when to start feeding in foal TB mare

[dunc_n_toby]

Just wondered what the general oppinion is, my 3YO TB mare is in foal. Not due until mid July. She's roughed off and living out full time with a TO rug on(middleweight). I've just moved her into a paddock that has had 6 moths rest so the grass is great, the vet said that October's grass was as good as spring grass.
she's ok weight wise at the moment, but I'm wondering when to start with the hard feed. It's my first foal, Ive read many books which all say you should start giving them extra feed at approx 6 months, this won't be until February!
So what do you all think?

 

[glenruby]

Given the fact that the weather will be getting chilly soon and winter grass growth is never good from now on, Id start at around christmas - earlier if there is flooding between now and then. The 6mth idea is mostly used with early-mid season foalers but since yours is a late one, Id be inclined to help her through the roughest months of the winter with a little grub - only a small amount for the first month or so, then build it up at about the 6mth mark. If you think shes carrying plenty of weight and doesnt seem to be suffering from the cold wet weather then hold off for another while.

 

[JaneB]

Why not talk to one of the feed companies? I've used Baileys Stud Balancer in the past which you can feed all the way through preganancy to give all the protein, vitamins and minerals the mare needs to grow the foal. It doesn't provide any calories though so you could start it now even though she is ok condition-wise.

 

[amandaco2]

use a balancer if shes ok weight wise ad add in a cube/mix if she needs more weight
she needs the increased mineral and vitamin support.
baileys is great-i used the balancer on my TBx throught her whole pregancy and lactation.

 

[GatefieldHorses]

Our in foal 3 yr old dutch mare has been on hard feed for over a month now and shes due about same time as your tb and our tb mare las year was fed after a couple months of being in foal. On hi fi and stud balancer with just some economy mix to bulk it out.