Diet for Mare due in Late March

[stonehedge]

Hi there, I have a mare due in late March or early April... we don't know the exact date as we were told she wasn't in foal when we bought her early last summer... and low and behold she is. I was reading the subject line on Supplementation and noticed that people said to increse their feed in the&nbsp; last trimester.&nbsp;I am now feeding about&nbsp;2lbs of Phase II Mare and foal 2 x daily, my friend who has had babies&nbsp; before said I am in grave danger of making babies legs too long or too big....what is the truth. This is our 1st baby and it is getting closer. I need to know how to best provide her with the right diet. This is really exciting but also quite stressfull too. Any other suggestions would also be appreciated.&nbsp;Thanks so much!<IMG src="smileys/smiley5.gif" border="0">&nbsp;

[Patricia]

Genetics is what decides on the length of the babies legs.&nbsp; I have never heard of such a thing....LOL!&nbsp; Although, you should contact the feed Mfg. and they can recommend the correct amount to feed a mare in foal...based on your mare's type.&nbsp; I gradually increase feed.&nbsp; Although you do not want an obese mare it is a strain on her and delivering a healthy baby.&nbsp; She should also be on a regular deworming schedule.&nbsp; Mare should have her vaccination one month prior to foaling so her immunity is passed on to the foal and deworming the month before also.&nbsp; I actually feed less feed in the last couple of weeks.&nbsp; The mare often gets uncomfortable...continue to offer lots of hay and plenty of water.&nbsp; Their water consumption will increase as they will start to produce milk.&nbsp; You gradually increase feed as baby grows--it is a little late now.&nbsp; I also supplement with&nbsp;vitamins&nbsp; Equalizer from Purina from about 5 months on.&nbsp; If you have never had a mare foal I would recommend doing some reading and be prepared for what is ahead.&nbsp; Good Luck!

[Ruth]

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Remember to feed the mare you have, the amounts that are recommended on a bag won't necessarily be good amounts for your mare. Right now we have Baxter who is an OK keeper and due May 4 on (small scoop)1/4 scoop HFHF, 1/4 scoop 12%, 1/2 scoop 14%, 1 scoop BP and a cup of Equilizer. Gradually I'll eliminate the 12%. I don't believe in feeding pregos more than 14% protein (my hay isn't higher than that either), but that is just MO, and others differ on that point. Now Allie who is due June 23 only gets a handful of 12% right now because she is a fat little missy. I'll switch her over to 14% and add Equilizer and a little HFHF in mid-March. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Studies have shown that feeds like HFHF and BP can improve immunity transfer and reduce the risk of post-foaling colic so I like to include them. I, however am no expert. Perhaps we could hear from our learned friend Jakesterd who is a wealth of information on nutrition.

[stonehedge]

Thanks for your info. just so you know I am feeding her&nbsp;Phase II mare and foal about 2lbs 2x daily and she is on free range hay as much as she can eat.. I spoke with my vet and he was the one who suggested her feed and the amt. and I have been slowly increasing her. We also feed flax and kelp to all the horses so she is getting that and they also have access to water all the time. It is just when my friend said to stop grain in the last month I thought that didn't add up. I have been reading all I can get my hands on, but I find you get a very well-rounded set of opinions on a forum like this and not just the authors. This mare is a good size and seems to be all baby she doesn't seem to fat to me but then again I haven't done this before... The vet is coming next week to do her vaccines because we really don't know for sure when she is due. ANy other suggestions are more than welcome as I can use all the advise I can get. I think I am doing most things ok but it is nice to get other opinions.<IMG src="smileys/smiley14.gif" border="0">
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[Ruth]

I was wrong about it being the HFHF & BP that enhance immunity transfer and reduce post-foaling colic, it is actually supplementing with oil that has been shown to do that. Sorry for the bad info!

[Patricia]

For information only.&nbsp; My warmblood cross mare was such an easy keeper I kept her on a small amount of Hi fat Hi fibre...according to nutritionist/Vet.&nbsp; I also supplemented with Equalizer...and gradually increased feed.&nbsp; Let her settle into her foaling stall early to get accustomed to the change...we usually give her a double stall by taking out the wall.&nbsp; I put her on straw near foaling time.&nbsp; Check her for waxing up and milk coming in.&nbsp; Get a foaling kit together of all the thing you need handy and ready nearby.&nbsp; I also bathe her in the udder area and get her accustomed to being handled down there.&nbsp; You want her to accept the foal...After foaling I give the mare a bran mash to get things moving and don't feed too much grain till her systems adjusts.&nbsp;

[amadeo]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Phase 1 and 2 make the joints grow too fast, or that's what we've found. And since we're a breeding barn, and considering the lines we use, taking a chance probably isn't a good idea. So I don't suggest using either of the Phases. But, that's my own opinion.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Leena]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#So...is baby born ??????#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#&nbsp;#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#&nbsp;#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Leena#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#