During pregnancy, lactation, and the early growth phase of the foal, nutrition plays a crucial role. Lack of attention or an incorrect diet can lead to poor outcomes. That’s why this article emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition for feeding a pregnant mare and rearing healthy foals. Below, we provide additional information and feeding tips for rearing and lactation periods, as well as selecting pregnant mare feed.

Feed to Support Mare’s Fertility

To support fertility, mares require a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A is particularly important for a mare’s ability to give foals. Thus, a deficiency in vitamin A can lead to poor fertility. Vitamin A is derived from beta-carotene, which is abundant in grass, lucerne, and carrots. However, lucerne is also rich in vitamin E and folic acid (vitamin B11). Therefore, adding extra lucerne, such as Hartog Lucerne Mix, to the diet can improve the quality of the mare’s diet and support normal fertility. It can be especially helpful in winter and early spring when mares are not yet grazing, which asks for additional vitamin E.

Pregnant Mare Feed

Feeding a mare in foal, in other words, a pregnant mare, requires special nutrition during the last three months of pregnancy and throughout the lactation period of the newborn foal. During this time, the mare’s body uses significantly more protein and energy. In fact, during lactation, the need for protein and energy doubles.

Key minerals for feeding a pregnant mare include:

• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Copper
• Zinc and Manganese

These minerals are essential for the growth and development of the unborn foal and contribute to improved digestion. The roughage used in Hartog feeds is grown on nutrient-rich clay soils, naturally providing a wide range of minerals. Nonetheless, Hartog Lucerne Mix is particularly well-suited as a pregnant mare feed due to its high calcium content, which supports the mare’s condition and the bone development of the unborn foal.

Mare’s Nutritional Needs in Lactation

During the first months of milk production, also known as lactation, a 600 kg mare uses approximately 1115 grams of protein (VREp) per day. For comparison, a 600 kg mare used only for recreational riding requires about 365 grams of protein (VREp) per day. This means the protein requirements for a lactating mare’s diet at least double!

Proper nutrition during these stages sets the foundation for a healthy, strong foal and supports the well-being of the mare. The Hartog Lucerne Mix can be an excellent addition to mare and foal feed to meet the increased protein demands and ensure that both the mare and the foal receive the necessary nutrients.

Roughage Feed for Foals

It’s common for mares to share feed with their foals. Therefore, by giving mares roughage-based feed, the foal can get introduced to fiber-rich feed at an early age. This early exposure helps the foal’s digestive system adapt to processing healthy, fiber-rich feeds, promoting efficient digestion as they grow. This foundation supports a healthy intestinal balance from a young age, reducing the risk of conditions like eczema and other gut-related issues later in life. Hartog Lucerne Mix can be perfectly combined with mare pellets or colostrum. Plus, it can be an ideal roughage feed for young horses as it’s rich in calcium and provides essential amino acids such as lysine and methionine, which are crucial for muscle development and growth.

Horse Feed for Broodmares

As mentioned above, Hartog Lucerne Mix can be a benefitial addition to the horse’s ration during pregnancy, lactation, and the rearing of young horses. The high calcium content of Lucerne Mix, along with its folic acid and β-carotene, provides essential nutrients for fertility and reproduction. Nevertheless, during gestation and lactation, maintaining a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is vital for the mare’s overall condition and the bone development of the unborn foal. With high calcium content and essential amino acids, Hartog Lucerne Mix supports optimal skeletal and muscle development. Moreover, some research suggests that calcium intake also positively impacts postnatal recovery of the mare. Nonetheless, the importance of feeding a pregnant mare the right mix of nutrients cannot be overstated for achieving a healthy foal and mare condition.