1. Feeding Breeding Stock
Broodmares & Stallions

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The Broodmare
Classes of Broodmares
Feeding the Bred Mare
Feeding the Lactating Mare
The Stallion
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3. Classes of Broodmares

4. Classes of Broodmares
A broodmare is a female being used or is going to be used for breeding purposes…
There are different subcategories of broodmares based on if they have been previously pregnant, currently pregnant, or are lactating
These categories will dictate dietary needs

5. Classes of Broodmares Types of Broodmares
If the mare is going to be bred, a diet consisting of slightly higher levels of Protein, Ca, and P is recommended
These types of broodmares can be fed the same as other nonpregnant, nonlacting horses – a maintenance diet consisting of quality hay and pasture will meet most needs
Maiden
Mares that have never been bred or pregnant
Barren
Mares that are not currently pregnant

6. Classes of Broodmares Types of Broodmares
These types of broodmares will have higher nutritional needs in order to meet both their needs and the growing foal
Pregnant / In Foal
Lactating
Producing milk

7. Feeding Challenge
The biggest challenge we encounter when feeding a broodmare, whether it is pregnant or lactating, is regulating body condition
The body condition of the mare can heavily impact a successful pregnancy and foaling
We do not want the mare getting too skinny or fat
The ideal body condition for a broodmare is a 6

8. Knowledge Check
Maiden or barren mares can be fed the same as other nonpregnant, nonlactating horses
True
False
Incorrect
Since maiden or barren mares are not carrying a foal, their nutrient needs will be lower and can be fed like other nonpregnant, nonlactating horses. If the mare is planning to be bred, then we might increase her needs slightly
Correct!

9. The ideal body condition score for a broodmare is
Knowledge Check
The ideal body condition score for a broodmare is 4 3 5 6
Incorrect, Try Again
Incorrect, Try Again
Correct!
Incorrect, Try Again

10. Feeding the Bred Mare

11. Bred Mare Considerations
Nutrition during pregnancy is vital for fetus development and proper milk production
When the mare is pregnant we think about feeding for 2, which leads to overfeeding
Once the mare foals, we overlook the stress lactating has on the mare and tend to underfeed
The most common nutrition error we have with broodmares is overfeeding the pregnant mare and underfeeding the lactating mare

12. Stages of the Pregnant Mare
In order to best meet the nutrient needs of a pregnant mare, we break up gestation and foaling into three stages…
1st 2/3 of pregnancy
Gestation is 11 months
Last 3 months
Lactation
Each one of these stages is going to have slightly different nutrient requirements

13. First 8 Months of Pregnancy
Contrary to popular belief, the fetus does not grow at a constant rate throughout the 11 months of pregnancy…
Remember that body condition needs to be consistent – losing condition will make it more difficult to breed the mare back and too much will cause difficulty during foaling
During this time, a maintenance diet of quality forage will be sufficient unless body condition needs improvement
Even at 7 months, the fetus equals less than 2% of the mare’s weight

14. Last 3 months
The last three months or trimester is the most important time for fetal growth
The fetus will increase 1 lb/day during this time, accounting for 2/3 of growth

15. Last 3 months
Because of the large increase in fetal growth, the mare’s dietary needs are going to increase…
Rations will go from 80 – 90% forage to 70% forage and 30% concentrate
Based on the breeding season for a Thoroughbred, when does the last trimester occur?
Remember to always evaluate the forage and adjust the diet as needed to make up for poor quality
During winter, when pasture is lacking and hay may be lacking due to long storage or scarcity

16. Feed Example - Broodmare
Many feeds that are acceptable for growing horses are often labeled for breeding stock due to higher levels of DE, protein, Ca, P, and trace minerals
If a mare needs more condition we can look into a fat supplemented feed in order to increase body reserves

17. Last Trimester Nutrients
We want to be evaluating and adjusting the diet slowly but consistently – we don’t want to get to the lactation stage and have the mare still receiving early pregnancy DE levels – the goal is to stay in front of the curve!
Notice which categories have higher nutrient needs and how it works in a stair-step fashion

18. The most common error with the pregnant mare is underfeeding
Knowledge Check
The most common error with the pregnant mare is underfeeding
True
False
Incorrect
The most common error we see with broodmares is overfeeding the pregnant mare and underfeeding the lactating mare
Correct!

