Feeding Your Third Trimester Broodmare
As we turn the corner into January, we very quickly realize that foaling season will soon be upon us. If your mares haven't already entered their last trimester (between 7-8 months pregnant), it's soon approaching. Bring on the stressful excitement.
With this realization, comes the nececssity to re evaluate your broodmares diet to ensure her prescious cargo is developing into a strong and healthy four legged bundle of joy. The level of nutrition that you foal receives during the last trimester will follow them for the rest of their lives.
Secondly, ensuring your mare has sufficient stores and nutrition to provide top notch post partum meals is a task that needs considered long before baby arrives as nutritional demands are greatest in the last trimester and a drained Momma can quickly struggle to produce quality milk. Foals are gaining approximately 1lb/d during the last trimester, which means your broodmare needs to be able to provide for that as well as keep herself in the body condition score of 5-6.
Nutritional changes during the last Trimester
In general the protein and energy requirements increase approximately 25%, and trace mineral requirements change as the foal requires them for proper development.
As the foal grows, and takes up more space, the mare is often reluctant to consume the same quantity of feed, so ensuring quality in smaller portions is paramount. Nutrient dense concentrates like Paddock Tree Concentrate, that proived a high quality protein, as well as organic trace minerals, and safe calories should be considered by any breeder wanting the absolute best for their mare and foal.
It's very important to physically be evaluating the body condition score of your broodmare over the course of the last trimester as their enlarged belly can be deceptive when it comes to condition. Specifically paying attention to whether or not you can feel ribs, and evelauting the coat and hoof condition.
When making changes to accomodate your mares needs for the third trimester, changes should be made slowly over several weeks, while evaluating along the way. Connect with your veterinarian or a qualified nutritionist if you have questions or concerns about what balance is right for you.
