The nutritional requirements of the mare during gestation.

Increased requirements

Requirements increase sharply in the second half of gestation, which usually begins in winter. This is a period when many horses already frequently need to supplement their forage.

Covering the needs of the mare and the unborn foal.

The mare's first priority is to ensure the foal's healthy development.

Slight weight loss will therefore not harm the foal, and the mare will recover with the spring grass.

On the other hand, if you notice that the mare is losing too much weight, is dismounting and has weakened hooves and manes, you can expect the following:

- Reconditioning will be longer and more difficult. This is annoying if you want to put the mare back to service later, or preserve her for a long career as a broodmare.

- The foetus does not have everything it needs to develop properly.

How do you go about covering both their needs?

High-quality grass and hay cover most of their needs.

It is advisable to supplement this intake by selecting more nutrient-dense feed.

While the mare's requirements in terms of protein (essential amino acids), minerals (copper, zinc, manganese, iron, selenium, etc.) and vitamins (E, A, D) explode towards the end of gestation, her dry matter intake capacity only increases by 30% because of the space taken up by the foetus.

Lastly, the individual characteristics of each mare should be taken into account when making the right supplements.

If your mare has delicate foalings with problems of placental retention and poor colostrum, it is advisable to select feed containing selenium combined with vitamin E.

Bio-Cheval's natural solutions

Our range of supplementary feeds for breeding includes two products specially designed to help cover the broodmare's increased needs.

Gestamix :

This increases the supply of quality proteins, minerals and vitamins.

The nutrients are optimally available to the body because they are plant matter (leaves, roots, flowers, etc.) that horses digest and use very well, as they are herbivores.

Gestamix also aims to support the mare's natural defences thanks to the Echinacea and Rose Hips it contains.

The Artichoke present in the composition promotes good digestion, for optimal use by the mare's body of the nutritional resources available.

Lactamix:

It contains two plants reputed to improve the quality of lactation: fennel and fenugreek.

This supplement also offers quality proteins, minerals and vitamins to keep the mare fit and healthy during lactation.

The aim of the composition is to increase the quantity and quality of milk, while protecting the brood mare as much as possible.