Proper Nutrition in the Late Gestation is Key

The final stage of gestation is a crucial time for the development of the fetus. At the end of gestation, from the 8th or 9th month until foaling, the mare’s nutritional needs continue to increase, and the feed ration must be adjusted accordingly. It is essential, among other things, to refine the mare’s body condition aiming for a score of 6 to 6.5 on a scale of 1 to 9 (Henneke). Due to the rapid growth of the upcoming foal, primarily its skeletal development, the end of gestation is the most critical stage of the mare’s reproductive cycle.

Essential Minerals

It is known that fetal development requires a high intake of several nutrients, including vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and manganese. Energy (calorie) and protein need also increase at this stage, but they are generally easy to meet by thoughtfully increasing the amount of feed served, provided that it is formulated with quality ingredients, including protein sources. However, at this stage — and this is what makes nutrition more complex — the need for certain minerals increases much more than the need for energy and protein. Take calcium and phosphorus, essential for healthy growth, as an example. Increasing the amount of feed served simply to meet the sustained needs for calcium and phosphorus is not a sensible choice since it inevitably leads to an excess of protein and energy in the diet, causing harm to the mare and the fetus she is carrying. However, ignoring this increased demand for calcium and phosphorus is detrimental to the mare, and eventually to the foal, because the mother will have to draw on her own bone reserves to meet the fetus’s significant needs for these two minerals. To address this uneven increase in nutrient requirements, the use of a well-balanced vitamin and mineral supplement provided in sufficient quantity helps provide the necessary fortification at this stage of gestation. A good feed balancer usually complements the nutrient intake from the feed and provides all the calcium and phosphorus required by the mare at this stage of gestation.

Last month of gestation

In the 11th and final month of gestation, the time has come, if it has not already been done, to feed the mare a complete feed formulated for the upcoming lactation needs.

It is important to start feeding this type of complete feed at least two or three weeks before the expected foaling date, which allows the mare’s digestive system to already be used to it by the time the foal arrives.

Studies have shown that a high intake of carbohydrates and starch in the mare’s diet at the end of gestation can increase the risk of developing orthopedic growth problems, such as osteochondrosis, epiphysitis, and contracted tendons. Choosing a feed intended for lactation and growth that is high in fiber and fat, and low in sugar and starch, promotes healthy bone development in the foal while reducing the incidence of digestive disorders in the mare. During the last month of gestation, it is often necessary to gradually increase the amount of feed given per day to the mare, unless of course she is too fat. As a reminder, body condition score is the main factor to consider when determining the daily caloric intake needed for a horse. Feeding a feed specifically formulated for the needs of lactating mares helps maintain an adequate body condition score for the mother, optimizes milk production, and increases its nutritional quality. As long as it is not excessive of course.

For personalized advice, do not hesitate to contact us; we will be happy to help.