Feeding the Broodmare

Question 1

What should be considered for a broodmare?

Answer 1

• cycle polyoestrous (seasonal) (cycle when daylight increases)
  -ovulation =21 days
  -receptibility is 2-8 days
• phytoestrogen = disrupts cycle

Question 2

How should a broodmare be fed in the early stage of pregnancy (1-5 months)?

Answer 2

The same as maintanace

Question 3

How should a broodmare be fed at mid-pregnancy to term?

Answer 3

• a slow increase of de, cp, lysine and minerals
  -appetite will decrease to 1.4% of body weight
  -restriction of protein will cause weight loss, early foetal loss and a slow return to cycling postpartum
• ad-lib forage
  -concentrate should be 35% of feed

Question 4

How should a mare be fed 24- hours post partum?

Answer 4

a light feed of quality hay and a low energy compound cereal mix

Question 5

How should the broodmare be fed at lactation?

Answer 5

• appetite increases to 2% of body weight
  -cp should not be restricted (causes weight loss and reduced milk production)
• de, cp, lysine and minerals should be greatly increased in the first month and then slowly reduced as the months go on
  -quality forage should be used (not alfalfa)

Question 6

what happens after 3 months of lactation?

Answer 6

• milk production declines
  -levels of compound feed should decline
  forage should be increased to substitute the lack of compound feed in the diet.