Madeleine Hull
A horse's diet is complex and depends on factors such as age, weight, gender, stress levels, and pregnancy status. Pregnant mares have unique nutritional needs to support their growing fetus, and their diet must be adjusted to account for this. For instance, calcium and phosphorus requirements change during pregnancy, and it is important to ensure the horse receives these in the correct proportions. Additionally, it is recommended that pregnant mares are fed a grain mix or supplement containing quality protein sources to meet amino acid requirements for optimal foal development. However, it is important to be cautious when adjusting a horse's diet, as some foods can be harmful or even deadly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dietary recommendations | The National Resource Council's Nutrient Requirements of Horses Sixth Revised Edition 2007 recommends a diet based on the mare's maintenance requirement and the foetal growth curve. |
| Calories | Pregnant mares need extra calories to stay warm, maintain body condition, and support foal development. |
| Nutrients | Protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are essential for foal development and should be included in the mare's diet. |
| Forage | Good quality forage provides sufficient calories, but additional nutrients may be required. |
| Hay | Premium-quality hay, such as dairy alfalfa, is recommended for pregnant mares as it is rich in essential nutrients and fibres. |
| Supplements | CMV (Mineral and Vitamin Supplement), salt stone, and clean water should be provided. |
| Weight management | Thin mares should gain weight during late gestation, while overweight mares should be provided with a balanced diet to support foal development without causing further weight gain. |
| Feeding frequency | The feeding frequency may vary depending on the season and the availability of rich spring grass. |
| Dental care | Regular dental care is essential for pregnant mares to properly assimilate their rations. |
| Environmental factors | Environmental conditions, such as the weather and access to forage, may impact the mare's dietary needs. |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of balanced nutrition
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the horse is getting enough calories. If a mare is thin during pregnancy, it is important to feed her enough calories so that she gains weight, especially if she is to be bred again. This is because it is very difficult to put weight on a lactating mare, and thinner mares are less likely to get back in foal. In addition, late gestation is the last good opportunity to get a thin mare in good shape for supplying milk for her foal. Therefore, it is recommended to select a feed that is calorie and nutrient-dense.
Secondly, it is crucial to provide the horse with sufficient protein, vitamins, and minerals. Research has shown that foal birth weight can be negatively impacted when mares are not fed adequate protein during late gestation. In addition, the mare's milk may be devoid of trace minerals that are essential for proper bone development in the foal, such as copper. Therefore, providing the mare with adequate minerals is critical for normal foetal development.
Thirdly, it is important to be mindful of the environment in which the horse is kept. For example, mares that are foaling in January and February in a harsh winter environment may need extra calories to stay warm and maintain body condition. On the other hand, late-foaling mares in Kentucky are at greater risk for foaling problems related to endophyte-infected tall fescue. Thus, the feeding program should take into account the environment in which the horse is kept.
Finally, it is paramount to ensure that the pregnant horse avoids harmful foods. Many plants are harmful or even deadly to horses, and pregnant mares are particularly vulnerable to their toxic effects. For example, endophyte-infected tall fescue can cause prolonged pregnancy, difficulty foaling, and agalactia (no milk production). Therefore, it is important to consult with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian to ensure that the pregnant horse's diet is safe and provides the necessary nutrients.
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Weight management
During the early stages of gestation, most mares can continue their pre-pregnancy nutritional program, consuming a balanced diet based on high-quality forage. This typically constitutes 1-2% of their body weight daily. However, as the foal grows, its nutritional requirements increase, and dietary adjustments become necessary.
By the fifth month of gestation, it is recommended to implement dietary changes to ensure the mare and foal receive essential nutrients. The National Research Council (NRC) provides guidelines for nutrient requirements, taking into account the mare's maintenance needs and the fetal growth curve. Adjustments to the diet may include increasing protein, vitamin, and mineral intake, as these are crucial for optimal foal development.
For overweight mares, it is important to provide sufficient nutrients without adding unnecessary calories. In such cases, a concentrated protein, vitamin, and mineral supplement designed for controlled intake can be beneficial. Restricting hay intake may also be necessary to manage weight while ensuring proper nutrition.
It is worth noting that a sudden change in a horse's diet can lead to health issues such as colic. Therefore, any dietary transitions should be gradual, typically introduced over a period of 2 to 4 weeks, allowing the horse's digestive system, particularly the microbes in the hindgut, to adapt to the new feed sources.
