How to Keep Your Pregnant Mare in Top Condition

A Step-by-Step Guide for Pregnancy & Lactation Prep

🟢 STEP 1: Start with the Right Body Condition

✔️ Goal: Slightly above ideal

• The mare should not be thin going into pregnancy.

• A soft, rounded appearance over the ribs and hips is ideal — not fat, but with reserves.

• Underweight mares are hard to “catch up” later, especially once lactation begins.
  

📌 Why it matters: A mare who foals in poor condition is likely to lose more weight postpartum and struggle to regain it, even with extra feed.

🟢 STEP 2: Keep It Simple for the First Two Trimesters

✔️ Feed a consistent base diet of high-quality grass hay or pasture.
✔️ Maintain 10–12% protein — avoid “feeding for two” early on.
✔️ No need for extra grain or high-protein feeds.

🛑 Avoid early overfeeding.
It can:

• Stress kidneys

• Cause excess weight gain

• Harm fetal development

• Increase laminitis risk
  
  

🟢 STEP 3: Feed for Gut Health

✔️ Keep free-choice forage available all day
✔️ Avoid meal-feeding large rations twice a day

Why?
Horses are trickle feeders with no gallbladder. They need a steady flow of fiber for:

• Digestive stability

• Ulcer prevention

• Healthy nutrient absorption
  

As the foal grows, stomach space shrinks. Multiple small meals and constant access to hay are non-negotiable.

🟢 STEP 4: Begin Gradual Diet Adjustments in Month 8

Around 8 months gestation, start increasing:

• Grain/concentrates

• Protein- not to exceed 14% except possibly Thoroughbreds

• Calcium- maintain balance ratio with phosphorus
  

•  Split grain feedings into 2–3 feedings/day to reduce digestive stress. Adjust for size, breed, and individual needs.
  
  

🟢 STEP 5: Balance Calcium & Phosphorus

🎯 Target ratio: 1.5:1 (Calcium : Phosphorus)
Most grass hay and grains are too low in calcium.

✅ Add a portion of Alfalfa Hay (Legume) to balance the calcium and add protein

• Introduce slowly if she’s not used to it

• Don’t overdo it — too much alfalfa = high protein & calcium overload
  

✅ Supplement with Chelated Calcium if needed

• Example: 3–4 tbsp/day of calcium carbonate (last trimester)

• Best to consult a vet or equine nutritionist for proper balance
  
  

🟢 STEP 6: Adjust Protein the Right Way

🎯 Final trimester protein target: 12–14%

• Avoid going over 14% — can stress kidneys and impact foal health

• Only increase as needed based on the mare’s size, breed, and condition
  

• Exception: Thoroughbreds may need up to 16%
  

📌 Use grain or concentrates to meet protein needs — not alfalfa alone.

🟢 STEP 7: Prioritize Fiber Over Carbs

✅ Grass hay > sweet feed

• Fiber maintains gut motility

• Too many carbs = risk of colic or laminitis

⚠️ Spring pasture can be too low in fiber, continue to offer hay to ensure proper fiber intake

🟢 STEP 8: Add Fat ( If additional calories are needed)

If your mare is:

• Losing weight

• Has a dull coat

• Not improving despite enough feed

• And a veterinary exam does not reveal any physical issue for poor condition
  
  

💡 Add vegetable oil or equine-specific fat supplements gradually:

• Start with ½ oz/day

• Increase by ½ oz every few days

• Max: ~16 oz/day (watch for loose stools — that’s her limit)
  
  

🟢 STEP 9: Know What to Avoid

❌ Overfeeding energy – leads to laminitis risk
❌ Too much alfalfa – protein/calcium overload
❌ Feeding low fiber – increases colic risk
❌ Ignoring feed quality – watch for mold, mycotoxins, and fescue
❌ Fescue grass in last 60 days – causes weak foals, no milk, prolonged gestation

🌿 Remove mares from fescue pasture & fescue hay 60 days before foaling.

🟢 STEP 10: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

Once lactation starts, if the mare is underweight, you're playing catch-up.
A mare that begins losing condition after foaling can be extremely difficult to recover — and her foal may suffer as a result.

✅ Set her up early
✅ Adjust with purpose
✅ Keep forage flowing
✅ Balance nutrients
✅ Watch body condition closely
✅ Get help from a vet/nutritionist when needed

🧾 Final Checklist: Is Your Mare On Track?

✅ Body condition slightly above ideal
✅ Quality forage available 24/7
✅ Balanced grain + fiber diet (not carb-heavy)
✅ Proper calcium & phosphorus ratio
✅ Protein and calories increasing slowly in 3rd trimester
✅ Safe from fescue exposure or removed and on a dry lot during last 90 days of pregnancy
✅ Optional fat added if needed
✅ All changes made gradually
✅ Regular health checks (teeth- , parasites, etc.) Try to complete dental adjustments prior to pregnancy as any work on teeth can release bacteria into the bloodstream