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What should I feed my mare?
Dry mares in early gestation can basically be fed like any other mature, idle horse. Good quality pasture or hay along with a supplement such as Purina® Free Balance 12:12 vitamin/mineral supplement or Enrich Plus® Ration Balancing horse feed may be all that is necessary to meet these mares’ nutritional requirements.
What is the most important nutrient for horses?
Water
Water is the MOST IMPORTANT nutrient; horses can’t live long without it! Always make sure there is an adequate, clean supply of water. Horses generally drink about 2 quarts of water for every pound of hay they consume.
What are 5 nutritional requirements for horses?
Basic Nutrients. When feeding horses, it is important to recognize that there are six basic nutrient categories that must be met: carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. Often, feed companies will balance the first five nutrients for us; however, it is critical not to forget about water.
What are the nutrient requirements for a pregnant mare?
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 can I feed my mare to produce more milk?
Mares need energy and high-quality protein for milk production (14% crude protein grain mix). Generally an increase in grain volume will supply more energy. 2. Low lactating mares consuming fescue pasture or hay may benefit from a veterinary-prescribed paste marketed as Equi-tox to increase milk production.
How can I help my mare dry up?
Many horsemen recommend taking the mare off grain completely, or significantly cutting back on the grain ration, for at least several days after weaning to help her “dry up.” Allow her to have free-choice grass hay or pasture during this time, along with salt, a vitamin/mineral supplement and unlimited clean, fresh …
What protein do horses eat?
Adult horses need protein only for repair and maintenance of body tissues, so their total requirement is fairly low. Many mature horses get all the protein they need (about 10% of the diet, on average) from grass or hay. Owners can confirm that this need is met by having pastures and hay analyzed.
What horse feed is high in protein?
Which horses need high quality protein?
| Name | Crude Protein (%) | Lysine (g/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Black Sunflower Seeds | 29 | 5.1 |
| Soybean Hulls | 12 | 4.7 |
| Sugarbeet Pulp | 9 | 4.0 |
| C3 Type Grass Hay | 11 | 3.8 |
What are six classes of nutrition?
There are six major nutrients: Carbohydrates (CHO), Lipids (fats), Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals, Water. Looking at the AGHE, what food groups are the primary sources of each of the following?
How many calories does a pregnant mare need?
The mare requires 792 kCal to produce a kg of milk (2.2 lbs.) as well as Ca, P, and other trace elements. Energy intake is critical in lactating mares and may be limiting to reproductive efficiency. The nutrition of the broodmare should be guided by body condition.
What percent of carbohydrates does a pregnant mare need?
Therefore, adequate nutrition of the mare is critical for normal fetal development. In late gestation the mare should receive about 1.5 to 2.0 percent of her body weight in total feed daily.
Why do lactating mares require more calcium?
Minerals and vitamins are important for the mare. If the mare’s diet is not adequate in minerals, she can lose bone density due to mobilization of minerals from her bone. Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), among other minerals are needed for increased bone growth of the fetus.
How does the nutrition of a mare affect the foal?
The nutrition of the mare affects growth and development of the foal both in utero and via milk production. These effects carry over through 12 months or more. In one study, 15 one-day-old foals fed milk replacer for 7 weeks were compared with five foals that nursed their dams.
How much milk can a mare produce in a day?
Mares can produce 11.8 kg of milk per day or 2.3% of their body weight during the first 30 days of lactation.
When does a mare start to digest grain?
The extreme demands for glucose during early lactation may represent a time when feeds with higher glycemic responses would benefit the mare and foal. Foals can begin digesting grain within 10 days to 2 weeks of birth.
What’s the difference between Mare nursed and replacer fed foals?
The differences between mare-nursed and replacer-fed foals in serum IGF-I concentrations persisted to 1 year of age, when the serum IGF-I concentration of mare-nursed foals was 48% higher than that of replacer-fed foals.