feed with their foals, whilst others will not. As the mare/foal approach late lactation, offering a ‘creep’ feed for the foal is a great option to manage feed intake of the mare and foal as individuals.
Additional supplements?
Targeted supplementation to support reproductive health in mares may also be beneficial. Studies suggest that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EO.3) can improve mare fertility parameters, colostrum quality and promote passive transfer of antibodies from the mare to the foal. Vitamin E (Nano-E) is an important antioxidant that can combat reactive oxidative species and enhance immunity in mares and foals. Supplementing with natural-source vitamin E in the weeks prior to foaling can increase the mare’s circulating IgG, or antibodies.
For assistance planning a feeding program suited to lactating mares, contact our Equine Nutrition Advisor, Michelle Meylan.