19. Which stage is going to have the greatest nutrient increase?
Knowledge Check
Which stage is going to have the greatest nutrient increase?
1st 3 months
4th – 5th month
6th – 7th month
Last 3 months
Incorrect, Try Again
Incorrect, Try Again
Correct!
Incorrect, Try Again

20. Feeding the Lactating Mare

21. Lactating Mares
Lactation causes the mare to have significant increases in nutrient requirements…
Their needs are greater than any other class of horse except those in very heavy exercise
The mare must recover from:
Stress of birthing
Producing milk
Re-breeding

22. Lactating Mares
Lactation causes the mare to have significant increases in nutrient requirements…
Their needs are greater than any other class of horse except those in very heavy exercise
A mare will have increases in:
Water
Protein
Energy
Ca & P
A lactating mare’s energy needs increase 80% above maintenance requirements!

23. Stress of Lactation
A normal healthy mare will produce about 3% of body weight in milk per day during the 1st three months
That is 30lbs for a 1,000lbs broodmare!
Failure to meet the mare’s nutrient needs will affect body condition, milk production, and ability to successfully be rebred

24. Feed Example – Lactating Mare
At weaning, reduce the feed further to assist her in “drying up” from milk production
As the mare’s milk production decreases (reaching the 3rd month of lactation), her feed intake should as well

25. Knowledge Check
The needs of the lactating mare are greater than any other class of horse except those in very heavy exercise
True
False
Incorrect
Lactation is an extremely stressful process on the mare and requires the greatest increase in nutrient requirements, especially in energy
Correct!

26. Knowledge Check
The mare will produce ___% of body weight in milk per day during the 1st 3 months 1 3 2 4
Incorrect, Try Again
Incorrect, Try Again
Correct!
Incorrect, Try Again

27. Feeding the Breeding Stallion

28. The Breeding Stallion
The breeding stallion is an intact male whose purpose is to breed
Based on the purpose, the main nutrient increase a breeding stallion faces is energy
Frankel
The amount of exercise, temperament, and number of covers (breedings) can affect the DE required
A breeding stallion’s energy requirements are similar to those under light or moderate exercise
Giant’s Causeway

29. The Breeding Stallion
A breeding stallion typically covers mares during a certain part of the year and then has the remaining time off…
Nutrition then can be based on the stallion’s two phases:
Breeding season (Feb. – July)
Off-season

30. Meeting the Needs
During the off season, high quality forage will meet the majority of the stallion’s needs
Prior to breeding or during the breeding season, concentrate may be needed to maintain body condition
The ideal body condition score is 5 – 6
Fat supplemented feeds are beneficial for the stallion because it might reduce excitability
Sources of Omega 3 might also be helpful in improving sperm quality and motility

31. Overfeeding
While the stallion seems fairly simple, they are a difficult class to feed because the most common issue is overfeeding
Regular exercise, such as hand walking or even riding if the horse is sound, can make the stallion easier to handle and help with weight loss
Depending on the management, some stallions also do not always receive a good deal of turnout time that allows for free exercise
One of the difficulties is judging energy intake, we often overcompensate and that results in a heavier horse
Obesity predisposes the stallion to:
Laminitis
Soundness issues (particularly in the hind legs)
Fatal aortic rupture
Possible lower libido
Utilize the overweight nutritional strategies discussed in the body condition scoring lecture to correct this issue

32. Nutrient Needs
Notice the slight increases in energy and protein when going from off season to breeding season

33. The main nutrient increase for the breeding stallion is energy
Knowledge Check
The main nutrient increase for the breeding stallion is energy
True
False
Incorrect
Covering/breeding mares is a physical activity, so the main nutrient increase for a breeding stallion is energy – they will have similar energy needs as a horse in light or moderate exercise (depending on temperament)
Correct!

34. Underfeeding is a common issue with the breeding stallion
Knowledge Check
Underfeeding is a common issue with the breeding stallion
True
False
Incorrect
Overfeeding is a common issue with the breeding stallion – this can be from misjudging the energy required or from inadequate exercise
Correct!

35. Finish

36. Quiz Password
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