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How a mare’s nutritional needs change during lactation A mare in milk has significantly higher nutritional demands than a mare that is open, pregnant early, or resting. The reason is simple: lactation takes a steady stream of nutrients, especially energy, amino acids, minerals, and water. During this lactation stage , the mare’s energy needs go up and her protein needs grow so she can maintain body condition while supporting the foal. The feeding goal is
Why Is Broodmare Nutrition Unique? A broodmare’s diet is not the same as feeding a horse for everyday maintenance, training, or stallion condition. A mare’s needs change through pregnancy and lactation, and the right horse feed has to feed both her body and the unborn foal. The goal is a balanced ration that supports a healthy body condition score, supports foal development, and keeps the mare fit enough for milk production after foaling. In early pregnancy, many mare
How horses prone to colic horses benefit from a careful feeding strategy Colic isn't a single condition, but a general term for abdominal pain in horses. As the equine digestive system is so precisely balanced, even small feeding mistakes can affect digestion and increase the risk of colic . A horse that is already sensitive may react to sudden changes in ration , meal timing, forage quality, or concentrate choice much more quickly than a resilient horse. The
Concentrates vs horse feed: a straightforward distinction The easiest way to explain horse feed and concentrates is this: horse feed is the umbrella term for all feed given to a horse, while concentrates are a special category of feed designed to supply extra energy , protein , or other nutrients in a more compact portion than forage. Forage forms the foundation of most equine diets. It includes grass, hay, haylage, and other fibrous feeds that provide
Which horse feed supports joint health best? The best horse feed for joint health is one that supports mobility , keeps the diet forage-based , and avoids unnecessary spikes in starch level and sugar level . There is not one perfect option for every horse, but the most useful feeds tend to be those that help maintain a healthy body condition score , provide good digestibility , and fit the horse’s workload, age, and overall condition. For many horses,
Why Fiber Does in a Horse's Diet Fiber is a key part of a healthy equine ration. In horse feed, fiber aids digestion, helps maintain stable energy, and nourishes the microbes that live in the hindgut. Those microbes digest forage into usable nutrients, which is why fiber is so closely tied to gut health. Unlike starch and sugar, fiber is not mainly about quick energy. Instead, digestible fiber provides a slower, steadier source of fuel. That matters for horses that ne
Concentrates vs horse feed: the basic difference The easiest way to explain horse feed and concentrates is this: horse feed is the umbrella term for all feed given to a horse, while concentrates are a specific type of feed designed to provide extra energy , protein , or other nutrients in a smaller volume than forage. Forage is at the core of most equine diets. It includes grass, hay, haylage, and other fibrous feeds that provide roughage and support t
The right amount of grain in a horse diet depends on the horse’s size, workload, body condition score, and what the rest of the ration already provides through forage. In many cases, horse feed grain should be a addition, not the foundation of the diet. A basic starting point is this: feed grain only when hay, pasture, and a balanced horse feed are not meeting the horse’s energy needs. For an ordinary mature horse in maintenance, that may mean little to no grain. For