Nutrition
A mare should gain 9-12% of her original weight during the pregnancy (includes fetus, placenta, fluids). A 1100# mare should gain between 100-130# during gestation . However, two thirds of the total weight gain occurs during the final three months of gestation. During the last three months of gestation the broodmare's energy needs progressively increase by 10 to 20% , almost twice the calcium and phosphorus and 1.3 times the protein. Young mare that are still growing will require additional energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus.
The copper content of the mare's diet in late pregnancy
directly effects fetal bone development. Selenium is important in muscle
function. The lack of Se in soils used to grow forages may lead to white
muscle disease in foals. Only limited amounts of Se cross the placenta
so pregnant mares should be supplemented from late gestation through lactation,
or foals should be supplemented at birth. Mare's milk is known to be low
in Se so injectable Vitamin E and Se may be given after birth.
| Digestible Energy (Mcal/lb) |
Crude Protein (%) |
Ca |
P |
|
| Maintenance* | 1.10 |
9.6 |
0.29 |
0.21 |
| Pregnant | ||||
|
1.00 |
10.0 |
0.43 |
0.32 |
|
1.00 |
10.0 |
0.43 |
0.32 |
|
1.10 |
10.6 |
0.45 |
0.32 |
| Lactating | ||||
0-3 months |
1.20 |
13.2 |
0.52 |
0.34 |
3 months to wean |
1.15 |
11.0 |
0.33 |
0.22 |
Adapted from the National Research
Council, Nutrient Requirements of the Horse, 5th revised edition,
1989 (Dry matter basis) |
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