What do you feed a broodmare?
Good-quality alfalfa or alfalfa-grass hays are suitable for lactating mares. Good-quality pasture is also an excellent forage source, and hay may not be necessary when pasture is abundant. Broodmares should be fed a concentrate that is formulated for the needs of mares and foals.
What minerals does a pregnant mare need?
Look for a balanced mineral supplement with 30% protein, at least 4% calcium, and 3% phosphorus. Copper should be 250 to 300 ppm, zinc approximately three times higher. Starting at six months of pregnancy, feed your mare ½ pound per day in addition to whatever supplements her early pregnancy diet needed.
Can pregnant horses eat carrots?
An idle mature horse (1,100 lbs) has a Vitamin A requirement of 15,000 IU while a pregnant or lactating broodmare has about double that requirement. While carrots are high in vitamin A (about 2,000 IU per large carrot), they are also high in water content (90%).
Is beet pulp good for pregnant horses?
Alfalfa chaff and beet pulp are excellent sources of energy. They are both very high in calcium and would compliment a cereal diet, but not balance it. They would also compliment forage with a low calcium/high phosphorus levels.
What percentage of carbohydrates does a pregnant mare need?
A lactating mare usually requires between 2 and 3 percent of her body weight in total feed (hay + grain) daily.
What are the essential nutrients needed by the horse for its maintenance work and reproduction?
What Nutrients Does a Horse Need?
- Water. Water is by far the most important nutrient, and is most often overlooked.
- Protein. Protein’s main function as a nutrient is to provide the building blocks for tissues, muscle, hormones, and enzymes.
- Fats and Carbohydrates.
- Minerals.
- Vitamins.
Does my horse really need supplements?
When he might need more: Vitamin A supplementation is rarely necessary unless your horse has no access to green forage. If you have fertility problems with your mare or if she’s pregnant but lacks access to pasture or good, green hay, vitamin A supplementation might be recommended.