When it comes to feeding mares and foals, it appears that the line between ignorance and heartache is remarkably thin

Seven tips to a Healthy Mare and Foal.

Alexa Linton, Equine Sport Therapist, Bsc. Kin

Published in Island Horse Magazine

When it comes to feeding mares and foals, it appears that the line between ignorance and heartache is remarkably thin. As a relative newcomer to this aspect of the horse world, and a potential surrogate mother to my mare in the coming years, I decided to search for the answer to this burning and surprisingly complex question:

How do we need to be feeding our mom’s and little ones?

It turns out that this practice at its best is the perfect blend between art and science and at its worse can be devastating to both mare and foal. Achieving the perfect balance of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can appear overwhelming to the most savvy of horse people. The sheer amount of information on the subject has led me to listing my seven top suggestions for a happy and healthy mare and foal.

(1) Take care of your mare

Remember that everything that goes into the mare also goes into the foal, so it is important to feed her appropriately. One constant is the need for good quality roughage as a large part of the diet of any mare. Forage is the most easily broken down in the body and the most natural for the sensitive digestive tract of the horse. Access to good pasture or great hay provides many of the nutrients needed for the majority of the gestation period (months 1-8), with the addition of a good vitamin-mineral supplement, salt and adequate water. Regular movement and play are also important to ensure a healthy heart and lungs, strong body and healthy internal systems. Lots of love, attention and grooming are also important to keep your mare emotionally balanced. Body condition is extremely important, and during gestation your mare should be looking well-fed and even plump. If this is not the case, caloric intake should increase accordingly through concentrated feed or grain, and protein supplementation may be necessary if the roughage provided is not an adequate source. Many sources recommend alfalfa and grass mixture, although the high protein content can be detrimental to the digestive tract. It is crucial to increase the intake of calories for your mare at specific times in her pregnancy. In months 9-11, or late gestation, the foal begins to grow at an accelerated rate. In fact, 60% of its birth weight is gained in the last 90 days of gestation. At this time it is necessary to increase the caloric intake dramatically to maintain body condition during this demanding time. The type of concentrated feed or grain used will change with each horse. Make sure you know what feeds your mare is compatible with before breeding and increase very slowly according to condition up to 1lb per 100lbs, with the total feed equally no more than 2.5lbs per 100lbs. Remember to never feed more than 5lbs of grain at a single feeding as this can exceed the capacity of the stomach and cause inadequately digested food to enter the small intestine, leading to a host of digestive problems and potential colic.

(2) Feed the nutrients they need

It is of utmost importance to the growth and development of your foal to receive certain key nutrients from their mother during and after pregnancy. Calcium and phosphorus are particularly important and intake by the mare should increase by 1.5 times normal requirements in the last 1/3 of gestation. These minerals should optimally be in a 1:1 ratio. Supplementation is often necessary but gradual changes (over a 2-week period) are key to maintaining the delicate balance of the digestive tract, which is even more sensitive during pregnancy. A high quality mineral supplement is very important to ensure a healthy, well-developing foal. If you are feeding a concentrated grain with vitamins and minerals added, make sure to check whether further supplementation is necessary. Remember as well to provide free access to salt and ensure adequate protein levels (not too much, not too little).

(3) Healthy Digestive Tract

The health of your mare is one of the most crucial aspects of welcoming a healthy foal into the world. Not only is it important to provide adequate nutrition, but many studies have demonstrated the positive effect of supplementing your mare with probiotics (healthy bacteria such as acidophilus and bifidus) or nutritional yeast to benefit digestive function and improve absorption of nutrients.

Probiotics replenish the bacteria in the gut which are responsible for breaking down and utilizing forage in the hindgut. In the foal, calcium and phosphorus are crucial for growth and development, and probiotics have been shown to improve absorption of these nutrients substantially. An optimally functioning digestive tract will improve assimilation of all nutrients, aid in weight gain, and improve the function of all systems and organs in both your mare and her foal. Foals by mares given probiotics showed a large increase in growth compared to other foals.

Making sure your feeds are low in refined sugars, contain good fats (canola, flax, sunflower) and healthful ingredients, and have balanced protein levels (not too much, not too little) can also be a great step towards long term digestive health for mare and foal. An equine professional can also be helpful in providing you with ways to keep your mare’s digestive system functioning optimally.

(5) Getting the essentials

Although not well studied in mares and foals, the addition of essential fatty acids to the diet of your mare may aid in healthy foal development. Small amounts of feeds such as fresh-ground flax are an easy way to promote optimal cellular function, joint, brain and heart health and a shiny coat in both mare and foal. Full of fibre and healthful oils, these feeds are a great way to add some calories without the negative effects of refined sugar or oils containing harmful trans-fats.

(6) Feed for your foal type

Just as for grown horses, it is important to feed for the breed and type of horse you will be working with. For a pony or draft mare for example, feeding sugary, high protein grains and feeds may not be optimal for her or her foal. This may also pre-dispose her foal to harmful metabolic disorders, colic or arthritic conditions as he may be starting life with a poor digestive tract, toxins or a lowered immune system. The foal may also lose out on the beneficial nutrients it needs for proper growth and development due to a decline in absorption. It is also important to understand what a foal will be used for. Feeding strategies for mare and foal may be very different for a racing thoroughbred used very early in life, than a pleasure horse who will be started later and optimally live a long and happy life. Remember that fast growth is not always optimal, as it can lead to an increase in the risk of joint disorders and structural imbalance. Consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about the growth rate of your foal.

(7) Feeding your foal right

After birth, a foal will rely on her mother for the majority of her nutrition. It is a crucial time for a mare, as it is very easy to lose condition during milk production, where a huge amount of energy is expended. Be sure to continue to feed her quality feed and forage during this time and monitor her weight regularly. For foals, it was recommended that dry feed sources such as grain be introduced within the first month using a process called “creeping”. This involves setting up a separate section of their paddock or field which only the foal is able to enter. In this way, your foal will be ready to move from mother’s milk to concentrated grain and forage when the time comes to wean. When choosing the grain for your foal it is important to consider nutrient levels, as well as the health effects of each component of the feed. Don’t always take advertising about a “foal” feed for truth. Find out yourself what exactly you are feeding and whether it is actually appropriate for your foal. For example, a feed containing molasses or cob can provide calories and energy, but may have detrimental effects to the immune and digestive systems. Again, the levels and ratios (1:1) of calcium and phosphorus are crucial to proper growth and development. It is important to ensure that these levels are supported by the grain which your foal is eating. Protein levels factor heavily into the proper growth and development of your foal. Do your research to ensure that the cumulative levels of protein is you are feeding are balanced for the optimal development of your foal. Both too much protein and too little can have detrimental effects in the long term.

Feeding your mare and foal is one of the most important steps in any breeding situation. Make sure to do your research, ask lots of questions, and study in depth the nutrients you are putting in your mare and foal. Like it or not, the positive or negative effects of this crucial time of development can have life-long implications. A little intuition, a caring heart, some logic, a lot of curiosity and an open mind are a great recipe for success in feeding your healthy and happy mare and foal. Happy Trails!