For a breeder to be able to speak of breeding success and to produce healthy offspring, the environmental conditions must be optimised in addition to selecting the right genetics.
In addition to optimal husbandry conditions, a tailored feeding regime plays a crucial role in the reproductive health of broodmares and stud stallions. It has been proven that an unbalanced nutrient intake can affect breeding success.
Ensuring the mare receives an optimal nutritional intake has an epigenetic influence on the foal’s subsequent development, as the mare’s nutrient intake regulates the phenotypic expression of certain genes in the foal.
For this reason, the breeding mare’s diet should be adjusted several weeks before the planned mating date. Her subsequent diet during pregnancy and lactation must not only ensure the growing foal’s nutritional needs are met, but also maintain the breeding mare’s health.
Feeding stud stallions
Feeding the stud horse
Most stud stallions have to cope with a double workload: their performance is demanded not only by their role as studs, but also in competitive sport. Even young stallions, who are still growing or are even candidates for licensing, have specific requirements when it comes to their daily feed. In terms of micronutrient intake, this means that the stallion owner must ensure a generous supply. Not only strength, stamina and performance, but also sperm quantity and quality depend, amongst other things, on an optimal supply of nutrients. Sperm quality is enhanced by cellular building blocks (nucleotides) and antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, as well as the essential amino acids lysine and methionine. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids from oilseeds contribute to sperm motility.
Our advice for stallions under heavy use and in preparation for licensing:
HIGH PERFORMER
Performance and the body’s ability to recover
- Breeding: Improving fertility
- For sport horses: improved stamina and peak performance, greater balance and enthusiasm for work (doping-free)
- Regeneration: Supporting recovery, the immune system and tissue repair
MICROVITAL®
Trace element and vitamin supplement for horses with increased requirements
- Optimal bioavailability thanks to organically bound trace elements; rich in zinc, copper, manganese and selenium
- Optimised nutrient uptake through regulatory protein building blocks (nucleotides)
- Reliable balancing even with small quantities
Feeding broodmares
Preparing the broodmare for mating
Before mating, the broodmare should be in optimal physical condition, healthy and full of vigour, and in ideal physical shape. This is essential for successful fertilisation and subsequent pregnancy, birth and lactation. In addition to poor husbandry conditions and stress, being overweight or undernourished can lead to oestrus and fertility disorders. With regard to nutrient supply, β-carotene and vitamin E are particularly important, as they play a role in the development of follicles and ova (eggs) and promote normal oestrus behaviour. Furthermore, β-carotene and zinc are involved in the production of fertility hormones.
To improve the fertility of the broodmare, we recommend:
HIGH PERFORMER
Performance and the body’s ability to recover
- Breeding: Improving fertility
- For sport horses: improved stamina and peak performance, greater balance and enthusiasm for work (doping-free)
- Regeneration: Supporting recovery, the immune system and tissue repair
BETA-CAROTENE Mare-Y-Mix
In preparation for the breeding season
- To improve the fertility of the broodmare
- Improves the breeding performance of the stallion
- To compensate for a β-carotene deficiency before the start of the grazing season
MICROVITAL®
Trace element and vitamin supplement for horses with increased requirements
- Optimal bioavailability thanks to organically bound trace elements; rich in zinc, copper, manganese and selenium
- Optimised nutrient uptake through regulatory protein building blocks (nucleotides)
- Reliable balancing even with small quantities
Feeding the broodmare during the 1st to 8th month of pregnancy – Mare in late pregnancy
Our tip:
The gestation period in horses averages 336 (323–350) days and is largely dependent on feeding and feed intake. If the intake of energy and nutrients is insufficient, the pregnancy is at particular risk, especially during the first few months. If the nutritional deficiencies are too severe, this can, in the worst case, lead to the termination of the pregnancy.
The mare should therefore be provided with high-quality feed tailored to her needs during this period. Overfeeding or allowing the mare to become overweight should also be avoided, as this can lead to complications during foaling. In addition to an appropriate diet, sufficient free movement in the fresh air is recommended. Stress and strenuous exertion should be avoided!
