Mares that are in-foal have quite different nutritional needs to other equines, and the horse feeds they are supplied with must be considered carefully. The energy requirements of the mare will skyrocket as the foal grows, particularly in the eighth and ninth months, and also when she begins to produce milk. The energy levels required can reach almost double the amount normally required. The amount of protein she needs to consume also goes up, for the same reasons. Obviously, these changing needs must be reflected in the horse feeds that the mare is receiving.
New Zealand is lucky enough to have good supplies of grass, which can provide many of the nutritional requirements demanded by an in foal mare. However, most will still need additional hard horse feeds, such as a broodmare or stud mix., to provide for the growth of the foal in the final few months of pregnancy and to help her produce milk once her offspring has arrived. It can be a good idea to test the nutritional content of grass, to help determine how much extra is needed, as far as nutrients goes. Many local equine and livestock vets can carry out this testing service for horse owners.
For the majority of the pregnancy, the mare can continue to be fed the horse feeds she has always been provided with. However, an especially thin mare will need to be receiving extra rations, or the foal's health will be negatively impacted and it will struggle to grow. Mares that are overweight will need to have their horse feeds carefully managed and continually monitored to ensure they don't become obese or fonder. This can also have a damaging effect on the foal and make it difficult for the mare to both carry her foal comfortably and give birth once the time comes.
It can be tempting to add a little bit of this and a little bit of that when feeding the pregnant mare, but do try to keep her horse feeds simple. Settle on a good concentrate product, that is trusted and it won't be necessary to throw in any other vitamins and supplements. Far too many mare owners overdo it when it comes to additives and extras, but it is rarely ever beneficial. At the very best, the mare will simply expel anything she doesn't need. On top of that, the more that owners put into her horse feeds, the more likely the diet will end up unbalanced and ineffective. If the owner is at all unsure, they should consult a reputable equine nutritionist or horse feed company for advice.
Finally, remember that water is one of the most important aspects of a horse feed regime. Intake of water can double while a mare is providing for a foal at foot so ensure a clean, fresh supply of water is available 24/7.
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