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Hay for Broadmares and foals
Forages that provide the best nutritional values necessary for the high demands of lactating broodmares and growing foals.
Feeding during the rearing phase is particularly important and the well-being of the horse throughout its life depends on it. For broodmares, protein and calcium requirements will be approximately multiplied by 3 between the start of gestation and peak lactation. The ration must be changed month by month according to the changing needs. The hay ration should be moderate but of excellent quality during gestation and then more generous during lactation. Hay for mares must be rich in protein, in order to ensure the development of the foal and lactation, without risking destroying their muscles. The fodder diet must be balanced in calcium and phosphorus so that the brood mare does not draw on its bone reserves and deform its skeleton.
The nutritional needs of broodmares are much higher than those of high level competition horses. If the quality of the hay is not sufficient, the mare risks deficiencies which will have an impact on the pregnant foal and on the quantity and quality of her milk production. This would adversely affect the development of the foal. Even if the foal cannot digest the fibers like an adult horse before 18 months, it will steal the forage from its mother around 5 months. It is therefore necessary to maintain a generous ration for the mare to avoid loss of condition. Mother’s milk provides energy and protein until weaning, hence the importance of high quality hay.
Forages that provide the best nutritional values necessary for the high demands of lactating broodmares and growing foals.
Feeding during the rearing phase is particularly important and the well-being of the horse throughout its life depends on it. For broodmares, protein and calcium requirements will be approximately multiplied by 3 between the start of gestation and peak lactation. The ration must be changed month by month according to the changing needs. The hay ration should be moderate but of excellent quality during gestation and then more generous during lactation. Hay for mares must be rich in protein, in order to ensure the development of the foal and lactation, without risking destroying their muscles. The fodder diet must be balanced in calcium and phosphorus so that the brood mare does not draw on its bone reserves and deform its skeleton.
The nutritional needs of broodmares are much higher than those of high level competition horses. If the quality of the hay is not sufficient, the mare risks deficiencies which will have an impact on the pregnant foal and on the quantity and quality of her milk production. This would adversely affect the development of the foal. Even if the foal cannot digest the fibers like an adult horse before 18 months, it will steal the forage from its mother around 5 months. It is therefore necessary to maintain a generous ration for the mare to avoid loss of condition. Mother’s milk provides energy and protein until weaning, hence the importance of high quality hay.
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