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Feeding the broodmare from the 8th month of pregnancy onwards – Mare in late pregnancy
Foetal growth is exponential, with the highest growth rate expected in the final third of the gestation period. From this stage onwards, a broodmare feed specially tailored to her needs should be introduced.
At around the eighth month of pregnancy, the mare is gradually switched from her previous feed to a special „breeding mare diet“, as this is when the foetus begins to grow in size. For the mare, her nutritional intake during the final trimester of pregnancy and the subsequent lactation period is of particular importance to ensure that pregnancy, foaling and milk production proceed smoothly. For mares involved in competitive sport and older broodmares, the additional nutritional requirements arising from sporting performance and age must be taken into account!
As the foetus grows rapidly during the final three months of pregnancy, the mare’s requirement for calcium and phosphorus also increases, to allow these minerals to be deposited in the skeleton of the unborn foal. A calcium deficiency of approximately 50 % of the actual requirement can reduce the foal’s birth weight by 15 %. In addition, the mare’s protein requirements increase due to the significant build-up of protein in the muscles during foetal tissue development. Furthermore, the foetus’s development and vitality are determined by an adequate supply of copper, selenium and iodine. As the foal has no endogenous reserves of vitamins A and E at the time of birth, these must be provided via the mare’s milk and, consequently, through the mare’s diet. It is therefore essential to ensure an adequate supply of minerals and vitamins during pregnancy.
For mares that are very easy to overfeed or are overweight, a combination of the following is recommended:
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Any changes to the diet should be made gradually over a period of ten to 14 days.
Towards the end of pregnancy, the amount of hay should be approximately 2 kg per 100 kg of body weight. Particular attention should always be paid to the quality of the feed.
Before the birth
For one to two weeks before and after the birth, Makor It helps to relieve and relax the muscles, as well as supporting muscular exertion. Makor provides highly bioavailable magnesium compounds and natural vitamin E. Magnesium regulates muscle function and energy metabolism. Vitamin E improves oxygen supply to the cells. The need for these nutrients increases particularly during periods of high physical and mental stress, such as during childbirth.
One to two days before foaling, the amount of hay can be reduced slightly (approx. 1 kg of hay per 100 kg of body weight) so that the digestive tract is not too full at the time of foaling. Adjusting the amount of hay also helps to counteract the slight reduction in peristalsis caused by late pregnancy. This can be addressed by adding an easily digestible meal consisting of mash (Irish Mash or Glyx Mash) are supported in the period just before the birth.
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After the birth
Immediately after foaling, it is advisable to give the mare a mash feed. The mash helps the mare recover from the exertions of foaling, supports bowel function and ensures rapid rehydration. The mare’s concentrate ration should be kept moderate during the first few days after foaling so as not to overstimulate milk production. In the first two days, foals drink relatively little – an excess of milk can lead to diarrhoea. To ease the strain on the digestive tract, mash (Irish Mash or Glyx Mash) is again an ideal meal; it is also tasty and provides fluids.
The mare’s appetite and behaviour should be closely monitored. Once her digestion is back to normal, the amount of hay can be increased again.
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Lactation
Milk yield is expected to peak around the second month of lactation. An inadequate intake of energy and nutrients can reduce the mare’s milk yield. A lack of essential amino acids also affects the protein content of the mare’s milk, which in turn can have a negative impact on the foal’s development. Furthermore, there is a risk that the mare may lose weight due to excessive mobilisation of her body’s own reserves. To prevent this, the broodmare’s feed ration should be adjusted according to milk yield and, if necessary, increased further. Access to pasture should be ensured wherever possible, as access to fresh grass, fresh air and plenty of exercise supports the health and wellbeing of both the mare and the foal.
From the fifth month of lactation onwards, the breeding mare’s feed is gradually reduced. The mare can then be switched back to the concentrated feed she was previously accustomed to.
You can find further helpful information on breeding and rearing in our relevant articles:
Personal and non-binding
Feed advice
We would be happy to arrange a personal Feed advice and personalised Product combination available.
Please feel free to contact us about this, with no obligation
by telephone (switchboard): +49 6222 990 100
or email: info@st-hippolyt.de
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