Spring has sprung and the equine breeding season is now in full swing. We have put together a useful guide for mare owners to enable them to provide the best nutritional support to their beloved four-legged mummy-to-be!
March has arrived which means, in the equine world, the breeding season is now well underway. As a result, it can be a stressful time for mare owners between pre-foaling preparation, the actual event of foaling and then all the associated aftercare of both mare and foal. A broodmare’s nutritional requirements will vary throughout the breeding cycle and aiming to achieve this balance is decided by the condition of the mare and her due date for foaling.
Forage Intake
Throughout the entire season, broodmares need to have access to high quality forage which can be fed on an ad-lib basis. Owners are advised to ensure their broodmare maximises forage intake to safeguard the fibre and starch requirements in the diet are met. In winter all horses require more forage as they use the energy to keep warm in the cold weather – this is especially important for in-foal mares as they are eating for two!
Concentrate Feed
Throughout the breeding cycle, pregnant mares require a variety of nutrients that may not be met by feeding of forage alone. Therefore, to ensure the correct nutritional support is met, a concentrated feed is needed. The developing foetus also increases the need for protein, vitamins and micronutrients in the broodmare. Each mare is unique so consult an equine nutritional advisor who can tailor a balanced feeding regime to individual requirements.
Gut Health
In all horses, not just broodmares, a healthy gut ensures that dietary nutrients can be digested efficiently to maximise intake and utilisation. This is vital for the pregnant mare as she need to achieve maximum nutrient absorption for herself and the developing foetus. A live yeast supplement is the ideal way to achieve gut health. The yeast optimises fibre digestibility, which helps to reduce concentrated feed requirements, and results in more efficient use of vitamins and minerals. This is particularly important for pregnant mares as they need maximum use of micronutrients such as phosphorus, iron and zinc to name a few. Gut microbiomes are central to a heathy immune system, which is vital for overall health and during the breeding cycle. The inclusion of the prebiotic Mannooligosaccharide (MOS) in equine supplements helps to support the immune system of the in-foal mare. Studies show that MOS improves the antibody concentrations in colostrum (IgG levels). Therefore, is it essential to include supplementation for gut health in pregnant mares.
Gut Gold
Gut Gold is a nutritional supplement which contains pre and probiotics, making it ideal for in-foal mares. Gut Gold is a live yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) formulation that also includes MOS to ensure healthy gut microbiome. The formulation of Gut Gold supports efficient digestion as well as strengthens the immune system – it is the ideal supplement for the pregnant mare to ensure all her supplementation needs are met. Gut Gold can contribute to a heathy mare both pre- and post-foaling. For more information, please see here or call 051 304010
