Feeding the Mare & Foal, to give new baby the best start in life
It's that fabulous time of the year when many new gorgeous little foals are brought into the world. Here Robert Fowler from The Pure Feed Company gives us some insights into feeding the Mare & Foal, to give new baby the best start in life.
Getting the dietary balance right for breeding mares and newborn foals is essential in order to supply adequate nutrients for the mare to produce milk and the foal to develop correctly.
Once the foal is born, it is extremely important to ensure that he receives the mother's colostrum within the first 8-12 hours of being born. This contains vital antibodies which will serve to help protect the foal from infectious diseases.
The mother's milk will be the primary source of nutrients and energy for the next 3 months and during this time, the mare's energy requirements increase by up to 70% and protein requirements increase up to 60% in relation to late pregnancy. A specific stud feed containing high energy, protein, calcium and vitamin A especially, must be provided, as lactation drains vital resources out of the body and diet must compensate for this. In terms of condition, the mare should be maintained between 5 and 6 on the body scoring scale, as weight fluctuations can affects the re-breeding status of the mare. And of course, water must be available at all times, since the mare may be producing up to 15-20l of milk per day during peak lactation.
It is not until the mare's milk supply begins to drop off after around 3 to 4 months that the foal will need to have a supply of alternative feed other than sampling the mother's feed and nibbling grass. This feed needs to give the foal the correct balance of energy, vitamins, nutrients and minerals, ensuring a steady growth rate and an adequate supply of everything a growing foal requires. At around 6 months, the foal is usually weaned and a feed for this specific purpose (containing around 15% protein) should be supplied to ensure he gets the correct nutrients. It is important to ensure that from birth to weaning and then on into its first year, the foal is not receiving too much energy through starch, as an oversupply of carbohydrate and energy in the diet can lead to growth disturbances.
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