Feeding the Pregnant Mare

[AmyMay]

Ok folks - after a little advice.

I had a very interesting and useful discussion with another forum member some time ago about the issues of feeding an extremely good doer that's pregnant.

However, would be interested on others views. My friend on whose farm Amy lives is of the opinion that she won't need any additional feeding (experienced breeder). However, I'm not convicnced. Amy's weight is excellent, is now on ad lib haylage pm.

Opinions welcome.

 

[lucysnapshot]

My mare is due march and she gets 2 feeds of 1.5lb stud mix, scoop of limestone flour, 1/2lb sugar beet and 1/2lb alfa a as well as carrots, she gets ad-lib haylage and is thriving on this. she's going to stud to have her baby and when i checked about feeding, they feed the same as i do!

 

[AmyMay]

What breeding is she Lucy?? Amy's a very bog standard native.

 

[lucysnapshot]

Iv just posted pics of her in gallery. I havnt a clue!

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Iv just posted pics of her in gallery. I havnt a clue!

[/ QUOTE ]
Little TB type I'd say.

 

[lucysnapshot]

I think she's got tb in her but possibly new forrest as she gets quite hairy

 

[Scarlett1980]

You should have a look at www.winergy.com and download the pdf called "Growing the young horse successfully". I found it really helpful.

As a rule they say you should feed them more during the last 3 months of gestation as this is when the foal is growing most. If Amy is in good condition look for a low calorie feed that has the vits and mins needed for breeding but stay away from mixes and cubes as these produce a glyceamic response which isn't ideal for growing horses.

Read that pdf if you can, it's really good.

Good luck x

 

[Scarlett1980]

Oh, also if you email winergy.equilibrium@effem-equine.com they will send you a leaflet on it and do you a diet specifically for Amy.

 

[buddly]

we have a preganant mare who is in last three months she is also a good doer i spoke to spillers who said there was a low calorie feed that would be good for her as gave her all vits etc without to much fat it is baileys stud balancer previously grow n win they also gave a chart of 2lbs for last three months split up into several feeds then first three months lactation 4.5lbs then last three months 3.5 lb if that helps at all but i will vary this depending on what she looks like on it

 

[Scarlett1980]

SPILLERS still make Gro 'N Win. Baileys brought out Stud Balancer when SPILLERS bought BUCKEYE which is the company that makes Gro 'N Win.

People I know who have used both still think that Gro 'N Win is the best out of the two.

I'm really suprised SPILLERS advised a Baileys product!

 

[sleepingdragon10]

Maybe have a look at Dodson&Horrell's Suregrow. That's specifically for the native type mare and can be fed in very small quantities so that the mare gets all the vits etc needed without too many extra calories.
Maybe give them a ring and see what they say?

Bethxx

 

[Tia]

Yes we have Grow'N'win - it is supposed to be a really good feed although I am not sure I see a vast difference between those fed it and those who aren't.

Buckeye's research is apparently fabulous though and heads and tails above the opposition over here.

 

[TURBOBERT]

I have my daughters half bred (very good doer) on Speedibeet, Alfa Oil and Top Spec comprehensive balancer and she looks a million dollars. She is due to foal in early May and Top Spec say keep her on the same unless she start to lose weight on her top line. I am more worried about Laminitis in the Spring!!!

 

[Scarlett1980]

Buckeye, Spillers and Winergy all use the same research facility which is called Waltham Equine Studies Group because they are owned by Mars Inc.

I went to a conference they held last year which was brilliant and now I would only ever buy one of their products over here. The winergy ones in particular are amazing - much better than anything else we hav, actually most of the research for them looks like it was done in the US!

 

[amandaco2]

grown n win or baileys stud balancer and forage for mine from conception to 2years.

 

[AmyMay]

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grown n win or baileys stud balancer and forage for mine from conception to 2years.

[/ QUOTE ]
It was the conversation that you and I had that I was referring to - LOL. Definately going with the Baileys after your very helpful pm before Christmas - if I do feed.

 

[S_N]

Yep, she'll need extra, but only in balancer form if she's a very good doer. Sounds to me like you are sorted hun. I've never used or worked anywhere that used the Gro n' win, so I can't recommend that from personal experience of it, but have heard good things aobut it, other than on here. I've always used D&H Sure Grow - using it atm!

 

[S_N]

Just had a thought - you really DON'T want her foaling overweight! You can feed the balancer with Alfa-A Lite/Hi Fi Lite (depending if she will eat the hi fi lite) and nothing else, if you are really worried about her weight. I say this about the weight, as I was recently told about a study that was published, I think last year, that concluded that VERY overweight mares had an increased likelihood of dystocia.

 

[AmyMay]

Many thanks for your input all.

Greatly appreciated.

 

[TURBOBERT]

Whaaaaaaaaat?Another horrendous complaint?

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
Whaaaaaaaaat?Another horrendous complaint?

[/ QUOTE ]
Eh?

 

[sallyf]

Its not a complaint as such.
It just means that your mare is more likely to have a difficult birth re mispresented ,not such good contractions ,possible hypoxia which is oxygen startvation than a mare in normal condition.

 

[no_no_nanette]

Help! What is dystocia??!!! As owner of mare foaling in May, immediately start to panic - is this something else to worry about??!! Please give us more info, SportzNite!