{"id":1561,"date":"2022-01-25T14:02:41","date_gmt":"2022-01-25T14:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gainanimalnutrition.com\/equine\/?p=1561"},"modified":"2024-01-22T14:52:57","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T14:52:57","slug":"feeding-the-broodmare-in-pregnancy-and-lactation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gainanimalnutrition.com\/equine\/feeding-the-broodmare-in-pregnancy-and-lactation\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeding the Broodmare in Pregnancy and Lactation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How important is nutrition in the stages of late pregnancy?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good nutrition is vital during a mare\u2019s pregnancy and lactation. It will ensure the best welfare for both the mare and the developing foal, it will maximise the return on investment and will speed up the return to the breeding shed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nutrition of the mare throughout her pregnancy is critical to ensure optimal skeletal development of the foal and quality colostrum production. Although the foetus only gains about 35% of its foaling weight in the first 7 months of pregnancy, a well-balanced diet will provide nutrients that can improve the health of the foal and ensure normal development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early pregnancy will often coincide with the availability of energy rich grass; excessive weight gain in early gestation is undesirable therefore, control grazing where necessary. Some ways to control access to pasture are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n