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Neonatal foals get virtually all their nourishment from their dam for the first few weeks of life, and a large percentage of their nutritional needs for several months also come directly from the mare. Newborn foals nurse seven to ten times an hour, taking in small amounts of milk each time. These tiny sips add up, helping the foal pack on 15 to 20 pounds a week during its first month of life. With the mare supplying the energy and protein for this rate of growth, it’s essential to recognize that her own nutritional requirements increase during lactation.

Lactating mares should have access to as much forage as they will consume, and this may reach an amount exceeding 3.5% of their body weight. Hay should be provided if good pasture is not available. Alfalfa (lucerne) hay is beneficial for broodmares that have trouble holding their weight, as it contains high levels of energy and protein.

Easy-keeping mares on excellent pasture may be able to maintain their weight while they are nursing a foal, but most mares will need supplementary grain to keep them from losing condition. At a recent equine nutrition conference, Joe Pagan, Ph.D., president of Kentucky Equine Research, said that lactating mares can use as much energy as a racehorse in training. To produce enough milk for fast-growing foals while maintaining their own condition, they should be fed a concentrate formulated for broodmares. Broodmare managers should follow feeding directions on the feed bag to be sure the mare gets adequate levels of protein and fortification.

For mares that begin to lose condition even though they are eating large quantities of concentrate, managers can add a fat source such as oil or stabilized rice bran to the diet. Fat contains many more calories per pound than grain and can deliver a high level of energy without greatly increasing the amount the mare must eat. Fat should be introduced gradually to the diet, beginning with a small amount and increasing over seven to 10 days.

A broodmare in heavy lactation can produce four or five gallons of milk daily, so a constant supply of fresh water is essential. Mares should also have access to salt.

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