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Nutritional requirements
The nutritional requirements of a pregnant horse will change throughout its pregnancy. During the tenth month of gestation, for example, the greatest amount of mineral retention occurs in the foal, so adequate mineral supplementation is critical for normal foetal development.
Pregnant mares require a diet that provides energy for the mother and supports the expected growth curve of the foetus. The nutritional requirements of the mare will also depend on the time of year and the environment. For example, early-foaling mares in harsh winter environments will need extra calories to stay warm and maintain body condition.
High-quality hay, such as dairy alfalfa, is foundational for pregnant mare diets, as it is rich in essential nutrients and fibres. However, it is important to note that not all feedstuffs are beneficial, and some can be harmful or even deadly. Endophyte-infected tall fescue, for instance, can cause prolonged pregnancy, difficulty foaling, and agalactia. It is also important to avoid foods high in sugar and starch, as these can cause metabolic issues such as insulin resistance and increase the risk of laminitis.
In addition to hay, pregnant mares may be fed a grain mix or supplement containing quality protein sources to meet amino acid requirements for optimal foal development. It is important to ensure that the diet includes balanced protein levels, as excessive protein intake can strain the mare's kidneys and liver. Similarly, calcium and phosphorus imbalances can lead to developmental problems in the foal, so these should be provided in the correct proportions.
Lactating mares have almost double the nutritional needs, especially in protein, and their calcium and phosphorus needs can triple. As such, it is important to ensure they have access to plenty of clean water and the opportunity to draw on their reserves in case of deficiency.
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Harmful foods to avoid
It is paramount to provide a pregnant horse with a balanced diet and avoid harmful foods to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a strong foal.
- Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to horses. It can lead to colic, seizures, or even death.
- Onions and garlic contain disulfides and thiosulfates, which can damage red blood cells and lead to conditions like hemolytic anemia.
- Caffeinated foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, and cola, can overstimulate the nervous system, causing irregular heart rhythms and disrupting the mare's metabolism.
- Avocados contain persin, which can cause myocardial necrosis (death of heart muscle cells) and mammary gland inflammation in mares.
- Fruit pits and seeds from apples, cherries, and peaches contain cyanogenic compounds, which can lead to cyanide poisoning.
- High-sugar feeds should be avoided.
- Toxic plants such as endophyte-infected tall fescue, which is one of the primary concerns for pregnant mares. This type of fescue contains toxins that can cause prolonged pregnancy, difficulty foaling, agalactia (no milk production), and thickened placenta, endangering both the mare and foal. Ragwort, which contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, resulting in liver damage. Bracken fern and horsetail, which contain thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine (vitamin B1), leading to neurological symptoms and compromising both the mare and foal's health.
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The role of an equine nutritionist
Equine nutritionists also help horse owners detect and address potential issues in horse management or the origin of specific conditions, such as weight loss or poor performance. They can provide on-farm consultation services and horse evaluations, taking weight and body score measurements, and can advise on how to adjust diets in relation to specific needs, taking into account body score, age, and underlying health issues. For example, they can advise on how to adjust the diet of a pregnant mare to ensure optimal foal development.
To become an equine nutritionist, one must attain solid credentials through a graduate degree such as a Master's or Doctorate in equine nutrition or animal science. The role requires a meticulous nature, math skills, attention to detail, good interpersonal skills, and excellent problem-solving skills. Employment opportunities include working for feed mills or feed companies in research and development, or as an independent nutrition consultant for breeding and training facilities and individual horse owners.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a horse's diet needs to change when pregnant. A balanced diet is integral to a successful gestation, reducing the likelihood of complications such as colic, laminitis, or developmental disorders in the foal. From the seventh month, the growth of the fetus accelerates, and the brood mare's food requirements will need to change to accommodate this, especially in terms of proteins.
It is important to provide adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals to support optimal fetal development. The unborn foal will experience a major growth spurt in the last three months of gestation, so the mare's nutritional needs change enormously during this time. During the tenth month of gestation, the greatest amount of mineral retention occurs in the unborn foal. Therefore, adequate mineral supplementation is critical for normal fetal development.
Many plants are harmful or even deadly to horses, but pregnant mares are particularly vulnerable to their toxic effects. Endophyte-infected tall fescue can cause prolonged pregnancy, difficulty foaling, agalactia, and thickened placentas. Ragwort causes liver damage, and bracken fern and horsetail contain thiaminase, which leads to neurological issues. Bread can also cause digestive issues.
