What nutrients does a pregnant mare need?
During the last 90 days of pregnancy, mares should be fed crude protein at 10%, digestible energy 1.2 Mcal/lb, 0.45% calcium, 0.35% phosphorus, and 1,150 IU/lb vitamin A. Of course, overnutrition is more likely to a problem than undernutrition in thoroughbreds and quarter horses.
What vaccinations does a pregnant mare need?
The mare should be vaccinated for Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus, influenza and tetanus at the beginning of pregnancy. A booster should be given one month prior to foaling to increase the antibody level in the mare’s colostrum (first milk) and help protect the newborn foal from disease.
What do you do with a pregnant horse?
Pregnant mares can be hauled safely; however, she needs to be comfortable loading, has suitable bedding, fresh water, and hay. It is also essential that the horse trailer is clean, disinfected, and has ample ventilation. Don’t haul a pregnant mare within 30 days of her due date.
What is the best hay for pregnant mares?
Alfalfa hay should also be included to balance her protein needs. Alfalfa should never be fed exclusively (due to potential mineral imbalances). Strive for a 60:40 ratio of grass hay to alfalfa hay. The fetus gains 1 pound per day during these final three gestational months.
Can pregnant mares eat timothy hay?
Mares fed timothy hay were able to eat enough hay to meet their protein requirements in mid-gestation, but not in late gestation.
Is alfalfa safe for pregnant mares?
The short answer is yes, it is perfectly acceptable to feed your mares alfalfa hay. If the hay is moderate quality or better, your mares will likely have no trouble maintaining their weight.
Can foals eat alfalfa?
Grass, the most natural of equine foods, should always be available when foals are turned out, and hay should be provided in the stall. Alfalfa (lucerne) or an alfalfa/grass mix will provide both energy and calcium for sound skeletal development.
Can you feed a horse too much alfalfa?
It can be detrimental, however, to horses with impaired kidneys or liver. “In California there are many cutting, reining, and other performance horses that eat a lot of alfalfa hay (due to its wide availability) and balancer pellets, and that’s their entire diet and they do fine.”
Can Lucerne cause colic?
Diets high in protein and nitrogen such as those high in Lucerne can increase the incidence of enterolith formation, as can diets which alter the pH of the intestine. Displacements of the large colon will result in colic.
Can Horse Colic be prevented?
Horses are prone to colic and many types of colic aren’t preventable. But you can take some simple steps to ensure your horse is at the lowest possible risk for colic. Above all, be a proactive owner. These measures should reduce colic risk, but don’t guarantee to eliminate it.